TSN 10-Q Quarterly Report June 27, 2015

TSN 10-Q Quarter ended June 27, 2015

TYSON FOODS, INC.

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10-Q 1 tsn2015q310q.htm TYSON FOODS, INC. FORM 10-Q TSN 2015 Q3 10Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q



x	Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 27, 2015



¨	Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from to

001-14704

(Commission File Number)

______________________________________________

TYSON FOODS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

______________________________________________



Delaware		71-0225165
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2200 Don Tyson Parkway, Springdale, Arkansas		72762-6999
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(479) 290-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 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 x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of June 27, 2015 .



Class		Outstanding Shares
Class A Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value (Class A stock)		304,359,140
Class B Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value (Class B stock)		70,010,805

TYSON FOODS, INC.

INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION



		PAGE
Item 1.	Financial Statements

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended June 27, 2015, and June 28, 2014	2

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended June 27, 2015, and June 28, 2014	3

	Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of June 27, 2015, and September 27, 2014	4

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended June 27, 2015, and June 28, 2014	5

	Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements	6

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	32

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	44

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	46

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION



Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	47

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	47

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	48

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	48

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	48

Item 5.	Other Information	48

Item 6.	Exhibits	49

SIGNATURES		50

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.	Financial Statements

TYSON FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Sales	$	10,071		$	9,682		$	30,867		$	27,475
Cost of Sales	9,085			9,045			27,936			25,502
Gross Profit	986			637			2,931			1,973
Selling, General and Administrative	423			286			1,312			849
Operating Income	563			351			1,619			1,124
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest income	(3		)	(1		)	(6		)	(6		)
Interest expense	73			25			221			78
Other, net	(25		)	17			(32		)	18
Total Other (Income) Expense	45			41			183			90
Income before Income Taxes	518			310			1,436			1,034
Income Tax Expense	174			52			471			314
Net Income	344			258			965			720
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	1			(2		)	3			(7		)
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	343		$	260		$	962		$	727
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Class A Basic	335			280			335			275
Class B Basic	70			70			70			70
Diluted	414			356			414			355
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
Class A Basic	$	0.86		$	0.75		$	2.41		$	2.15
Class B Basic	$	0.78		$	0.68		$	2.20		$	1.94
Diluted	$	0.83		$	0.73		$	2.32		$	2.05
Dividends Declared Per Share:
Class A	$	0.100		$	0.075		$	0.325		$	0.250
Class B	$	0.090		$	0.068		$	0.293		$	0.226

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

TYSON FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Net Income	$	344		$	258		$	965		$	720
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Taxes:
Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges	1			(5		)	1			—
Investments	(12		)	—			(1		)	3
Currency translation	2			12			(17		)	7
Postretirement benefits	—			—			7			2
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Taxes	(9		)	7			(10		)	12
Comprehensive Income	335			265			955			732
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	1			(2		)	3			(7		)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Tyson	$	334		$	267		$	952		$	739

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

TYSON FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)



	June 27, 2015			September 27, 2014
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	471		$	438
Accounts receivable, net	1,633			1,684
Inventories	3,082			3,274
Other current assets	214			379
Assets held for sale	189			446
Total Current Assets	5,589			6,221
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	5,312			5,130
Goodwill	6,690			6,706
Intangible Assets, net	5,202			5,276
Other Assets	650			623
Total Assets	$	23,443		$	23,956

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current debt	$	1,205		$	643
Accounts payable	1,621			1,806
Other current liabilities	1,150			1,207
Liabilities held for sale	52			141
Total Current Liabilities	4,028			3,797
Long-Term Debt	6,029			7,535
Deferred Income Taxes	2,447			2,450
Other Liabilities	1,256			1,270
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common stock ($0.10 par value):
Class A-authorized 900 million shares, issued 346 million shares	35			35
Convertible Class B-authorized 900 million shares, issued 70 million shares	7			7
Capital in excess of par value	4,303			4,257
Retained earnings	6,591			5,748
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(157		)	(147		)
Treasury stock, at cost – 41 million shares at June 27, 2015 and 40 million shares at September 27, 2014	(1,112		)	(1,010		)
Total Tyson Shareholders’ Equity	9,667			8,890
Noncontrolling Interests	16			14
Total Shareholders’ Equity	9,683			8,904
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	23,443		$	23,956

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

TYSON FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)



	Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$	965		$	720
Depreciation and amortization	524			382
Deferred income taxes	16			(64		)
Convertible debt discount	—			(92		)
Other, net	57			76
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities	110			(479		)
Cash Provided by Operating Activities	1,672			543
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(636		)	(437		)
Purchases of marketable securities	(24		)	(25		)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	43			24
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(56		)
Proceeds from sale of businesses	165			—
Other, net	26			44
Cash Used for Investing Activities	(426		)	(450		)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payments on debt	(1,485		)	(407		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	501			28
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	1,345			—
Payments on revolving credit facility	(1,345		)	—
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	(197		)	(286		)
Dividends	(110		)	(76		)
Stock options exercised	71			61
Other, net	17			26
Cash Used for Financing Activities	(1,203		)	(654		)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	(10		)	3
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	33			(558		)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	438			1,145
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	471		$	587

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

TYSON FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated condensed financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Tyson Foods, Inc. (“Tyson,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”). Certain information and accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, these consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2014 . Preparation of consolidated condensed financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

We believe the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to state fairly our financial position as of June 27, 2015 , and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015 , and June 28, 2014 . Results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

Consolidation

The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of all wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as majority-owned subsidiaries over which we exercise control and, when applicable, entities for which we have a controlling financial interest or variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance changing the criteria for recognizing revenue. The guidance provides for a single five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers. The standard also requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows relating to customer contracts. Companies have an option to use either a retrospective approach or cumulative effect adjustment approach to implement the standard. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, our fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance changing the analysis procedures that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The new guidance affects the following areas: (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities, (2) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest, (3) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination, (4) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination, and (5) certain investment funds. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, our fiscal 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, our fiscal 2017. Early adoption is permitted. This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance on the recognition of fees paid by a customer for cloud computing arrangements. The new guidance clarifies that if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If the arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, our fiscal 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

NOTE 2: ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

Acquisitions

On August 28, 2014, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of The Hillshire Brands Company ("Hillshire Brands") as part of our strategic expansion initiative. The purchase price was equal to $63.00 per share for Hillshire Brands' outstanding common stock, or $8,081 million . In addition, we paid $163 million in cash for breakage costs incurred by Hillshire Brands related to a previously announced acquisition. We funded the acquisition with existing cash on hand, net proceeds from the issuance of new senior notes, Class A common stock (Class A stock), and tangible equity units as well as borrowings under a new term loan facility (refer to Note 6: Debt and Note 7: Equity). Hillshire Brands' results from operations subsequent to the acquisition closing are included in the Prepared Foods segment.

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. Certain estimated values for the acquisition, including goodwill, intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and deferred taxes, are not yet finalized and the preliminary purchase price allocations are subject to change as we complete our analysis of the fair value at the date of acquisition. The purchase price was allocated based on information available at the acquisition date. During the first nine months of fiscal 2015, we recorded measurement period adjustments, which reduced goodwill by $14 million , after obtaining additional information regarding, among other things, asset valuations and liabilities assumed. The amount was not considered material and therefore prior periods have not been revised.



	in millions
Cash and cash equivalents		$	72
Accounts receivable		236
Inventories		414
Other current assets		343
Property, Plant and Equipment		1,301
Goodwill		4,790
Intangible Assets		5,141
Other Assets		64
Accounts payable		(347		)
Other current liabilities		(327		)
Long-Term Debt		(869		)
Deferred Income Taxes		(2,074		)
Other Liabilities		(500		)
Net assets acquired		$	8,244

The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is as follows (in millions):



Intangible Asset Category	Type	Life in Years	Fair Value
Brands & trademarks	Non-amortizable	Indefinite	$	4,062
Brands & trademarks	Amortizable	20 years	532
Customer relationships	Amortizable	Weighted average life of 16 years	541
Non-compete agreements	Amortizable	One year	6
Total identifiable intangible assets			$	5,141

As a result of the acquisition, we recognized a total of $4,790 million of goodwill. The purchase price was assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition, and any excess was allocated to goodwill, as shown in the table above. Goodwill represents the value we expect to achieve through the implementation of operational synergies and growth opportunities primarily in our Prepared Foods segment. The allocation of goodwill to our reporting units is pending finalization of the expected synergies and the impact of the synergies to our reporting units. The fair value of this goodwill is not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.

Table of Contents

We used various valuation techniques to determine fair value, with the primary techniques being discounted cash flow analysis, relief-from-royalty and excess earnings valuation approaches, each of which use significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, as defined by the fair value hierarchy. Under these valuation approaches, we are required to make estimates and assumptions about sales, operating margins, growth rates, royalty rates and discount rates based on budgets, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and marketplace data.

The acquisition of Hillshire Brands was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, and consequently, the results of operations for Hillshire Brands are reported in our consolidated condensed financial statements from the date of acquisition.

The following pro forma information presents the combined results of operations as if the acquisition of Hillshire Brands had occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2013. Hillshire Brands' pre-acquisition results have been added to our historical results. The pro forma results contained in the following table include adjustments for amortization of acquired intangibles, depreciation expense, interest expense related to the financing and related income taxes. Any potential cost savings or other operational efficiencies that could result from the acquisition are not included in these pro forma results.

The pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations as they would have been had the acquisition occurred on the assumed date, nor is it necessarily an indication of future operating results. The pro forma results for the nine months ended June 28, 2014, include a nonrecurring tax benefit of $46 million recognized by Hillshire Brands primarily related to the release of valuation allowances on state deferred tax assets.



in millions	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	June 28, 2014		June 28, 2014
Pro forma sales	$	10,722	$	30,509
Pro forma net income from continuing operations attributable to Tyson	$	258	$	819
Pro forma net income per diluted share from continuing operations attributable to Tyson	$	0.61	$	1.95

Additionally, during the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we acquired a value-added food business as part of our strategic expansion initiative, which is also included in our Prepared Foods segment. The aggregate purchase price of the acquisition was $56 million , which included $12 million for Property, Plant and Equipment, $27 million allocated to Intangible Assets and $18 million allocated to Goodwill.

Dispositions

In fiscal 2014, we announced our plan to sell the Brazil and Mexico operations, which are included in our International segment, to JBS SA ("JBS") for a combined $575 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. As a result, we conducted an impairment test and recorded a $39 million impairment charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 related to the Brazil operation. We completed the sale of the Brazil operation in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and received net proceeds of $153 million including working capital and net debt adjustments. The sale did not result in a significant gain or loss as the carrying value of the Brazil operation approximated the sales proceeds at the time of sale. The assets and liabilities associated with the Brazil operation were classified as held for sale on the balance sheet at September 27, 2014.

The sale of the Mexico operation closed on June 29, 2015, which is in our fiscal fourth quarter, and consequently, the sale is not recorded in the results for the periods ended June 27, 2015. We received proceeds of $400 million , subject to potential working capital and net debt adjustments. As a result of the sale in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we anticipate we will record a gain, net of accumulated foreign currency translation losses and income tax impacts, of approximately $80 million , subject to final adjustments. We utilized the net proceeds to retire the 2.75% senior notes due September 2015. The assets and liabilities related to the Mexico operation are classified as held for sale on the balance sheet at June 27, 2015, and September 27, 2014.

Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the net assets and liabilities held for sale (in millions):



	June 27, 2015		September 27, 2014
Assets held for sale:
Accounts receivable, net	$	15	$	74
Inventories	68		141
Other current assets	11		72
Net property, plant and equipment	74		132
Goodwill	14		16
Other assets	7		11
Total assets held for sale	$	189	$	446
Liabilities held for sale:
Current debt	$	—	$	32
Accounts payable	23		61
Other current liabilities	18		27
Long-term debt	—		9
Deferred income taxes	11		12
Total liabilities held for sale	$	52	$	141

In fiscal 2014, we sold our 50 percent ownership interest of Dynamic Fuels LLC (Dynamic Fuels) for $30 million cash consideration at closing and up to $35 million in future cash payments contingent on Dynamic Fuels' production volumes over a period of up to 11.5 years. Additionally as part of the terms of the sale, we were released from our guarantee of the $100 million Gulf Opportunity Zone tax-exempt bonds, which were issued in October 2008 to fund a portion of the plant construction costs. Dynamic Fuels previously qualified as a variable interest entity which we consolidated, as we were the primary beneficiary. As a result of the sale, we deconsolidated Dynamic Fuels and recorded a gain of approximately $3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. We will recognize the future contingent payments in income as the required volumes are produced.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, as part of our ongoing efforts to increase efficiencies in our Chicken business, we announced the planned closure of our Buena Vista, Georgia plant. The plant closed in May 2015 and the closure costs did not have a significant impact on the Company's operating results.

In fiscal 2014, we recorded impairment charges of $52 million related to the planned closure of three Prepared Foods plants. The Company’s Cherokee, Iowa plant closed in September 2014 and the Buffalo, New York and Santa Teresa, New Mexico plants each closed in January 2015. Additionally, in April 2014, Hillshire Brands announced that it would discontinue all production at its Florence, Alabama plant. The plant closed in December 2014 and the closure costs did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial results.

NOTE 3: INVENTORIES

Processed products, livestock and supplies and other are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost includes purchased raw materials, live purchase costs, growout costs (primarily feed, grower pay and catch and haul costs), labor and manufacturing and production overhead, which are related to the purchase and production of inventories.

At June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014, 66% of the cost of inventories was determined by the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. The remaining cost of inventories for both years is determined by the weighted-average method.

The following table reflects the major components of inventory (in millions):



	June 27, 2015		September 27, 2014
Processed products	$	1,686	$	1,794
Livestock	979		1,066
Supplies and other	417		414
Total inventory	$	3,082	$	3,274

Table of Contents

NOTE 4: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The major categories of property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation are as follows (in millions):



	June 27, 2015		September 27, 2014
Land	$	126	$	126
Buildings and leasehold improvements	3,623		3,501
Machinery and equipment	6,387		6,144
Land improvements and other	284		276
Buildings and equipment under construction	451		334
	10,871		10,381
Less accumulated depreciation	5,559		5,251
Net property, plant and equipment	$	5,312	$	5,130

NOTE 5: OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Other current liabilities are as follows (in millions):



	June 27, 2015		September 27, 2014
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	$	461	$	490
Other	689		717
Total other current liabilities	$	1,150	$	1,207

NOTE 6: DEBT

The major components of debt are as follows (in millions):



	June 27, 2015			September 27, 2014
Revolving credit facility	$	—		$	—
Senior notes:
2.75% Senior notes due September 2015 (2015 Notes)	401			407
6.60% Senior notes due April 2016 (2016 Notes)	638			638
7.00% Notes due May 2018	120			120
2.65% Notes due August 2019 (2019 Notes)	1,000			1,000
4.10% Notes due September 2020 (2020 Notes)	286			287
4.50% Senior notes due June 2022 (2022 Notes)	1,000			1,000
3.95% Notes due August 2024 (2024 Notes)	1,250			1,250
7.00% Notes due January 2028	18			18
6.13% Notes due November 2032 (2032 Notes)	164			164
4.88% Notes due August 2034 (2034 Notes)	500			500
5.15% Notes due August 2044 (2044 Notes)	500			500
Discount on senior notes	(10		)	(12		)
Term loans:
3-year tranche A (1.56% at 06/27/2015)	92			1,172
3-year tranche B (1.31% at 06/27/2015)	500			—
5-year tranche A	—			353
5-year tranche B (1.69% at 06/27/2015)	552			552
Amortizing Notes - Tangible Equity Units (see Note 7: Equity)	157			205
Other	66			24
Total debt	7,234			8,178
Less current debt	1,205			643
Total long-term debt	$	6,029		$	7,535

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Revolving Credit Facility

We have a $1.25 billion revolving credit facility that supports short-term funding needs and letters of credit. The facility will mature and the commitments thereunder will terminate in September 2019. After reducing for the amount borrowed and outstanding letters of credit issued under this facility, the amount available for borrowing at June 27, 2015 , was $1,244 million . At June 27, 2015 , we had outstanding letters of credit issued under this facility totaling $6 million , none of which were drawn upon. We had an additional $95 million of bilateral letters of credit issued separately from the revolving credit facility, none of which were drawn upon. Our letters of credit are issued primarily in support of workers’ compensation insurance programs and derivative activities.

The revolving credit facility is unsecured and is fully guaranteed by Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. (TFM Parent), our wholly owned subsidiary, until such date TFM Parent is released from all of its guarantees of other material indebtedness. If in the future any of our other subsidiaries shall guarantee any of our material indebtedness, such subsidiary shall also be required to guarantee the indebtedness, obligations and liabilities under this facility.

2019 / 2024 / 2034 / 2044 Notes

In August 2014, we issued senior unsecured notes with an aggregate principal amount of $3,250 million , consisting of $1,000 million due August 2019, $1,250 million due August 2024, $500 million due August 2034, and $500 million due August 2044. The 2019 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2034 Notes, and 2044 Notes carry interest rates of 2.65% , 3.95% , 4.88% and 5.15% , respectively, with interest payments due semi-annually on August 15 and February 15. After the original issue discounts of $7 million , we received net proceeds of $3,243 million . In addition, we incurred offering expenses of $27 million .

Term Loans

In August 2014, we borrowed under an unsecured term loan facility, which provided for total term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $2,300 million , consisting of a $1,202 million 3 -year tranche A facility, a $546 million 5 -year tranche A facility, and a $552 million 5 -year tranche B facility. The principal of the 3 -year tranche A facility amortizes at 2.5% per quarter. Interest is reset based on the selected LIBOR interest period plus 1.375% for the 3 -year tranche A facility and 1.50% for the 5 -year tranche B facility. In addition, we incurred term loan issuance costs of approximately $11 million .

In April 2015, we entered into a term loan agreement, which provided total borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of $500 million , the full balance of which was used to prepay outstanding borrowings under the existing 3 -year tranche A term loan facility. The $500 million 3-year tranche B term loan facility is due April 7, 2018. Interest is reset based on the selected LIBOR interest period plus 1.125% .

2015 / 2020 / 2032 Notes

In August 2014, in connection with our acquisition of Hillshire Brands, we assumed $840 million of Hillshire Brands' debt, which had an estimated fair value of approximately $868 million as of the acquisition date. We recorded the assumed debt at fair value. The fair value adjustment is being amortized and recorded as a reduction of interest expense. The debt assumed is mainly comprised of senior unsecured notes which consist of $400 million due September 2015, $278 million due September 2020, and $152 million due November 2032. The 2015 Notes, 2020 Notes, and the 2032 Notes carry interest rates of 2.75% , 4.10% , and 6.13% , respectively.

In July 2015, we exercised an early redemption option to retire the outstanding $401 million balance of the 2015 Notes using cash proceeds from the sale of the Mexico operation as further described in Note 2: Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Debt Covenants

Our revolving credit and term loan facilities contain affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, may limit or restrict our ability to: create liens and encumbrances; incur debt; merge, dissolve, liquidate or consolidate; make acquisitions and investments; dispose of or transfer assets; change the nature of our business; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and enter into hedging transactions, in each case, subject to certain qualifications and exceptions. In addition, we are required to maintain minimum interest expense coverage and maximum debt-to-capitalization ratios.

Our senior notes also contain affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, may limit or restrict our ability to: create liens; engage in certain sale/leaseback transactions; and engage in certain consolidations, mergers and sales of assets.

We were in compliance with all debt covenants at June 27, 2015 .

NOTE 7: EQUITY

Share Repurchases

In fiscal 2014, our Board of Directors approved an increase of 25 million shares authorized for repurchase under our share repurchase program. As of June 27, 2015 , 27.9 million shares remained available for repurchases under this program. The share repurchase program has no fixed or scheduled termination date and the timing and extent to which we repurchase shares will depend upon, among other things, our working capital needs, markets, industry conditions, liquidity targets, limitations under our debt obligations and regulatory requirements. In addition to the share repurchase program, we purchase shares on the open market to fund certain obligations under our equity compensation plans.

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A summary of cumulative share repurchases of our Class A stock is as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
	Shares	Dollars		Shares	Dollars		Shares	Dollars		Shares	Dollars
Shares repurchased:
Under share repurchase program	0.9	$	37	—	$	—	4.2	$	168	7.1	$	250
To fund certain obligations under equity compensation plans	0.2	10		0.3	11		0.6	29		1.0	36
Total share repurchases	1.1	$	47	0.3	$	11	4.8	$	197	8.1	$	286

Share Issuance

In fiscal 2014, we issued 23.8 million shares of our Class A stock to provide funding for the Hillshire Brands acquisition. Total proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and other offering related fees and expenses were $873 million .

Tangible Equity Units

In fiscal 2014, we completed the public issuance of 30 million 4.75% tangible equity units (TEUs). Total proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and other expenses, were $1,454 million . Each TEU, which has a stated amount of $50 , is comprised of a prepaid stock purchase contract and a senior amortizing note due July 15, 2017. We allocated the proceeds from the issuance of the TEUs to equity and debt based on the relative fair values of the respective components of each TEU. The fair value of the prepaid stock purchase contracts, which was $1,295 million , is recorded in Capital in Excess of Par Value, net of issuance costs. The fair value of the senior amortizing notes, which was $205 million , was recorded in debt, of which $65 million was current. Issuance costs associated with the TEU debt were recorded as deferred financing costs in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets in Other Assets and are amortized over the term of the instrument to July 15, 2017.

The aggregate values assigned upon issuance of each component of the TEUs, based on the relative fair value of the respective components of each TEU, were as follows (in millions, except price per TEU):



	Equity Component			Debt Component			Total
Price per TEU	$	43.17		$	6.83		$	50.00
Gross Proceeds	1,295			205			1,500
Issuance cost	(40		)	(6		)	(46		)
Net proceeds	$	1,255		$	199		$	1,454

Each senior amortizing note has an initial principal amount of $6.83 and bears interest at 1.5% per annum. On each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, we will pay equal quarterly cash installments of $0.59 per amortizing note, which cash payment in the aggregate (principal and interest) is equivalent to 4.75% per year with respect to the $50 stated amount per TEU. Each installment constitutes a payment of interest and partial repayment of principal. Unless settled earlier at the holder's or the Company's option, each purchase contract will automatically settle on July 15, 2017, subject to postponement in certain limited circumstances. We will deliver between a minimum of 31.8 million shares and a maximum of 39.8 million shares of our Class A stock, subject to adjustment, based upon the Applicable Market Value (as defined below) of our Class A stock as described below:


•	If the Applicable Market Value is equal to or greater than the conversion price of $47.17 per share, we will deliver 1.0600 shares of Class A stock per purchase contract, or a minimum of 31.8 million Class A shares.


•	If the Applicable Market Value is greater than the reference price of $37.74 but less than the conversion price of $47.17 per share, we will deliver a number of shares per purchase contract equal to $50 , divided by the Applicable Market Value.


•	If the Applicable Market Value is less than or equal to the reference price of $37.74 per share, we will deliver 1.3252 shares of Class A stock per purchase contract, or a maximum of 39.8 million Class A shares.

The "Applicable Market Value" means the average of the closing prices of our Class A stock on each of the 20 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 23rd scheduled trading day immediately preceding July 15, 2017.

On June 15, 2015, we paid our quarterly dividend to shareholders of record at June 1, 2015, equal to $0.10 per share on our Class A stock. The amount of the distribution exceeded the $0.075 per share dividend threshold amount. Consequently, the settlement rates, reference price and conversion price were adjusted and are reflected above.

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The TEUs have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share. The 31.8 million minimum shares to be issued are included in the calculation of Class A Basic weighted average shares. The 8 million share difference between the minimum shares and the 39.8 million maximum shares are potentially dilutive securities, and accordingly, are included in our diluted earnings per share on a pro rata basis to the extent the Applicable Market Value is higher than the reference price but is less than the conversion price at period end.

NOTE 8: INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate was 33.6% and 16.8% for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and 32.8% and 30.4% for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. The effective tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 were impacted by such items as the domestic production deduction, state income taxes and losses in foreign jurisdictions for which no benefit is recognized. In addition, changes in tax reserves resulting from the expiration of statutes of limitations reduced the effective tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 by 2.3% and reduced the effective tax rate for the third quarter and nine months of fiscal 2014 by 12.8% and 3.8% , respectively.

Unrecognized tax benefits were $227 million and $272 million at June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 , respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, that would impact our effective tax rate was $198 million and $241 million at June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 , respectively.

We classify interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. At June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 , before tax benefits, we had $51 million and $54 million , respectively, of accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits.

We are subject to income tax assessments for U.S. federal income taxes for fiscal years 2011 through 2014. We are also subject to income tax assessments by major state and foreign jurisdictions for fiscal years 2005 through 2014 and 2002 through 2014, respectively. We estimate that during the next twelve months it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits could decrease up to $22 million primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions.

NOTE 9: OTHER INCOME AND CHARGES

During the first nine months of fiscal 2015, we recorded $7 million of equity earnings in joint ventures, $1 million in net foreign currency exchange gains and $21 million of gains on the sale of equity securities, which were recorded in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in Other, net.

During the first nine months of fiscal 2014, we recorded $7 million of equity earnings in joint ventures, $4 million in net foreign currency exchange gains, $6 million of other than temporary impairment related to an available-for-sale security and $22 million of costs associated with bridge financing facilities for the Hillshire Brands acquisition, which were recorded in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in Other, net.

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NOTE 10: EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in millions, except per share data):



	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014
Numerator:
Net Income	$	344	$	258		$	965	$	720
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		(2		)	3		(7		)
Net income attributable to Tyson	343		260			962		727
Less dividends declared:
Class A	30		21			99		69
Class B	6		5			20		16
Undistributed earnings	$	307	$	234		$	843	$	642

Class A undistributed earnings	$	258	$	190		$	709	$	522
Class B undistributed earnings	49		44			134		120
Total undistributed earnings	$	307	$	234		$	843	$	642
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Class A weighted average shares	335		280			335		275
Class B weighted average shares, and shares under the if-converted method for diluted earnings per share	70		70			70		70
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock	5		6			5		5
Tangible Equity Units	4		—			4		—
Warrants	—		—			—		5
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions	414		356			414		355

Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
Class A Basic	$	0.86	$	0.75		$	2.41	$	2.15
Class B Basic	$	0.78	$	0.68		$	2.20	$	1.94
Diluted	$	0.83	$	0.73		$	2.32	$	2.05

Approximately 5 million of our stock-based compensation shares were antidilutive for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015 . We had no stock-based compensation shares that were anti-dilutive for the three months ended June 28, 2014 . Approximately 4 million of our stock-based compensation shares were antidilutive for the nine months ended June 28, 2014 . These shares were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation.

We have two classes of capital stock, Class A stock and Class B stock. Cash dividends cannot be paid to holders of Class B stock unless they are simultaneously paid to holders of Class A stock. The per share amount of cash dividends paid to holders of Class B stock cannot exceed 90% of the cash dividends paid to holders of Class A stock.

We allocate undistributed earnings based upon a 1 to 0.9 ratio per share to Class A stock and Class B stock, respectively. We allocate undistributed earnings based on this ratio due to historical dividend patterns, voting control of Class B shareholders and contractual limitations of dividends to Class B stock.

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NOTE 11: DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Our business operations give rise to certain market risk exposures mostly due to changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We manage a portion of these risks through the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily futures and options, to reduce our exposure to commodity price risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk. Forward contracts on various commodities, including grains, livestock and energy, are primarily entered into to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of these inputs used in our production processes. Foreign exchange forward contracts are entered into to manage the fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily as a result of certain receivable and payable balances. We also periodically utilize interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk associated with our variable-rate borrowings.

Our risk management programs are periodically reviewed by our Board of Directors’ Audit Committee. These programs are monitored by senior management and may be revised as market conditions dictate. Our current risk management programs utilize industry-standard models that take into account the implicit cost of hedging. Risks associated with our market risks and those created by derivative instruments and the fair values are strictly monitored, using Value-at-Risk and stress tests. Credit risks associated with our derivative contracts are not significant as we minimize counterparty concentrations, utilize margin accounts or letters of credit, and deal with credit-worthy counterparties. Additionally, our derivative contracts are mostly short-term in duration and we generally do not make use of credit-risk-related contingent features. No significant concentrations of credit risk existed at June 27, 2015 .

We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, with the exception of normal purchases and normal sales expected to result in physical delivery. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, we designate the hedging instrument based upon the exposure being hedged (i.e., cash flow hedge or fair value hedge). We qualify, or designate, a derivative financial instrument as a hedge when contract terms closely mirror those of the hedged item, providing a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. If a derivative instrument is accounted for as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument either will be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings, or be recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of an instrument’s change in fair value is recognized in earnings immediately. We designate certain forward contracts as follows:


•	Cash Flow Hedges - include certain commodity forward and option contracts of forecasted purchases (i.e., grains) and certain foreign exchange forward contracts.


•	Fair Value Hedges - include certain commodity forward contracts of firm commitments (i.e., livestock).

Cash Flow Hedges

Derivative instruments, such as futures and options, are designated as hedges against changes in the amount of future cash flows related to procurement of certain commodities utilized in our production processes. We do not purchase forward and option commodity contracts in excess of our physical consumption requirements and generally do not hedge forecasted transactions beyond 18 months . The objective of these hedges is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the forecasted purchase of those commodities. For the derivative instruments we designate and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in earnings in the current period. Ineffectiveness related to our cash flow hedges was not significant for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015 , and June 28, 2014 .

We had the following aggregated notional values of outstanding forward and option contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges (in millions, except soy meal tons):



	Metric	June 27, 2015		September 27, 2014
Commodity:
Corn	Bushels	1		—
Soy meal	Tons	11,600		2,300
Foreign Currency	United States dollar	$	—	$	1

As of June 27, 2015 , the net amounts expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months are pretax losses of $2 million related to grains. During the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015 , and June 28, 2014 , we did not reclassify significant pretax gains/losses into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to the probability the original forecasted transaction would not occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within the additional period of time allowed by generally accepted accounting principles.

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The following table sets forth the pretax impact of cash flow hedge derivative instruments on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (in millions):



	Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI On Derivatives						Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income Classification	Gain (Loss) Reclassified from OCI to Earnings
	Three Months Ended							Three Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014				June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Cash Flow Hedge – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	$	(1	)	$	(7	)	Cost of Sales	$	(1	)	$	1
Foreign exchange contracts	—			—			Other Income/Expense	—			—
Total	$	(1	)	$	(7	)		$	(1	)	$	1

	Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI On Derivatives						Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income Classification	Gain (Loss) Reclassified from OCI to Earnings
	Nine Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014				June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Cash Flow Hedge – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	$	(3	)	$	(1	)	Cost of Sales	$	(5	)	$	(2	)
Foreign exchange contracts	—			(1		)	Other Income/Expense	—			—
Total	$	(3	)	$	(2	)		$	(5	)	$	(2	)

Fair Value Hedges

We designate certain futures contracts as fair value hedges of firm commitments to purchase livestock for slaughter. Our objective of these hedges is to minimize the risk of changes in fair value created by fluctuations in commodity prices associated with fixed price livestock firm commitments. We had the following aggregated notional values of outstanding forward contracts entered into to hedge firm commitments which are accounted for as a fair value hedge (in millions):



	Metric	June 27, 2015	September 27, 2014
Commodity:
Live Cattle	Pounds	259	427
Lean Hogs	Pounds	153	329

For these derivative instruments we designate and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in earnings in the same period. We include the gain or loss on the hedged items (i.e., livestock purchase firm commitments) in the same line item, Cost of Sales, as the offsetting gain or loss on the related livestock forward position.



											in millions
	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income Classification	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Gain (Loss) on forwards	Cost of Sales	$	9		$	(56	)	$	1		$	(96	)
Gain (Loss) on purchase contract	Cost of Sales	(9		)	56			(1		)	96

Ineffectiveness related to our fair value hedges was not significant for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015 , and June 28, 2014 .

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Undesignated Positions

In addition to our designated positions, we also hold forward and option contracts for which we do not apply hedge accounting. These include certain derivative instruments related to commodities price risk, including grains, livestock, energy and foreign currency risk. We mark these positions to fair value through earnings at each reporting date. We generally do not enter into undesignated positions beyond 18 months .

The objective of our undesignated grains, livestock and energy commodity positions is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the forecasted purchase of certain grains, energy and livestock inputs to our production processes. We also enter into certain forward sales of boxed beef and boxed pork and forward purchases of cattle and hogs at fixed prices. The fixed price sales contracts lock in the proceeds from a future sale and the fixed cattle and hog purchases lock in the cost. However, the cost of the livestock and the related boxed beef and boxed pork market prices at the time of the sale or purchase could vary from this fixed price. As we enter into fixed forward sales of boxed beef and boxed pork and forward purchases of cattle and hogs, we also enter into the appropriate number of livestock options and futures positions to mitigate a portion of this risk. Changes in market value of the open livestock options and futures positions are marked to market and reported in earnings at each reporting date, even though the economic impact of our fixed prices being above or below the market price is only realized at the time of sale or purchase. These positions generally do not qualify for hedge treatment due to location basis differences between the commodity exchanges and the actual locations when we purchase the commodities.

We have a foreign currency cash flow hedging program to hedge portions of forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currencies, primarily with forward and option contracts, to protect against the reduction in value of forecasted foreign currency cash flows. Our undesignated foreign currency positions generally would qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. However, to reduce earnings volatility, we normally will not elect hedge accounting treatment when the position provides an offset to the underlying related transaction that impacts current earnings.

We had the following aggregate outstanding notional values related to our undesignated positions (in millions, except soy meal tons):



	Metric	June 27, 2015		September 27, 2014
Commodity:
Corn	Bushels	44		—
Soy Meal	Tons	540,100		195,800
Soy Oil	Pounds	68		3
Live Cattle	Pounds	12		22
Lean Hogs	Pounds	12		22
Foreign Currency	United States dollars	$	19	$	108

The following table sets forth the pretax impact of the undesignated derivative instruments on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (in millions):



	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income Classification	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings						Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Sales	$	(2	)	$	25		$	(10	)	$	57
Commodity contracts	Cost of Sales	—			(47		)	(34		)	(89		)
Foreign exchange contracts	Other Income/Expense	1			3			(3		)	4
Total		$	(1	)	$	(19	)	$	(47	)	$	(28	)

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The following table sets forth the fair value of all derivative instruments outstanding in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (in millions):



	Fair Value
	June 27, 2015		September 27, 2014
Derivative Assets:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	$	16	$	17
Foreign exchange contracts	—		—
Total derivative assets – designated	16		17

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	27		42
Foreign exchange contracts	—		—
Total derivative assets – not designated	27		42
Total derivative assets	$	43	$	59
Derivative Liabilities:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	$	4	$	78
Foreign exchange contracts	—		—
Total derivative liabilities – designated	4		78
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	15		80
Foreign exchange contracts	—		2
Total derivative liabilities – not designated	15		82
Total derivative liabilities	$	19	$	160

Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities, including cash collateral when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us. See Note 12: Fair Value Measurements for a reconciliation to amounts reported in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets in Other current assets and Other current liabilities.

NOTE 12: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy contains three levels as follows:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2 — Other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including:


•	Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;


•	Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets;


•	Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and


•	Inputs derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances where the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.

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The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy our financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis according to the valuation techniques we used to determine their fair values (in millions):



June 27, 2015	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (a)			Total
Assets:
Commodity Derivatives	$	—	$	43	$	—	$	(3	)	$	40
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—		—		—		—			—
Available-for-Sale Securities:
Current	—		2		—		—			2
Non-current	—		30		61		—			91
Deferred Compensation Assets	9		235		—		—			244
Total Assets	$	9	$	310	$	61	$	(3	)	$	377
Liabilities:
Commodity Derivatives	$	—	$	19	$	—	$	(19	)	$	—
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—		—		—		—			—
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	19	$	—	$	(19	)	$	—



September 27, 2014	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Netting (a)			Total
Assets:
Commodity Derivatives	$	—	$	59	$	—	$	(50	)	$	9
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—		—		—		—			—
Available-for-Sale Securities:
Current	—		1		—		—			1
Non-current	1		24		67		—			92
Deferred Compensation Assets	15		218		—		—			233
Total Assets	$	16	$	302	$	67	$	(50	)	$	335
Liabilities:
Commodity Derivatives	$	—	$	158	$	—	$	(148	)	$	10
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—		2		—		—			2
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	160	$	—	$	(148	)	$	12

(a)

Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities, including cash collateral, when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us. At June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 , we had posted with various counterparties $16 million and $98 million , respectively, of cash collateral related to our commodity derivatives and held no cash collateral.

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The following table provides a reconciliation between the beginning and ending balance of debt securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the table above that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions):



	Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Balance at beginning of year	$	67		$	65
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings	—			—
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—
Purchases	13			18
Issuances	—			—
Settlements	(19		)	(18		)
Balance at end of period	$	61		$	65
Total gains (losses) for the nine-month period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at end of period	$	—		$	—

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Derivative Assets and Liabilities: Our commodities and foreign exchange forward contracts primarily include exchange-traded and over-the-counter contracts which are further described in Note 11: Derivative Financial Instruments. We record our commodity derivatives at fair value using quoted market prices adjusted for credit and non-performance risk and internal models that use as their basis readily observable market inputs including current and forward commodity market prices. Our foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded at fair value based on quoted prices and spot and forward currency prices adjusted for credit and non-performance risk. We classify these instruments in Level 2 when quoted market prices can be corroborated utilizing observable current and forward commodity market prices on active exchanges or observable market transactions of spot currency rates and forward currency prices.

Available-for-Sale Securities: Our investments in marketable debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value based on pricing models and quoted market prices adjusted for credit and non-performance risk. Short-term investments with maturities of less than 12 months are included in Other current assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets and primarily include certificates of deposit and commercial paper. All other marketable debt securities are included in Other Assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets and have maturities ranging up to 35 years. We classify our investments in U.S. government, U.S. agency, certificates of deposit and commercial paper debt securities as Level 2 as fair value is generally estimated using discounted cash flow models that are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including time value and yield curve as well as other readily available relevant economic measures. We classify certain corporate, asset-backed and other debt securities as Level 3 as there is limited activity or less observable inputs into valuation models, including current interest rates and estimated prepayment, default and recovery rates on the underlying portfolio or structured investment vehicle. Significant changes to assumptions or unobservable inputs in the valuation of our Level 3 instruments would not have a significant impact to our consolidated condensed financial statements.

The following table sets forth our available-for-sale securities' amortized cost basis, fair value and unrealized gain (loss) by significant investment category (in millions):



	June 27, 2015						September 27, 2014
	Amortized Cost Basis		Fair Value		Unrealized Gain (Loss)		Amortized Cost Basis		Fair Value		Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Available-for-Sale Securities:
Debt Securities:
U.S. Treasury and Agency	$	32	$	32	$	—	$	25	$	25	$	—
Corporate and Asset-Backed	60		61		1		65		67		2
Equity Securities:
Common Stock (a)	—		—		—		1		1		—


(a)	At June 27, 2015, and September 27, 2014, the amortized cost basis for Equity Securities had been reduced by accumulated other than temporary impairment of nil and $2 million , respectively.

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Unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax, are excluded from earnings and reported in OCI until the security is settled or sold. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate whether losses related to our available-for-sale securities are temporary in nature. Losses on equity securities are recognized in earnings if the decline in value is judged to be other than temporary. If losses related to our debt securities are determined to be other than temporary, the loss would be recognized in earnings if we intend, or more likely than not will be required, to sell the security prior to recovery. For debt securities in which we have the intent and ability to hold until maturity, losses determined to be other than temporary would remain in OCI, other than expected credit losses which are recognized in earnings. We consider many factors in determining whether a loss is temporary, including the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been below cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery. We recognized no other than temporary impairment in earnings for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015, and $6 million for the nine months ended June 28, 2014, which was recorded in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in Other, net. No other than temporary losses were deferred in OCI as of June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 .

Deferred Compensation Assets: We maintain non-qualified deferred compensation plans for certain executives and other highly compensated employees. Investments are maintained within a trust and include money market funds, mutual funds and life insurance policies. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies is invested primarily in mutual funds. The investments are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and are included in Other Assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. We classify the investments which have observable market prices in active markets in Level 1 as these are generally publicly-traded mutual funds. The remaining deferred compensation assets are classified in Level 2, as fair value can be corroborated based on observable market data. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on deferred compensation are included in earnings.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, we record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges. We did not have any significant measurements of assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition during the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015. However, during the third quarter of fiscal 2014, we recorded a $49 million impairment charge related to the closure of three Prepared Foods plants. Our valuation of these assets incorporated unobservable Level 3 inputs.

Other Financial Instruments

Fair value of our debt is principally estimated using Level 2 inputs based on quoted prices for those or similar instruments. Fair value and carrying value for our debt are as follows (in millions):



	June 27, 2015				September 27, 2014
	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
Total Debt	$	7,374	$	7,234	$	8,347	$	8,178

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NOTE 13: PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The components of the net periodic cost for the pension and postretirement benefit plans for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015 , and June 28, 2014 , are as follows (in millions):



	Pension Plans
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014

Service cost	$	5		$	2		$	13		$	5
Interest cost	21			2			63			6
Expected return on plan assets	(25		)	(1		)	(75		)	(3		)
Amortization of:
Net actuarial loss	1			1			4			3
Settlement loss	—			—			8			—
Net periodic cost	$	2		$	4		$	13		$	11



	Postretirement Benefit Plans
	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014

Service cost	$	2	$	1		$	4	$	2
Interest cost	2		—			5		2
Amortization of:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	6		(6		)	6		(6		)
Prior service credit	—		(1		)	—		(1		)
Net periodic cost (credit)	$	10	$	(6	)	$	15	$	(3	)

We contributed $3 million and $12 million to our pension plans for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015 , respectively. We contributed $2 million and $7 million to our pension plans for the three and nine months ended June 28, 2014 , respectively. We expect to contribute an additional $3 million during the remainder of fiscal 2015. The amount of contributions made to pension plans in any year is dependent upon a number of factors including minimum funding requirements in the jurisdictions in which we operate. As a result, the actual funding in fiscal 2015 may differ from the current estimate.

NOTE 14: OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The before and after tax changes in the components of other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended																	Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015								June 28, 2014									June 27, 2015									June 28, 2014
	Before Tax			Tax		After Tax			Before Tax			Tax			After Tax			Before Tax			Tax			After Tax			Before Tax			Tax			After Tax

Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges:
(Gain) loss reclassified to Cost of Sales	$	1		$	—	$	1		$	(1	)	$	—		$	(1	)	$	5		$	(2	)	$	3		$	2		$	(1	)	$	1
Unrealized gain (loss)	(1		)	1		—			(7		)	3			(4		)	(3		)	1			(2		)	(2		)	1			(1		)

Investments:
(Gain) loss reclassified to Other Income/Expense	(21		)	8		(13		)	—			—			—			(21		)	8			(13		)	6			(2		)	4
Unrealized gain (loss)	1			—		1			—			—			—			20			(8		)	12			(1		)	—			(1		)

Currency translation:
Translation loss reclassified to Cost of Sales (a)	—			—		—			—			—			—			37			(1		)	36			—			—			—
Translation adjustment	1			1		2			10			2			12			(63		)	10			(53		)	5			2			7

Postretirement benefits	—			—		—			1			(1		)	—			10			(3		)	7			3			(1		)	2
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$	(19	)	$	10	$	(9	)	$	3		$	4		$	7		$	(15	)	$	5		$	(10	)	$	13		$	(1	)	$	12

(a) Translation loss reclassified to Cost of Sales related to disposition of a foreign operation, which is further described in Note 2: Acquisitions and Dispositions.

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NOTE 15: SEGMENT REPORTING

We operate in five segments: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Prepared Foods and International. We measure segment profit as operating income (loss).

Chicken: Chicken includes our domestic operations related to raising and processing live chickens into fresh, frozen and value-added chicken products, as well as sales from allied products. Products are marketed domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators, hotel chains and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international export markets. This segment also includes logistics operations to move products through our domestic supply chain and the global operations of our chicken breeding stock subsidiary.

Beef: Beef includes our operations related to processing live fed cattle and fabricating dressed beef carcasses into primal and sub-primal meat cuts and case-ready products. Products are marketed domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators, hotel chains and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international export markets. This segment also includes sales from allied products such as hides and variety meats, as well as logistics operations to move products through the supply chain.

Pork: Pork includes our operations related to processing live market hogs and fabricating pork carcasses into primal and sub-primal cuts and case-ready products. Products are marketed domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators, hotel chains and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international export markets. This segment also includes our live swine group, related allied product processing activities and logistics operations to move products through the supply chain.

Prepared Foods: Prepared Foods includes our operations related to manufacturing and marketing frozen and refrigerated food products and logistics operations to move products through the supply chain. Products primarily include pepperoni, bacon, sausage, beef and pork pizza toppings, pizza crusts, flour and corn tortilla products, appetizers, prepared meals, ethnic foods, soups, sauces, side dishes, meat dishes, breadsticks and processed meats. Products are marketed domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators, hotel chains and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international export markets.

In fiscal 2014, we acquired Hillshire Brands, a manufacturer and marketer of branded, convenient foods which includes brands such as Jimmy Dean®, Ball Park®, Hillshire Farm®, State Fair®, Van's®, Sara Lee® frozen bakery and Chef Pierre® pies as well as artisanal brands Aidells®, Gallo Salame®, and Golden Island® premium jerky. Hillshire Brands' results from operations are included in the Prepared Foods segment.

International : International includes our foreign operations primarily related to raising and processing live chickens into fresh, frozen and value-added chicken products in Brazil, China, India and Mexico. Products are marketed in each respective country to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators, hotel chains, noncommercial foodservice establishments and live markets, as well as to other international export markets.

In fiscal 2014, we announced our plan to sell the Brazil and Mexico operations, part of our International segment, to JBS for $ 575 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. As further described in Note 2: Acquisitions and Dispositions, we sold the Brazil operation in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The sale of the Mexico operation closed on June 29, 2015, which is in our fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.

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The results from Dynamic Fuels are included in Other in fiscal 2014. We allocate expenses related to corporate activities to the segments, except for third-party merger and integration costs which are included in Other.

Information on segments and a reconciliation to income before income taxes are as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015				June 28, 2014				June 27, 2015				June 28, 2014
Sales:
Chicken	$	2,757			$	2,829			$	8,366			$	8,327
Beef	4,305				4,189				12,826				11,748
Pork	1,207				1,766				3,951				4,677
Prepared Foods	1,810				901				5,814				2,669
International	244				365				771				1,020
Other	—				—				—				—
Intersegment Sales	(252		)		(368		)		(861		)		(966		)
Total Sales	$	10,071			$	9,682			$	30,867			$	27,475

Operating Income (Loss):
Chicken	$	313			$	195			$	996			$	682
Beef	(7		)		101				(33		)		194
Pork	64				128				285				356
Prepared Foods	207			^(a)	(50		)	^(c)	438			^(a)	(13		)	^(c)
International	1				(15		)		(28		)		(73		)
Other	(15		)	^(b)	(8		)	^(d)	(39		)	^(b)	(22		)	^(d)
Total Operating Income	563				351				1,619				1,124

Total Other (Income) Expense	45			^(b)	41			^(d)	183			^(b)	90			^(d)

Income before Income Taxes	$	518			$	310			$	1,436			$	1,034

(a) Includes merger and integration costs of $1 million and $10 million for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015, respectively, and $11 million net proceeds and $17 million net costs related to a legacy Hillshire Brands plant fire for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015, respectively.

(b) Operating income in Other includes merger and integration costs of $15 million and $39 million for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2015, respectively, and Other (Income) Expense includes a $21 million gain on the sale of equity securities.

(d) Operating income in Other includes $7 million related to merger and integration costs and Other (Income) Expense includes $22 million related to costs associated with bridge financing facilities, both incurred as part of the Hillshire Brands acquisition.

The Chicken segment had sales of $6 million and $2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and sales of $13 million and $6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, from transactions with other operating segments of the Company. The Beef segment had sales of $93 million and $83 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and sales of $248 million and $213 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, from transactions with other operating segments of the Company. The Pork segment had sales of $153 million and $283 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and sales of $600 million and $747 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, from transactions with other operating segments of the Company. The aforementioned sales from intersegment transactions, which were at market prices, were included in the segment sales in the above table.

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NOTE 16: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

We guarantee obligations of certain outside third parties, consisting primarily of leases, debt and grower loans, which are substantially collateralized by the underlying assets. Terms of the underlying debt cover periods up to 10 years, and the maximum potential amount of future payments as of June 27, 2015 , was $50 million . We also maintain operating leases for various types of equipment, some of which contain residual value guarantees for the market value of the underlying leased assets at the end of the term of the lease. The remaining terms of the lease maturities cover periods over the next 13 years. The maximum potential amount of the residual value guarantees is $76 million , of which $69 million could be recoverable through various recourse provisions and an additional undeterminable recoverable amount based on the fair value of the underlying leased assets. The likelihood of material payments under these guarantees is not considered probable. At June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 , no material liabilities for guarantees were recorded.

We have cash flow assistance programs in which certain livestock suppliers participate. Under these programs, we pay an amount for livestock equivalent to a standard cost to grow such livestock during periods of low market sales prices. The amounts of such payments that are in excess of the market sales price are recorded as receivables and accrue interest. Participating suppliers are obligated to repay these receivables balances when market sales prices exceed this standard cost, or upon termination of the agreement. Our maximum obligation associated with these programs is limited to the fair value of each participating livestock supplier’s net tangible assets. The potential maximum obligation as of June 27, 2015 , was approximately $320 million . The total receivables under these programs were $1 million and $4 million at June 27, 2015, and September 27, 2014 , respectively. These receivables are included, net of allowance for uncollectible amounts, in Accounts Receivable in our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. Even though these programs are limited to the net tangible assets of the participating livestock suppliers, we also manage a portion of our credit risk associated with these programs by obtaining security interests in livestock suppliers’ assets. After analyzing residual credit risks and general market conditions, we have no allowance for these programs’ estimated uncollectible receivables at June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 .

Contingencies

We are involved in various claims and legal proceedings. We routinely assess the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes to those matters, as well as ranges of probable losses, to the extent losses are reasonably estimable. We record accruals for such matters to the extent that we conclude a loss is probable and the financial impact, should an adverse outcome occur, is reasonably estimable. Such accruals are reflected in the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements. In our opinion, we have made appropriate and adequate accruals for these matters and believe the probability of a material loss beyond the amounts accrued to be remote; however, the ultimate liability for these matters is uncertain, and if accruals are not adequate, an adverse outcome could have a material effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Listed below are certain claims made against the Company and/or our subsidiaries for which the potential exposure is considered material to the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements. We believe we have substantial defenses to the claims made and intend to vigorously defend these matters.

There are eight pending lawsuits involving our beef, pork and prepared foods plants, in which certain present and past employees allege that we failed to compensate them for the time it takes to engage in pre- and post-shift activities, such as changing into and out of protective and sanitary clothing and walking to and from the changing area, work areas and break areas in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act and various state laws. The plaintiffs seek back wages, liquidated damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. Each case is proceeding in its jurisdiction.

•

Bouaphakeo (f/k/a Sharp), et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., N.D. Iowa, February 6, 2007 - A jury trial was held involving our Storm Lake, Iowa pork plant which resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiffs for violations of federal and state laws for pre- and post-shift work activities. The trial court also awarded the plaintiffs liquidated damages, resulting in total damages awarded in the amount of $5,784,758 . The plaintiffs' counsel has also filed an application for attorneys' fees and expenses in the amount of $2,692,145 . We appealed the jury's verdict and trial court's award to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The appellate court affirmed the jury verdict and judgment on August 25, 2014, and we filed a petition for rehearing on September 22, 2014, which was denied. We filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, which was granted on June 8, 2015.

•

Acosta, et al. v Tyson Foods, Inc. dba Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., D. Nebraska, February 29, 2008 - A bench trial was held involving our Madison, Nebraska pork plant, in January 2013. In May 2013 the trial court awarded the plaintiffs $5,733,943 for unpaid overtime wages. Subsequently, the court ordered the class of plaintiffs expanded, and the plaintiffs submitted an updated calculation of $6,258,330 for unpaid overtime wages as reflected by payroll data through May 2013. On January 30, 2014, the trial court entered judgment in favor of the plaintiffs in the amount of $18,774,989 , which represents a tripling of the plaintiffs’ alleged damages. The court denied our post-trial motions, and we appealed to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral argument was held before the appellate court on January 15, 2015.

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•

Gomez, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., D. Nebraska, January 16, 2008 - A jury trial involving our Dakota City, Nebraska beef plant, was held, and the jury found in favor of the plaintiffs on April 3, 2013. On October 2, 2013, the trial court denied the parties’ post-trial motions and entered judgment awarding unpaid overtime wages, liquidated damages, and penalties totaling $4,960,787 . We appealed the jury’s verdict and trial court’s award to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral argument was held before the appellate court on January 15, 2015.


•	Edwards, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. dba Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., S.D. Iowa, March 20, 2008 - The trial court in this case, which involves our Perry and Waterloo, Iowa pork plants, decertified the state law class and granted other pre-trial motions that resulted in judgment in our favor with respect to the plaintiffs’ claims. The plaintiffs have filed a motion to modify this judgment.


•	Abdiaziz, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., D. Kansas, September 30, 2011 - This case involves our Emporia, Kansas beef plant. The parties filed a joint motion for approval of a settlement, totaling $730,548 in back pay and attorneys’ fees and costs, which the court preliminarily approved on March 30, 2015.


•	Murray, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., C.D. Illinois, January 2, 2008 ; and DeVoss v. Tyson Foods, Inc. d.b.a. Tyson Fresh Meats, C.D. Illinois, March 2, 2011 - These cases involve our Joslin, Illinois beef plant and are in their preliminary stages.


•	Dozier, Southerland, et al. v. Hillshire Brands, Co., Inc. E.D. North Carolina, September 2, 2014 - This case involves our Tarboro, North Carolina prepared foods plant and is in its preliminary stages.


•	Awad, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. and Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., M.D. Tennessee, February 12, 2015 - This case involves our Goodlettsville, Tennessee case ready beef plant and is in its preliminary stages.

Our subsidiary, The Hillshire Brands Company (formerly named Sara Lee Corporation), is a party to a consolidation of cases filed by individual complainants with the Republic of the Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) from 1998 through July 1999. The complaint is filed against Aris Philippines, Inc., Sara Lee Corporation, Sara Lee Philippines, Inc., Fashion Accessories Philippines, Inc., and Attorney Cesar C. Cruz (collectively, the “respondents”). The complaint alleges, among other things, that the respondents engaged in unfair labor practices in connection with the termination of manufacturing operations in the Philippines by Aris Philippines, Inc., a former subsidiary of The Hillshire Brands Company. In 2006, an arbitrator ruled against the respondents and awarded the complainants PHP 3,453,664,710 (approximately US $76 million ) in damages and fees. The respondents appealed the arbitrator’s ruling, and it was subsequently set aside by the NLRC in December 2006. Subsequent to the NLRC’s decision, the parties filed numerous appeals, motions for reconsideration and petitions for review, certain of which remained outstanding for several years. While various of those appeals, motions and/or petitions were pending, The Hillshire Brands Company, on June 23, 2014, without admitting liability, filed a settlement motion requesting that the Supreme Court of the Philippines order dismissal with prejudice of all claims against it and its predecessors-in-interest in exchange for payments allocated by the court among the complainants in an amount not to exceed PHP 342,287,800 (approximately US $8 million ). Based in part on its finding that the consideration to be paid to the complainants as part of such settlement was insufficient, the Supreme Court of the Philippines denied the respondents’ motion for reconsideration and the settlement motion. While such settlement motion remained pending, however, the Supreme Court of the Philippines set aside as premature the NLRC’s December 2006 ruling.

NOTE 17: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

TFM Parent, our wholly-owned subsidiary, has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 2016 Notes. Additionally, TFM Parent has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 2022 Notes until such date TFM Parent has been released of its guarantee of both (i) Tyson's $1.25 billion revolving credit facility and (ii) the 2016 Notes, at which time TFM Parent's guarantee of the 2019, 2022, 2024, 2034 and 2044 Notes is permanently released. The following financial information presents condensed consolidating financial statements, which include Tyson Foods, Inc. (TFI Parent); TFM Parent; the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) on a combined basis; the elimination entries necessary to consolidate TFI Parent, TFM Parent and the Non-Guarantors; and Tyson Foods, Inc. on a consolidated basis, and is provided as an alternative to providing separate financial statements for the guarantor.

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Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended June 27, 2015													in millions
	TFI Parent			TFM Parent			Non- Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Sales	$	196		$	5,417		$	4,884		$	(426	)	$	10,071
Cost of Sales	7			5,318			4,186			(426		)	9,085
Gross Profit	189			99			698			—			986
Selling, General and Administrative	31			62			330			—			423
Operating Income	158			37			368			—			563
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	65			—			5			—			70
Other, net	(22		)	—			(3		)	—			(25		)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(260		)	(52		)	—			312			—
Total Other (Income) Expense	(217		)	(52		)	2			312			45
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	375			89			366			(312		)	518
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	32			13			129			—			174
Net Income	343			76			237			(312		)	344
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			—			1			—			1
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	343		$	76		$	236		$	(312	)	$	343

Comprehensive Income (Loss)	335			81			239			(320		)	335
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			—			1			—			1
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	335		$	81		$	238		$	(320	)	$	334




Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended June 28, 2014													in millions
	TFI Parent			TFM Parent			Non- Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Sales	$	114		$	5,807		$	4,234		$	(473	)	$	9,682
Cost of Sales	14			5,559			3,945			(473		)	9,045
Gross Profit	100			248			289			—			637
Selling, General and Administrative	16			55			215			—			286
Operating Income	84			193			74			—			351
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	23			—			1			—			24
Other, net	22			1			(6		)	—			17
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(229		)	(18		)	—			247			—
Total Other (Income) Expense	(184		)	(17		)	(5		)	247			41
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	268			210			79			(247		)	310
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	8			62			(18		)	—			52
Net Income	260			148			97			(247		)	258
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			—			(2		)	—			(2		)
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	260		$	148		$	99		$	(247	)	$	260

Comprehensive Income (Loss)	265			156			106			(262		)	265
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			—			(2		)	—			(2		)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	265		$	156		$	108		$	(262	)	$	267

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Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended June 27, 2015													in millions
	TFI Parent			TFM Parent			Non- Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Sales	$	645		$	16,478		$	15,186		$	(1,442	)	$	30,867
Cost of Sales	43			16,102			13,229			(1,438		)	27,936
Gross Profit	602			376			1,957			(4		)	2,931
Selling, General and Administrative	97			182			1,037			(4		)	1,312
Operating Income	505			194			920			—			1,619
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	198			1			16			—			215
Other, net	(24		)	(2		)	(6		)	—			(32		)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(744		)	(140		)	—			884			—
Total Other (Income) Expense	(570		)	(141		)	10			884			183
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	1,075			335			910			(884		)	1,436
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	113			67			291			—			471
Net Income	962			268			619			(884		)	965
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			—			3			—			3
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	962		$	268		$	616		$	(884	)	$	962

Comprehensive Income (Loss)	955			257			601			(858		)	955
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			—			3			—			3
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	955		$	257		$	598		$	(858	)	$	952




Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended June 28, 2014													in millions
	TFI Parent			TFM Parent			Non- Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Sales	$	429		$	16,023		$	12,380		$	(1,357	)	$	27,475
Cost of Sales	35			15,338			11,486			(1,357		)	25,502
Gross Profit	394			685			894			—			1,973
Selling, General and Administrative	67			167			615			—			849
Operating Income	327			518			279			—			1,124
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	13			49			10			—			72
Other, net	29			—			(11		)	—			18
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(532		)	(30		)	—			562			—
Total Other (Income) Expense	(490		)	19			(1		)	562			90
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	817			499			280			(562		)	1,034
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	90			158			66			—			314
Net Income	727			341			214			(562		)	720
Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			—			(7		)	—			(7		)
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	727		$	341		$	221		$	(562	)	$	727

Comprehensive Income (Loss)	732			348			220			(568		)	732
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—			—			(7		)	—			(7		)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	732		$	348		$	227		$	(568	)	$	739

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Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of June 27, 2015										in millions
	TFI Parent		TFM Parent		Non- Guarantors		Eliminations			Total
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	13	$	458	$	—		$	471
Accounts receivable, net	4		612		1,017		—			1,633
Inventories	—		1,260		1,822		—			3,082
Other current assets	13		48		165		(12		)	214
Assets held for sale	3		—		186		—			189
Total Current Assets	20		1,933		3,648		(12		)	5,589
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	27		979		4,306		—			5,312
Goodwill	—		881		5,809		—			6,690
Intangible Assets, net	—		12		5,190		—			5,202
Other Assets	139		154		357		—			650
Investment in Subsidiaries	21,626		2,169		—		(23,795		)	—
Total Assets	$	21,812	$	6,128	$	19,310	$	(23,807	)	$	23,443

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current debt	$	799	$	1	$	405	$	—		$	1,205
Accounts payable	25		716		880		—			1,621
Other current liabilities	5,620		159		857		(5,486		)	1,150
Liabilities held for sale	—		—		52		—			52
Total Current Liabilities	6,444		876		2,194		(5,486		)	4,028
Long-Term Debt	5,518		1		510		—			6,029
Deferred Income Taxes	3		98		2,346		—			2,447
Other Liabilities	180		123		953		—			1,256

Total Tyson Shareholders’ Equity	9,667		5,030		13,291		(18,321		)	9,667
Noncontrolling Interest	—		—		16		—			16
Total Shareholders’ Equity	9,667		5,030		13,307		(18,321		)	9,683
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	21,812	$	6,128	$	19,310	$	(23,807	)	$	23,443

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Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2014										in millions
	TFI Parent		TFM Parent		Non- Guarantors		Eliminations			Total
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	41	$	397	$	—		$	438
Accounts receivable, net	3		665		1,016		—			1,684
Inventories	—		1,272		2,002		—			3,274
Other current assets	42		78		379		(120		)	379
Assets held for sale	3		—		443		—			446
Total Current Assets	48		2,056		4,237		(120		)	6,221
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	30		932		4,168		—			5,130
Goodwill	—		881		5,825		—			6,706
Intangible Assets, net	—		15		5,261		—			5,276
Other Assets	204		148		326		(55		)	623
Investment in Subsidiaries	20,845		2,049		—		(22,894		)	—
Total Assets	$	21,127	$	6,081	$	19,817	$	(23,069	)	$	23,956

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current debt	$	240	$	—	$	403	$	—		$	643
Accounts payable	35		755		1,016		—			1,806
Other current liabilities	4,718		235		921		(4,667		)	1,207
Liabilities held for sale	—		—		141		—			141
Total Current Liabilities	4,993		990		2,481		(4,667		)	3,797
Long-Term Debt	7,056		2		532		(55		)	7,535
Deferred Income Taxes	21		96		2,333		—			2,450
Other Liabilities	167		125		978		—			1,270

Total Tyson Shareholders’ Equity	8,890		4,868		13,479		(18,347		)	8,890
Noncontrolling Interest	—		—		14		—			14
Total Shareholders’ Equity	8,890		4,868		13,493		(18,347		)	8,904
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	21,127	$	6,081	$	19,817	$	(23,069	)	$	23,956

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Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended June 27, 2015													in millions
	TFI Parent			TFM Parent			Non- Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	$	213		$	190		$	1,290		$	(21	)	$	1,672
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	—			(127		)	(509		)	—			(636		)
(Purchases of)/Proceeds from marketable securities, net	21			—			(2		)	—			19
Proceeds from sale of businesses	—			—			165			—			165
Other, net	26			1			(1		)	—			26
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	47			(126		)	(347		)	—			(426		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net change in debt	(982		)	—			(2		)	—			(984		)
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	(197		)	—			—			—			(197		)
Dividends	(110		)	—			(21		)	21			(110		)
Stock options exercised	71			—			—			—			71
Other, net	17			—			—			—			17
Net change in intercompany balances	941			(92		)	(849		)	—			—
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	(260		)	(92		)	(872		)	21			(1,203		)
Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash	—			—			(10		)	—			(10		)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	—			(28		)	61			—			33
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	—			41			397			—			438
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	—		$	13		$	458		$	—		$	471



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended June 28, 2014													in millions
	TFI Parent			TFM Parent			Non- Guarantors			Eliminations			Total
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	$	12		$	264		$	312		$	(45	)	$	543
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(1		)	(109		)	(327		)	—			(437		)
(Purchases of)/Proceeds from marketable securities, net	—			—			(1		)	—			(1		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			—			(56		)	—			(56		)
Other, net	30			1			13			—			44
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	29			(108		)	(371		)	—			(450		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net change in debt	(370		)	—			(9		)	—			(379		)
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	(286		)	—			—			—			(286		)
Dividends	(76		)	—			(45		)	45			(76		)
Stock options exercised	61			—			—			—			61
Other, net	26			—			—			—			26
Net change in intercompany balances	604			(162		)	(442		)	—			—
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	(41		)	(162		)	(496		)	45			(654		)
Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash	—			—			3			—			3
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	—			(6		)	(552		)	—			(558		)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	—			21			1,124			—			1,145
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	—		$	15		$	572		$	—		$	587

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Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Description of the Company

We are one of the world's largest producers of chicken, beef, pork and prepared foods that include leading brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee® frozen bakery, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State Fair®. Some of the key factors influencing our business are customer demand for our products; the ability to maintain and grow relationships with customers and introduce new and innovative products to the marketplace; accessibility of international markets; market prices for our products; the cost and availability of live cattle and hogs, raw materials, and feed ingredients; and operating efficiencies of our facilities.

Our operations are conducted in five segments: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Prepared Foods and International. On August 28, 2014, we acquired and consolidated The Hillshire Brands Company ("Hillshire Brands"), a manufacturer and marketer of branded, convenient foods. Hillshire Brands' results from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 are included in the Prepared Foods segment.

Overview

•

General – Our operating income grew 60% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, which was led by record earnings in our Prepared Foods segment and strong earnings in our Chicken segment. Sales increased 4% and exceeded $10 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. We continued to execute our strategy of accelerating growth in domestic value-added chicken sales, prepared food sales, innovating products, services and customer insights and cultivating our talent development to support Tyson's growth for the future.

•

Hillshire Integration – We continue to maintain focus on the integration of Hillshire Brands and synergy capture. As we execute our Prepared Foods strategy, we estimate the impact of the Hillshire Brands synergies, along with the profit improvement plan related to our legacy Prepared Foods business, will have a positive impact of approximately $300 million in fiscal 2015, more than $400 million in fiscal 2016 and more than $600 million by fiscal 2017. The majority of these benefits are expected to be realized in the Prepared Foods segment. In the third quarter of fiscal 2015, we captured $87 million of synergies and profit improvement initiatives of which $79 million impacted the Prepared Foods segment. For the first nine months of fiscal 2015, we captured $224 million of synergies and profit improvement initiatives of which $204 million impacted the Prepared Foods segment.

•

Market environment – Our Chicken segment delivered strong results in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 driven by favorable domestic market conditions, partially offset by disruptions caused by export bans. The Pork segment’s operating margin was below its normalized range due to unfavorable market conditions from a decline in exports and increased domestic availability of pork products. Our Prepared Foods segment has delivered two consecutive quarters of record operating income and operating margins as we continued to execute our profit improvement plan and integrate Hillshire Brands. The Beef segment experienced a loss driven by lower availability of fed cattle supplies, higher fed cattle costs, export market disruptions, and reduced demand for premium beef products due to the relative value of competing proteins. Our International segment returned to profitability due to improved market conditions in Mexico.


•	Margins – Our total operating margin was 5.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 . Operating margins by segment were as follows:


•	Chicken – 11.4%


•	Beef – (0.2)%


•	Pork – 5.3%


•	Prepared Foods – 11.4%


•	International – 0.4%


•	Liquidity – For the first nine months of fiscal 2015 we generated $1,672 million of operating cash flows. At June 27, 2015 , we had approximately $1.7 billion of liquidity, which includes availability under our revolving credit facility and $471 million of cash and cash equivalents.

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in millions, except per share data	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014		June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014
Net income attributable to Tyson	$	343	$	260	$	962	$	727
Net income attributable to Tyson – per diluted share	0.83		0.73		2.32		2.05

Third quarter – Fiscal 2015 – Net income attributable to Tyson included the following items:


•	$21 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to a gain on sale of equity securities.


•	$16 million, or ($0.02) per diluted share, related to Hillshire Brands merger and integration costs.


•	$11 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, of net insurance proceeds (net of ongoing costs) related to a legacy Hillshire Brands plant fire.

Nine months – Fiscal 2015 – Net income attributable to Tyson included the following items:


•	$49 million, or ($0.07) per diluted share, related to Hillshire Brands merger and integration costs.


•	$26 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, related to recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits.


•	$21 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to a gain on sale of equity securities.


•	$17 million, or ($0.02) per diluted share, of ongoing net costs (net of insurance proceeds) related to a legacy Hillshire Brands plant fire.

Third quarter and Nine months – Fiscal 2014 – Net income attributable to Tyson included the following items:


•	$49 million, or ($0.08) per diluted share, related to an impairment due to closure of three facilities.


•	$40 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, related to recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits.


•	$29 million, or ($0.05) per diluted share, related to Hillshire Brands merger and integration costs.

Summary of Results

Sales



in millions	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014		June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Sales	$	10,071		$	9,682	$	30,867		$	27,475
Change in sales volume	3.4		%			4.5		%
Change in average sales price	0.6		%			7.6		%
Sales growth	4.0		%			12.3		%

Third quarter – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014

•

Sales Volume – Sales were positively impacted by higher sales volume, which accounted for an increase of $387 million. The Chicken and Prepared Foods segments each had an increase in sales volume, partially offset by a decrease in sales volume in each of the remaining segments. Prepared Foods contributed to the majority of the increase due to the acquisition of Hillshire Brands on August 28, 2014.


•	Average Sales Price – Sales were positively impacted by higher average sales prices, which accounted for an increase of$2 million. The Beef and Prepared Foods segments each had an increase in average sales prices, partially offset by a decrease in average sales prices in the Chicken, Pork and International segments.

Nine months – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014

•

Sales Volume – Sales were positively impacted by higher sales volume, which accounted for an increase of $1.5 billion. The Chicken and Prepared Foods segments each had an increase in sales volume, partially offset by a decrease in sales volume in each of the remaining segments. Prepared Foods contributed to the majority of the increase due to the acquisition of Hillshire Brands on August 28, 2014.


•	Average Sales Price – Sales were positively impacted by higher average sales prices, which accounted for an increase of$1.9 billion. The Beef and Prepared Foods segments each had an increase in average sales prices, partially offset by a decrease in average sales prices in the remaining segments.

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Cost of Sales



in millions	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Cost of sales	$	9,085		$	9,045		$	27,936		$	25,502
Gross profit	$	986		$	637		$	2,931		$	1,973
Cost of sales as a percentage of sales	90.2		%	93.4		%	90.5		%	92.8		%

Third quarter – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014


•	Cost of sales increased $40 million. Lower input cost per pound decreased cost of sales $352 million and higher sales volume increased cost of sales $392 million.


•	The $352 million impact of lower input cost per pound was primarily driven by:


•	Decrease in live hog costs of approximately $265 million in our Pork segment.


•	Decrease in raw material and other input costs of approximately $170 million in our legacy Prepared Foods business.


•	Decreases in feed costs of approximately $125 million in our Chicken segment and $15 million in our International segment.


•	Increase in live cattle cost of approximately $215 million in our Beef segment.


•	Increase in input cost per pound related to the acquisition of Hillshire Brands on August 28, 2014.

•

The $392 million impact of higher sales volume was driven by an increase in sales volume in the Chicken and Prepared Foods segments, partially offset by sales volume decreases in each of the remaining segments. The majority of the increase in sales volume relates to the acquisition of Hillshire Brands on August 28, 2014, in our Prepared Foods segment, with the majority of the decrease attributed to the Beef segment due to fewer cattle processed.

Nine months – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014


•	Cost of sales increased $2.4 billion. Higher input cost per pound increased cost of sales $1.0 billion and higher sales volume increased cost of sales $1.4 billion.


•	The $1.0 billion impact of higher input cost per pound was primarily driven by:


•	Increase in live cattle cost of approximately $1.4 billion in our Beef segment.


•	Increase in input cost per pound related to the acquisition of Hillshire Brands on August 28, 2014.


•	Decrease in live hog costs of approximately $275 million in our Pork segment.


•	Decrease in raw material and other input costs of approximately $200 million in our legacy Prepared Foods business.


•	Decreases in feed costs of approximately $310 million in our Chicken segment and $35 million in our International segment.


•	The $1.4 billion impact of higher sales volume was driven by increases in sales volume in our Chicken and Prepared Foods segments, partially offset by decreases in sales volume in our remaining segments. Prepared Foods contributed a majority of the increase due to the acquisition of Hillshire Brands on August 28, 2014.

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Selling, General and Administrative



in millions	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Selling, general and administrative expense	$	423		$	286		$	1,312		$	849
As a percentage of sales	4.2		%	3.0		%	4.3		%	3.1		%

Third quarter – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014


•	Increase of $118 million related to the inclusion of Hillshire Brands in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 results with no corresponding amounts in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.


•	Increase of $18 million related to amortization associated with acquired Hillshire Brands' intangibles.


•	Increase of $10 million related to employee costs including payroll, stock-based and incentive-based compensation, and travel.


•	Increase of $9 million related to merger and integration costs.


•	Decrease of $16 million related to advertising and sales promotions in the legacy Tyson business primarily attributable to discontinuing certain programs that were present in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Nine months – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014


•	Increase of $387 million related to the inclusion of Hillshire Brands in the first nine months of fiscal 2015 results with no corresponding amounts in the first nine months of fiscal 2014.


•	Increase of $55 million related to amortization associated with acquired Hillshire Brands' intangibles.


•	Increase of $42 million related to merger and integration costs.


•	Increase of $25 million related to employee costs including payroll, stock-based and incentive-based compensation, and travel.


•	Increase of $16 million in all other primarily related to professional fees, information technology costs, and other intangibles.


•	Decrease of $62 million related to advertising and sales promotions in the legacy Tyson business primarily attributable to discontinuing certain programs that were present in the first nine months of fiscal 2014.

Interest Expense



in millions	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014
Cash interest expense	$	73	$	26		$	220	$	80
Non-cash interest expense	—		(1		)	1		(2		)
Total Interest Expense	$	73	$	25		$	221	$	78

Third quarter and nine months – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014

•

Cash interest expense primarily included interest expense related to the coupon rates for senior notes and term loans and commitment/letter of credit fees incurred on our revolving credit facilities. The increase in cash interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2015 was primarily due to senior notes and term loans issued and debt assumed in connection with our acquisition of Hillshire Brands on August 28, 2014.


•	Non-cash interest expense primarily included amounts related to the amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts/premiums on note issuances, offset by interest capitalized.

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Other (Income) Expense, net



in millions	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014		June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
	$	(25	)	$	17	$	(32	)	$	18

Nine months – Fiscal 2015


•	Included $7 million of equity earnings in joint ventures, $1 million in foreign currency exchange gains, and $21 million of gains on the sale of equity securities.

Nine months – Fiscal 2014


•	Included an expense of $6 million related to the impairment of an equity security investment and $22 million of costs associated with bridge financing facilities for the Hillshire Brands acquisition, which were partially offset by income of $11 million of equity earnings in joint ventures and foreign currency exchange gains.

Effective Tax Rate



Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014		June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014
33.6	%	16.8	%	32.8	%	30.4	%

Third quarter and nine months – Fiscal 2015 – The effective tax rate was impacted by:


•	state income taxes;


•	the domestic production deduction;


•	losses in foreign jurisdictions for which no benefit is recognized; and


•	decrease in tax reserves due to the expiration of statutes of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities.

Third quarter and nine months – Fiscal 2014 – The effective tax rate was impacted by:


•	state income taxes;


•	the domestic production deduction;


•	losses in foreign jurisdictions for which no benefit is recognized; and


•	decrease in tax reserves due to the expiration of statutes of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities.

Segment Results

We operate in five segments: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Prepared Foods and International. The following table is a summary of sales and operating income (loss), which is how we measure segment income.



in millions	Sales
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Chicken	$	2,757		$	2,829		$	8,366		$	8,327
Beef	4,305			4,189			12,826			11,748
Pork	1,207			1,766			3,951			4,677
Prepared Foods	1,810			901			5,814			2,669
International	244			365			771			1,020
Other	—			—			—			—
Intersegment Sales	(252		)	(368		)	(861		)	(966		)
Total	$	10,071		$	9,682		$	30,867		$	27,475

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in millions	Operating Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Chicken	$	313		$	195		$	996		$	682
Beef	(7		)	101			(33		)	194
Pork	64			128			285			356
Prepared Foods	207			(50		)	438			(13		)
International	1			(15		)	(28		)	(73		)
Other	(15		)	(8		)	(39		)	(22		)
Total	$	563		$	351		$	1,619		$	1,124

Third quarter – Fiscal 2015 – Operating income included the following items:


•	Operating income was increased by $10 million in the Prepared Foods segment due to $11 million of net insurance proceeds related to a legacy Hillshire Brands plant fire, partially offset by $1 million of merger and integration costs.


•	Operating income was reduced by $15 million in Other for third-party merger and integration costs.

Nine months – Fiscal 2015 – Operating income included the following items:


•	Operating income was reduced by $27 million in the Prepared Foods segment due to $17 million of ongoing costs (net of insurance proceeds) related to a legacy Hillshire Brands plant fire and $10 million of merger and integration costs.


•	Operating income was reduced by $39 million in Other for third-party merger and integration costs.

Third quarter and Nine months – Fiscal 2014 – Operating income included the following items:


•	Operating income was reduced by $49 million in the Prepared Foods segment for impairments related to the closure of three plants.


•	Operating income was reduced by $7 million in Other related to merger and integration costs.

Chicken Segment Results



in millions	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			Change			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			Change
Sales	$	2,757		$	2,829		$	(72	)	$	8,366		$	8,327		$	39
Sales Volume Change							2.9		%							1.9		%
Average Sales Price Change							(5.3		)%							(1.4		)%
Operating Income	$	313		$	195		$	118		$	996		$	682		$	314
Operating Margin	11.4		%	6.9		%				11.9		%	8.2		%

Third quarter and nine months – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014


•	Sales Volume – Sales volumes grew as a result of stronger demand for chicken products and mix of rendered product sales.


•	Average Sales Price – Average sales price decreased as feed ingredient costs declined, partially offset by mix changes.


•	Operating Income – Operating income increased due to higher sales volume and lower feed ingredient costs, partially offset by disruptions caused by export bans. Feed costs decreased $125 million and $310 million during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2015, respectively.

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Beef Segment Results



in millions	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			Change			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			Change
Sales	$	4,305		$	4,189		$	116		$	12,826		$	11,748		$	1,078
Sales Volume Change							(3.9		)%							(2.5		)%
Average Sales Price Change							6.9		%							11.9		%
Operating Income	$	(7	)	$	101		$	(108	)	$	(33	)	$	194		$	(227	)
Operating Margin	(0.2		)%	2.4		%				(0.3		)%	1.7		%

Third quarter and nine months – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014


•	Sales Volume – Sales volume decreased due to a reduction in live cattle processed.


•	Average Sales Price – Average sales price increased due to lower domestic availability of beef products.


•	Operating Income – Operating income decreased due to unfavorable market conditions associated with a decrease in supply of approximately 8%, which drove up fed cattle costs, export market disruptions, the relative value of competing proteins and increased operating costs.

Pork Segment Results



in millions	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			Change			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			Change
Sales	$	1,207		$	1,766		$	(559	)	$	3,951		$	4,677		$	(726	)
Sales Volume Change							(4.8		)%							(2.7		)%
Average Sales Price Change							(28.2		)%							(13.2		)%
Operating Income	$	64		$	128		$	(64	)	$	285		$	356		$	(71	)
Operating Margin	5.3		%	7.2		%				7.2		%	7.6		%

Third quarter and nine months – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014


•	Sales Volume – Sales volume decreased due to the divestiture of our Heinold Hog Markets business in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Excluding the impact of the divestiture, our sales volume grew 2.9% and 2.6% for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2015, respectively, driven by better demand for our pork products.


•	Average Sales Price – Live hog supplies increased, which drove down livestock cost and average sales price.


•	Operating Income – Operating income decreased due to compressed pork margins during the third quarter of fiscal 2015 caused by a decline in exports and excess domestic availability of pork products.

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Prepared Foods Segment Results



in millions	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			Change			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			Change
Sales	$	1,810		$	901		$	909		$	5,814		$	2,669		$	3,145
Sales Volume Change							77.4		%							79.2		%
Average Sales Price Change							13.2		%							21.5		%
Operating Income	$	207		$	(50	)	$	257		$	438		$	(13	)	$	451
Operating Margin	11.4		%	(5.5		)%				7.5		%	(0.5		)%

Third quarter and nine months – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014


•	Sales Volume – Sales volume increased due to incremental volumes from the acquisition of Hillshire Brands.


•	Average Sales Price – Average sales price increased primarily due to better product mix which was positively impacted by the acquisition of Hillshire Brands.

•

Operating Income – Operating income improved due to an increase in sales volume and average sales price mainly attributed to Hillshire Brands, as well as lower raw material costs of approximately $170 million and $200 million for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2015, respectively, related to our legacy Prepared Foods business. Additionally, profit improvement initiatives and Hillshire Brands synergies positively impacted Prepared Foods operating income by $79 million and $ 204 million for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2015, respectively.

International Segment Results



in millions	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			Change			June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			Change
Sales	$	244		$	365		$	(121	)	$	771		$	1,020		$	(249	)
Sales Volume Change							(25.3		)%							(19.8		)%
Average Sales Price Change							(10.5		)%							(5.8		)%
Operating Income	$	1		$	(15	)	$	16		$	(28	)	$	(73	)	$	45
Operating Margin	0.4		%	(4.1		)%				(3.6		)%	(7.2		)%

Third quarter and nine months – Fiscal 2015 vs Fiscal 2014


•	Sales Volume – Sales volume decreased due to the sale of our Brazil operation during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and weak demand in China, partially offset by stronger demand in Mexico.


•	Average Sales Price – Average sales price decreased due to supply imbalances associated with weak demand in China and currency devaluation in Mexico.


•	Operating Income – Operating results improved due to the sale of our Brazil operation and better market conditions in Mexico, partially offset by challenging market conditions in China.

•

In fiscal 2014, we announced our plan to sell the Brazil and Mexico operations, part of our International segment, to JBS for $ 575 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. As further described in Part I, Item 1, Note 2: Acquisitions and Dispositions, we sold the Brazil operation in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The sale of the Mexico operation closed on June 29, 2015, which is in our fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our cash needs for working capital, capital expenditures, growth opportunities, the repurchases of senior notes, repayment of term loans and share repurchases are expected to be met with current cash on hand, cash flows provided by operating activities, or short-term borrowings. Based on our current expectations, we believe our liquidity and capital resources will be sufficient to operate our business. However, we may take advantage of opportunities to generate additional liquidity or refinance existing debt through capital market transactions. The amount, nature and timing of any capital market transactions will depend on our operating performance and other circumstances; our then-current commitments and obligations; the amount, nature and timing of our capital requirements; any limitations imposed by our current credit arrangements; and overall market conditions.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities



in millions	Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015		June 28, 2014
Net income	$	965	$	720
Non-cash items in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	524		382
Deferred income taxes	16		(64		)
Other, net	57		76
Convertible debt discount	—		(92		)
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities	110		(479		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	1,672	$	543


•	Operating cash outflow associated with the Convertible debt discount related to the initial debt discount of $92 million on our 3.25% convertible notes issued in 2008, which matured on October 15, 2013, and were retired in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.


•	Cash flows associated with net changes in operating assets and liabilities for the nine months ended:


•	June 27, 2015 – Increased primarily due to lower inventory and accounts receivable balances and an increase in taxes payable, partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable. The decreased inventory, accounts receivable and accounts payable balances were largely due to decreased raw material costs and timing of sales and payments.


•	June 28, 2014 – Decreased primarily due to higher inventory and accounts receivable balances and decreases in taxes payable and accrued salaries, wages and benefits balances, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable. The increased inventory and accounts receivable balances are largely due to increased raw material costs.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities



in millions	Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Additions to property, plant and equipment	$	(636	)	$	(437	)
(Purchases of)/Proceeds from marketable securities, net	19			(1		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(56		)
Proceeds from sale of businesses	165			—
Other, net	26			44
Net cash used for investing activities	$	(426	)	$	(450	)


•	Additions to property, plant and equipment include acquiring new equipment and upgrading our facilities to maintain competitive standing and position us for future opportunities.


•	Capital spending for fiscal 2015 is expected to be approximately $900 million, and will include spending on our operations for production and labor efficiencies, yield improvements and sales channel flexibility.


•	Proceeds from marketable securities primarily relate to the sale of $21 million of equity securities.


•	Proceeds from sale of businesses primarily include proceeds, net of cash transferred, from the sale of the Brazil operation.


•	Other, net for fiscal 2015 includes $17 million of previously restricted cash for which the restriction expired. For fiscal 2014, it included $30 million received from the sale our 50 percent ownership in our Dynamic Fuels joint venture.


•	Acquisitions - During the first nine months of fiscal 2014, we acquired a value-added food business as part of our strategic expansion initiative. The purchase price of the acquisition was $56 million, which included $12 million for property, plant and equipment, $27 million allocated to Intangible Assets and $18 million allocated to Goodwill.


•	The sale of our Mexico operation closed on June 29, 2015, which is in our fourth fiscal quarter, and consequently, the sale is not recorded in the results for the periods ended June 27, 2015. We received proceeds of $400 million, subject to potential working capital and net debt adjustments.

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Cash Flows from Financing Activities



in millions	Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014
Payments on debt	$	(1,485	)	$	(407	)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	501			28
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	1,345			—
Payments on revolving credit facility	(1,345		)	—
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	(197		)	(286		)
Dividends	(110		)	(76		)
Stock options exercised	71			61
Other, net	17			26
Net cash used for financing activities	$	(1,203	)	$	(654	)


•	During the first nine months of fiscal 2015, we retired the 5-year tranche A term loan facility for $353 million and paid down the 3-year tranche A term loan facility by $1,080 million.

•

During the first nine months of fiscal 2015, we entered into a term loan agreement, which provided total proceeds of $500 million, the full balance of which was used to prepay outstanding borrowings under the 3-year tranche A term loan facility. Additionally, we had borrowings and payments on our revolver of $1,345 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2015. We utilized our revolving credit facility to balance our cash position with term loan deleveraging and changes in working capital.

•

Our 3.25% convertible notes issued in 2008 matured on October 15, 2013, at which time we paid the $458 million principal value with cash on hand, and settled the conversion premium by issuing 11.7 million shares of our Class A stock from available treasury shares. These notes were initially recorded at a $92 million discount, which equaled the fair value of an equity conversion premium instrument. The portion of the payment of the notes related to the initial $92 million discount was recorded in cash flows from operating activities. Simultaneous to the settlement of the conversion premium, we received 11.7 million shares of our Class A stock from call options purchased at the time of issuance of the notes.


•	Purchases of Tyson Class A stock included:


•	$168 million and $250 million of shares repurchased pursuant to our share repurchase program during the nine months ended June 27, 2015, and June 28, 2014, respectively.


•	$29 million and $36 million of shares repurchased to fund certain obligations under our equity compensation programs during the nine months ended June 27, 2015, and June 28, 2014, respectively.


•	We expect to continue repurchasing shares under our share repurchase program. As of June 27, 2015, 27.9 million shares remain authorized for repurchases. The timing and extent to which we repurchase shares will depend upon, among other things, our working capital needs, market conditions, liquidity targets, our debt obligations and regulatory requirements.


•	Dividends paid during the first nine months of fiscal 2015 included a 33% increase to our quarterly dividend rate.


•	In July 2015, we used the proceeds we received from the sale of the Mexico operation to fully retire the 2.75% senior notes due September 2015, which had an outstanding balance of $401 million as of June 27, 2015.

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Liquidity



in millions
	Commitments Expiration Date	Facility Amount		Outstanding Letters of Credit (no draw downs)		Amount Borrowed		Amount Available
Cash and cash equivalents								$	471
Short-term investments								2
Revolving credit facility	September 2019	$	1,250	$	6	$	—	1,244
Total liquidity								$	1,717


•	The revolving credit facility supports our short-term funding needs and letters of credit. The letters of credit issued under this facility are primarily in support of workers’ compensation insurance programs. Our maximum borrowing under the revolving credit facility during the first nine months of fiscal 2015 was $450 million.


•	At June 27, 2015 , we had current debt of $1,205 million, which we intend to repay with cash generated from our operating activities, the sale of the Mexico operation and other liquidity sources.


•	We expect net interest expense will approximate $285 million for fiscal 2015 (53 weeks).

•

At June 27, 2015 , approximately $190 million of our cash was held in the international accounts of our foreign subsidiaries. Generally, we do not rely on the foreign cash as a source of funds to support our ongoing domestic liquidity needs. Rather, we manage our worldwide cash requirements by reviewing available funds among our foreign subsidiaries and the cost effectiveness with which those funds can be accessed. The repatriation of cash balances from certain of our subsidiaries could have adverse tax consequences or be subject to regulatory capital requirements; however, those balances are generally available without legal restrictions to fund ordinary business operations. U.S. income taxes, net of applicable foreign tax credits, have not been provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries with the exception of the undistributed earnings of the Mexico poultry operation due to its sale. Except for the cash generated from our sale of the Mexico poultry operation, our intention is to reinvest the cash held by foreign subsidiaries permanently or to repatriate the cash only when it is tax effective to do so.


•	Our current ratio was 1.39 to 1 and 1.64 to 1 at June 27, 2015 and September 27, 2014 , respectively.

Capital Resources

Credit Facility

Cash flows from operating activities and cash on hand are our primary sources of liquidity for funding debt service, capital expenditures, dividends and share repurchases. We also have a revolving credit facility, with a committed maximum capacity of $1.25 billion, to provide additional liquidity for working capital needs, letters of credit and a source of financing for growth opportunities. As of June 27, 2015 , we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $6 million issued under this facility, none of which were drawn upon, which left $1,244 million available for borrowing. Our revolving credit facility is funded by a syndicate of 42 banks, with commitments ranging from $0.3 million to $85 million per bank. The syndicate includes bank holding companies that are required to be adequately capitalized under federal bank regulatory agency requirements.

Capitalization

To monitor our credit ratings and our capacity for long-term financing, we consider various qualitative and quantitative factors. We monitor the ratio of our net debt to EBITDA as support for our long-term financing decisions. At June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 , the ratio of our net debt to EBITDA was 2.6x and 4.1x, respectively. Refer to Part I, Item 3, EBITDA Reconciliations, for an explanation and reconciliation to comparable GAAP measures. The decrease in this ratio at June 27, 2015 , was due to increased EBITDA and the approximate $950 million reduction of debt during the first nine months of fiscal 2015.

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Credit Ratings

2016 Notes

On February 11, 2013, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC business (S&P), upgraded the credit rating of the 2016 Notes from "BBB-" to "BBB." This upgrade did not impact the interest rate on the 2016 Notes.

On June 7, 2012, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) upgraded the credit rating of the 2016 Notes from "Ba1" to "Baa3." This upgrade decreased the interest rate on the 2016 Notes from 6.85% to 6.60% , effective beginning with the six-month interest payment due October 1, 2012.

A one-notch downgrade by Moody's would increase the interest rates on the 2016 Notes by 0.25%. A two-notch downgrade from S&P would increase the interest rates on the 2016 Notes by 0.25%.

Revolving Credit Facility

S&P's corporate credit rating for Tyson Foods, Inc. is "BBB." Moody’s senior, unsecured, subsidiary guaranteed long-term debt rating for Tyson Foods, Inc. is "Baa3." Fitch Ratings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fimalac, S.A. (Fitch), issuer default rating for Tyson Foods, Inc. is "BBB." The below table outlines the fees paid on the unused portion of the facility (Facility Fee Rate) and letter of credit fees (Undrawn Letter of Credit Fee and Borrowing Spread) depending on the rating levels of Tyson Foods, Inc. from S&P, Moody's and Fitch.



Ratings Level (S&P/Moody's/Fitch)	Facility Fee Rate		Undrawn Letter of Credit Fee and Borrowing Spread
A-/A3/A- or above	0.100	%	1.000	%
BBB+/Baa1/BBB+	0.125	%	1.125	%
BBB/Baa2/BBB (current level)	0.150	%	1.250	%
BBB-/Baa3/BBB-	0.200	%	1.500	%
BB+/Ba1/BB+ or lower	0.250	%	1.750	%

In the event the rating levels are split, the applicable fees and spread will be based upon the rating level in effect for two of the rating agencies, or, if all three rating agencies have different rating levels, the applicable fees and spread will be based upon the rating level that is between the rating levels of the other two rating agencies.

Debt Covenants

We were in compliance with all debt covenants at June 27, 2015 .

RECENTLY ADOPTED/ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Refer to the discussion of recently adopted/issued accounting pronouncements under Part I, Item 1, Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, Note 1: Accounting Policies.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

We consider accounting policies related to: contingent liabilities; marketing and advertising costs; accrued self-insurance; defined benefit pension plans; impairment of long-lived assets; impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets; and income taxes to be critical accounting estimates. These policies are summarized in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2014 .

Based on our sale of the Brazil and Mexico poultry production operations, we are reviewing our strategies and outlook for the remaining operations in our International segment. Additionally, we are evaluating the operations of our legacy Prepared Foods and legacy Hillshire Brands facilities, which are all part of the Prepared Foods segment. If we have a significant change in strategies, outlook, or manner in which we plan to use these assets, we may be exposed to future impairments.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Certain information in this report constitutes forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, current views and estimates of our outlook for fiscal 2015 , other future economic circumstances, industry conditions in domestic and international markets, our performance and financial results (e.g., debt levels, return on invested capital, value-added product growth, capital expenditures, tax rates, access to foreign markets and dividend policy). These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and experiences to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. We wish to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Among the factors that may cause actual results and experiences to differ from anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are the following: (i) the effect of, or changes in, general economic conditions; (ii) fluctuations in the cost and availability of inputs and raw materials, such as live cattle, live swine, feed grains (including corn and soybean meal) and energy; (iii) market conditions for finished products, including competition from other global and domestic food processors, supply and pricing of competing products and alternative proteins and demand for alternative proteins; (iv) successful rationalization of existing facilities and operating efficiencies of the facilities; (v) risks associated with our commodity purchasing activities; (vi) access to foreign markets together with foreign economic conditions, including currency fluctuations, import/export restrictions and foreign politics; (vii) outbreak of a livestock disease (such as avian influenza (AI) or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)), which could have an adverse effect on livestock we own, the availability of livestock we purchase, consumer perception of certain protein products or our ability to access certain domestic and foreign markets; (viii) changes in availability and relative costs of labor and contract growers and our ability to maintain good relationships with employees, labor unions, contract growers and independent producers providing us livestock; (ix) issues related to food safety, including costs resulting from product recalls, regulatory compliance and any related claims or litigation; (x) changes in consumer preference and diets and our ability to identify and react to consumer trends; (xi) significant marketing plan changes by large customers or loss of one or more large customers; (xii) adverse results from litigation; (xiii) impacts on our operations caused by factors and forces beyond our control, such as natural disasters, fire, bioterrorism, pandemic or extreme weather; (xiv) risks associated with leverage, including cost increases due to rising interest rates or changes in debt ratings or outlook; (xv) compliance with and changes to regulations and laws (both domestic and foreign), including changes in accounting standards, tax laws, environmental laws, agricultural laws and occupational, health and safety laws; (xvi) our ability to make effective acquisitions or joint ventures and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into existing operations; (xvii) failures or security breaches of our information technology systems; (xviii) effectiveness of advertising and marketing programs; and (xix) those factors listed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2014 .


Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk relating to our operations results primarily from changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates, as well as credit risk concentrations. To address certain of these risks, we enter into various derivative transactions as described below. If a derivative instrument is accounted for as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument either will be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings, or be recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of an instrument’s change in fair value is recognized immediately. Additionally, we hold certain positions, primarily in grain and livestock futures that either do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges. With the exception of normal purchases and normal sales that are expected to result in physical delivery, we record these positions at fair value, and the unrealized gains and losses are reported in earnings at each reporting date. Changes in market value of derivatives used in our risk management activities relating to forward sales contracts are recorded in sales. Changes in market value of derivatives used in our risk management activities surrounding inventories on hand or anticipated purchases of inventories are recorded in cost of sales.

The sensitivity analyses presented below are the measures of potential losses of fair value resulting from hypothetical changes in market prices related to commodities. Sensitivity analyses do not consider the actions we may take to mitigate our exposure to changes, nor do they consider the effects such hypothetical adverse changes may have on overall economic activity. Actual changes in market prices may differ from hypothetical changes.

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Commodities Risk: We purchase certain commodities, such as grains and livestock in the course of normal operations. As part of our commodity risk management activities, we use derivative financial instruments, primarily futures and options, to reduce the effect of changing prices and as a mechanism to procure the underlying commodity. However, as the commodities underlying our derivative financial instruments can experience significant price fluctuations, any requirement to mark-to-market the positions that have not been designated or do not qualify as hedges could result in volatility in our results of operations. Contract terms of a hedge instrument closely mirror those of the hedged item providing a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. Contracts designated and highly effective at meeting this risk reduction and correlation criteria are recorded using hedge accounting. The following table presents a sensitivity analysis resulting from a hypothetical change of 10% in market prices as of June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 , on the fair value of open positions. The fair value of such positions is a summation of the fair values calculated for each commodity by valuing each net position at quoted futures prices. The market risk exposure analysis includes hedge and non-hedge derivative financial instruments.



Effect of 10% change in fair value			in millions
	June 27, 2015		September 27, 2014
Livestock:
Cattle	$	26	$	42
Hogs	10		32
Grain	4		10

Interest Rate Risk: At June 27, 2015 , we had variable rate debt of $ 1.1 billion with a weighted average interest rate of 1.5% . A hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates effective at June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 , would have a minimal effect on interest expense.

Additionally, changes in interest rates impact the fair value of our fixed-rate debt. At June 27, 2015 , we had fixed-rate debt of $ 6.1 billion with a weighted average interest rate of 4.2% . Market risk for fixed-rate debt is estimated as the potential increase in fair value, resulting from a hypothetical 10% decrease in interest rates. A hypothetical 10% decrease in interest rates would have increased the fair value of our fixed-rate debt by approximately $ 114 million at June 27, 2015 , and $109 million at September 27, 2014 . The fair values of our debt were estimated based on quoted market prices and/or published interest rates.

We have interest rate risk associated with our pension and post-retirement benefit obligations. Changes in interest rates impact the liabilities associated with these benefit plans as well as the amount of income or expense recognized for these plans. Declines in the value of the plan assets could diminish the funded status of the pension plans and potentially increase the requirements to make cash contributions to these plans. See Part II, Item 8, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 15: Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2014 , for additional information.

Foreign Currency Risk: We have foreign exchange exposure from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates primarily as a result of certain receivable and payable balances. The primary currencies we have exposure to are the Brazilian real, the British pound sterling, the Canadian dollar, the Chinese renminbi, the European euro, the Japanese yen and the Mexican peso. We periodically enter into foreign exchange forward and option contracts to hedge some portion of our foreign currency exposure. A hypothetical 10% change in foreign exchange rates effective at June 27, 2015 , and September 27, 2014 , related to the foreign exchange forward and option contracts would have a $2 million and $9 million impact, respectively, on pretax income.

Concentration of Credit Risk: Refer to our market risk disclosures set forth in the 2014 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of quantitative and qualitative disclosures about concentration of credit risks, as these risk disclosures have not changed significantly from the 2014 Annual Report.

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EBITDA Reconciliations

A reconciliation of net income to EBITDA is as follows (in millions, except ratio data):



	Nine Months Ended						Fiscal Year Ended			Twelve Months Ended
	June 27, 2015			June 28, 2014			September 27, 2014			June 27, 2015

Net income	$	965		$	720		$	856		$	1,101
Less: Interest income	(6		)	(6		)	(7		)	(7		)
Add: Interest expense	221			78			132			275
Add: Income tax expense	471			314			396			553
Add: Depreciation	447			362			494			579
Add: Amortization (a)	69			15			26			80
EBITDA	$	2,167		$	1,483		$	1,897		$	2,581


Total gross debt							$	8,178		$	7,234
Less: Cash and cash equivalents							(438		)	(471		)
Less: Short-term investments							(1		)	(2		)
Total net debt							$	7,739		$	6,761

Ratio Calculations:
Gross debt/EBITDA							4.3x			2.8x
Net debt/EBITDA							4.1x			2.6x


(a)	Excludes the amortization of debt discount expense of $8 million and $5 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2015 , and June 28, 2014 , respectively, $10 million for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2014, and $13 million for the twelve months ended June 27, 2015 , as it is included in Interest expense.

EBITDA represents net income, net of interest, income tax and depreciation and amortization. Net debt to EBITDA represents the ratio of our debt, net of cash and short-term investments, to EBITDA. EBITDA and net debt to EBITDA are presented as supplemental financial measurements in the evaluation of our business. We believe the presentation of these financial measures helps investors to assess our operating performance from period to period, including our ability to generate earnings sufficient to service our debt, and enhances understanding of our financial performance and highlights operational trends. These measures are widely used by investors and rating agencies in the valuation, comparison, rating and investment recommendations of companies; however, the measurements of EBITDA and net debt to EBITDA may not be comparable to those of other companies, which limits their usefulness as comparative measures. EBITDA and net debt to EBITDA are not measures required by or calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered as substitutes for net income or any other measure of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of operating cash flow or liquidity. EBITDA is a useful tool for assessing, but is not a reliable indicator of, our ability to generate cash to service our debt obligations because certain of the items added to net income to determine EBITDA involve outlays of cash. As a result, actual cash available to service our debt obligations will be different from EBITDA. Investors should rely primarily on our GAAP results, and use non-GAAP financial measures only supplementally, in making investment decisions.


Item 4.	Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, management, including the CEO and CFO, has concluded that, as of June 27, 2015 , our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

In the third quarter ended June 27, 2015 , there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.	Legal Proceedings

Refer to the description of certain legal proceedings pending against us under Part I, Item 1, Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements, Note 16: Commitments and Contingencies, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference. Listed below are certain additional legal proceedings involving the Company and/or its subsidiaries.

On June 17, 2014, the Missouri attorney general filed a civil lawsuit against us in the circuit court of Barry County, Missouri, concerning an incident that occurred in May 2014 in which some feed supplement was discharged from our plant in Monett, Missouri, to the City of Monett’s wastewater treatment plant allegedly leading to a fish kill in a local stream and odor issues around the plant. That lawsuit alleges six violations stemming from the incident and seeks penalties against us, compensation for damage to the stream, and reimbursement for the State of Missouri’s costs in investigating the matter. In January 2015, a consent judgment was entered that resolved the lawsuit. The judgment required payment of $540,000, which includes amounts for penalties, cost recovery and supplemental environmental projects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also indicated to us that it has begun a criminal investigation into the incident. If we become subject to criminal charges, we may be subject to a fine and other relief, as well as government contract suspension and debarment. We are cooperating with the Environmental Protection Agency but cannot predict the outcome of its investigation at this time. It is also possible that other regulatory agencies may commence investigations and allege additional violations.

On June 19, 2005, the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Environment of the State of Oklahoma filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma against Tyson Foods, Inc., three subsidiaries and six other poultry integrators. The complaint, which was subsequently amended, asserts a number of state and federal causes of action including, but not limited to, counts under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and state-law public nuisance theories. Oklahoma alleges that the defendants and certain contract growers who were not joined in the lawsuit polluted the surface waters, groundwater and associated drinking water supplies of the Illinois River Watershed through the land application of poultry litter. Oklahoma’s claims were narrowed through various rulings issued before and during trial and its claims for natural resource damages were dismissed by the district court in a ruling issued on July 22, 2009, which was subsequently affirmed on appeal by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. A non-jury trial of the remaining claims including Oklahoma’s request for injunctive relief began on September 24, 2009. Closing arguments were held on February 11, 2010. The district court has not yet rendered its decision from the trial.

Other Matters: At July 1, 2015, we had approximately 113,000 employees and, at any time, we have various employment practices matters outstanding. In the aggregate, these matters are significant to the Company, and we devote significant resources to managing employment issues. Additionally, we are subject to other lawsuits, investigations and claims (some of which involve substantial amounts) arising out of the conduct of our business. While the ultimate results of these matters cannot be determined, they are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.


Item 1A.	Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors listed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2014 . These risk factors should be considered carefully with the information provided elsewhere in this report, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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

The table below provides information regarding our purchases of Class A stock during the periods indicated.



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs ⁽¹⁾
Mar. 29, 2015 to Apr. 25, 2015	60,656		$	38.95	—		28,804,771
Apr. 26, 2015 to May 30, 2015	528,375		41.78		394,473		28,410,298
May 31, 2015 to June 27, 2015	540,289		41.87		480,527		27,929,771
Total	1,129,320	⁽²⁾	$	41.67	875,000	⁽³⁾	27,929,771

(1)

On February 7, 2003, we announced our Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase up to 25 million shares of Class A common stock from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions. On May 3, 2012, our Board of Directors approved an increase of 35 million shares authorized for repurchase under this program. On January 30, 2014, our Board of Directors approved an increase of 25 million shares authorized for repurchase under this program. The program has no fixed or scheduled termination date.


(2)	We purchased 254,320 shares during the period that were not made pursuant to our previously announced stock repurchase program, but were purchased to fund certain Company obligations under our equity compensation plans. These transactions included 226,138 shares purchased in open market transactions and 28,182 shares withheld to cover required tax withholdings on the vesting of restricted stock.


(3)	These shares were purchased during the period pursuant to our previously announced stock repurchase program.


Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None


Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable


Item 5.	Other Information

None

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Item 6.	Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed with this report.



Exhibit No.		Exhibit Description

10.1		Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2015, by and among the Company, Bank of America, N.A. as lender, and Merill Lynch, Piere, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner (previously filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 8, 2015, Commission File No. 001-14704, and incorporated herein by reference).

12.1		Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101		The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June, 27, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income, (ii) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

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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.



	TYSON FOODS, INC.

Date: August 3, 2015		/s/ Dennis Leatherby
		Dennis Leatherby
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 3, 2015		/s/ Curt T. Calaway
		Curt T. Calaway
		Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

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Part I. Financial Informationprint Item 1. Financial Statementsprint Note 1: Accounting Policiesprint Note 2: Acquisitions and Dispositionsprint Note 3: Inventoriesprint Note 4: Property, Plant and Equipmentprint Note 5: Other Current Liabilitiesprint Note 6: Debtprint Note 7: Equityprint Note 8: Income Taxesprint Note 9: Other Income and Chargesprint Note 10: Earnings Per Shareprint Note 11: Derivative Financial Instrumentsprint Note 12: Fair Value Measurementsprint Note 13: Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plansprint Note 14: Other Comprehensive Income (loss)print Note 15: Segment Reportingprint Note 16: Commitments and Contingenciesprint Note 17: Condensed Consolidating Financial Statementsprint Item 2. Management S Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of Operationsprint Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Riskprint Item 4. Controls and Proceduresprint Part II. Other Informationprint Item 1. Legal Proceedingsprint Item 1A. Risk Factorsprint Item 2. Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities and Use Of Proceedsprint Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securitiesprint Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosuresprint Item 5. Other Informationprint Item 6. Exhibitsprint

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