TSN 2012 Q2 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 March 31, 2012
or
¨
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.
Large accelerated filer
 
x
 
Accelerated filer
 
¨
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
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 March 31, 2012.
Class
 
Outstanding Shares
Class A Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value (Class A stock)
 
295,517,591

Class B Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value (Class B stock)
 
70,017,755



TYSON FOODS, INC.
INDEX
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
PAGE
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 


2
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
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Sales
$
8,268

 
$
8,000

 
$
16,597

 
$
15,615

Cost of Sales
7,733

 
7,467

 
15,569

 
14,338

Gross Profit
535

 
533

 
1,028

 
1,277

Selling, General and Administrative
233

 
230

 
448

 
476

Operating Income
302

 
303

 
580

 
801

Other (Income) Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
(5
)
 
(3
)
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
Interest expense
52

 
63

 
101

 
129

Other, net
(2
)
 
2

 
(14
)
 
(8
)
Total Other (Income) Expense
45

 
62

 
80

 
115

Income before Income Taxes
257

 
241

 
500

 
686

Income Tax Expense
91

 
85

 
178

 
236

Net Income
166

 
156

 
322

 
450

Less: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
—

 
(3
)
 
—

 
(7
)
Net Income Attributable to Tyson
$
166

 
$
159

 
$
322

 
$
457

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A Basic
294

 
305

 
295

 
305

Class B Basic
70

 
70

 
70

 
70

Diluted
373

 
383

 
374

 
381

Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A Basic
$
0.47

 
$
0.43

 
$
0.90

 
$
1.24

Class B Basic
$
0.42

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.81

 
$
1.12

Diluted
$
0.44

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.86

 
$
1.20

Cash Dividends Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A
$
0.040

 
$
0.040

 
$
0.080

 
$
0.080

Class B
$
0.036

 
$
0.036

 
$
0.072

 
$
0.072

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.


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TYSON FOODS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited) 
 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
Assets
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
723

 
$
716

Accounts receivable, net
1,253

 
1,321

Inventories
2,622

 
2,587

Other current assets
152

 
156

Total Current Assets
4,750

 
4,780

Net Property, Plant and Equipment
3,943

 
3,823

Goodwill
1,892

 
1,892

Intangible Assets
143

 
149

Other Assets
442

 
427

Total Assets
$
11,170

 
$
11,071

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Current debt
$
84

 
$
70

Accounts payable
1,191

 
1,264

Other current liabilities
895

 
1,040

Total Current Liabilities
2,170

 
2,374

Long-Term Debt
2,136

 
2,112

Deferred Income Taxes
433

 
424

Other Liabilities
496

 
476

Shareholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock ($0.10 par value):
 
 
 
Class A-authorized 900 million shares, issued 322 million shares
32

 
32

Convertible Class B-authorized 900 million shares, issued 70 million shares
7

 
7

Capital in excess of par value
2,266

 
2,261

Retained earnings
4,094

 
3,801

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(40
)
 
(79
)
Treasury stock, at cost – 26 million shares at March 31, 2012, and 22 million shares at October 1, 2011
(453
)
 
(365
)
Total Tyson Shareholders’ Equity
5,906

 
5,657

Noncontrolling Interest
29

 
28

Total Shareholders’ Equity
5,935

 
5,685

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
11,170

 
$
11,071

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

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TYSON FOODS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited) 
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
322

 
$
450

Depreciation and amortization
245

 
256

Deferred income taxes
53

 
60

Other, net
41

 
40

Net changes in working capital
(207
)
 
(603
)
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
454

 
203

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(344
)
 
(319
)
Purchases of marketable securities
(25
)
 
(107
)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
13

 
27

Proceeds from notes receivable
—

 
51

Other, net
17

 
25

Cash Used for Investing Activities
(339
)
 
(323
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Payments on debt
(41
)
 
(65
)
Net proceeds from borrowings
56

 
—

Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock
(128
)
 
(21
)
Dividends
(29
)
 
(30
)
Other, net
29

 
45

Cash Used for Financing Activities
(113
)
 
(71
)
Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash
5

 
7

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
7

 
(184
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
716

 
978

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
723

 
$
794

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.


5
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 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. 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 October 1, 2011. Preparation of consolidated condensed financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions 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 March 31, 2012, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, and April 2, 2011. 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 are the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
We have an investment in a joint venture, Dynamic Fuels LLC (Dynamic Fuels), in which we have a 50 percent ownership interest. Dynamic Fuels qualifies as a variable interest entity for which we consolidate as we are the primary beneficiary. At March 31, 2012, Dynamic Fuels had $178 million of total assets, of which $141 million was net property, plant and equipment, and $128 million of total liabilities, of which $100 million was long-term debt. At October 1, 2011, Dynamic Fuels had $170 million of total assets, of which $144 million was net property, plant and equipment, and $116 million of total liabilities, of which $100 million was long-term debt.
SHARE REPURCHASES
On May 11, 2011, we announced our Board of Directors reactivated a share repurchase program, which had no activity since fiscal 2005, to repurchase up to the remaining available 22.5 million shares of Class A common stock under the program. The share repurchase program has no fixed or scheduled termination date. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, we repurchased 3.6 million and 5.4 million shares for approximately $70 million and $105 million, respectively, under this program. As of March 31, 2012, 7.4 million shares remained available for repurchase. On May 3, 2012, our Board of Directors approved an increase of 35 million shares authorized for repurchase under this program. The timing and extent to which we repurchase shares will depend upon, among other things, market conditions, liquidity targets, limitations under our debt obligations and regulatory requirements. In addition to the share repurchase program, we purchase shares of Class A common stock on the open market to fund certain obligations under our equity compensation plans. These repurchases totaled $23 million and $21 million for the six months ended March 31, 2012, and April 2, 2011, respectively.
CASH FLOW STATEMENT PRESENTATION
In March 2011, we collected $51 million of notes receivable associated with our 2008 sale of assets of three of our Alberta, Canada subsidiaries (collectively, Lakeside). This cash receipt has been reflected in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended April 2, 2011, as an investing activity, revising the previous presentation of the receipt from operating activities in the fiscal 2011 second quarter consolidated condensed financial statements. As a result, operating and investing cash flows previously reported at $254 million and ($374) million, respectively, were revised to $203 million and ($323) million, respectively, for the six months ended April 2, 2011.
RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 2011, the FASB clarified the guidance around fair value measurements and disclosures. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted this guidance in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. The adoption did not have a significant impact on our consolidated condensed financial statements.

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RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance regarding the presentation of comprehensive income. This guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. We anticipate we will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. Upon adoption, we will be required to present comprehensive income as part of our consolidated condensed statements of income, or in a separate financial statement. Currently, we present such information in our notes to the consolidated condensed financial statements. Other than changing the presentation of comprehensive income, we do not expect the adoption will have a significant impact on our consolidated condensed financial statements.
In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance amending the way companies test for goodwill impairment, allowing the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative impairment test. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt the guidance in connection with our annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. We do not expect the adoption will have a significant impact on our consolidated condensed financial statements.
In December 2011, the FASB issued guidance enhancing disclosures related to offsetting of certain assets and liabilities. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. We do not expect the adoption will have a significant impact on our consolidated condensed financial statements.
NOTE 2: 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, contract grower pay and catch and haul costs), labor and manufacturing and production overhead, which are related to the purchase and production of inventories. Total inventory consists of the following (in millions):
 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
Processed products:
 
 
 
Weighted-average method – chicken and prepared foods
$
678

 
$
715

First-in, first-out method – beef and pork
659

 
581

Livestock – first-in, first-out method
888

 
928

Supplies and other – weighted-average method
397

 
363

Total inventories
$
2,622

 
$
2,587

NOTE 3: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The major categories of property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation are as follows (in millions) 
 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
Land
$
98

 
$
95

Buildings and leasehold improvements
2,766

 
2,698

Machinery and equipment
4,925

 
4,897

Land improvements and other
390

 
386

Buildings and equipment under construction
503

 
446

 
8,682

 
8,522

Less accumulated depreciation
4,739

 
4,699

Net property, plant and equipment
$
3,943

 
$
3,823

NOTE 4: OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other current liabilities are as follows (in millions):
 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
$
309

 
$
407

Self-insurance reserves
284

 
298

Other
302

 
335

Total other current liabilities
$
895

 
$
1,040


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NOTE 5: DEBT
The major components of debt are as follows (in millions):
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
Revolving credit facility
$
—

 
$
—

Senior notes:
 
 
 
3.25% Convertible senior notes due October 2013 (2013 Notes)
458

 
458

10.50% Senior notes due March 2014 (2014 Notes)
810

 
810

6.85% Senior notes due April 2016 (2016 Notes)
638

 
638

7.00% Notes due May 2018
120

 
120

7.00% Notes due January 2028
18

 
18

Discount on senior notes
(60
)
 
(76
)
GO Zone tax-exempt bonds due October 2033 (0.19% at 3/31/2012)
100

 
100

Other
136

 
114

Total debt
2,220

 
2,182

Less current debt
84

 
70

Total long-term debt
$
2,136

 
$
2,112

Revolving Credit Facility
We have a $1.0 billion revolving credit facility that supports short-term funding needs and letters of credit. This facility is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all of our domestic subsidiaries. The facility will mature and the commitments thereunder will terminate in February 2016, provided that (a) at any time during the six-month period ending November 29, 2013, we have corporate credit ratings not lower than BBB- and Baa3 from Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (S&P), and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s), respectively, in each case with stable outlook or better, (b) on or prior to November 29, 2013, we have refinanced, purchased, or defeased the 2014 Notes, or (c) we have irrevocably deposited cash in an amount not less than the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 2014 Notes on or prior to November 29, 2013, in a blocked cash collateral account. In the event none of the foregoing events have occurred, the loans made under this facility will mature and the commitments thereunder will terminate on November 29, 2013. As of March 31, 2012, none of the foregoing events have occurred.
After reducing the amount available by outstanding letters of credit issued under this facility, the amount available for borrowing under this facility at March 31, 2012, was $955 million. At March 31, 2012, we had outstanding letters of credit issued under this facility totaling $45 million, none of which were drawn upon. We had an additional $150 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, derivative activities and Dynamic Fuels’ Gulf Opportunity Zone tax-exempt bonds.
2013 Notes
In September 2008, we issued $458 million principal amount 3.25% convertible senior unsecured notes due October 15, 2013, with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15. The conversion rate initially is 59.1935 shares of Class A stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of $16.89 per share of Class A stock. The 2013 Notes may be converted before the close of business on July 12, 2013, only under the following circumstances:
•
during any fiscal quarter after December 27, 2008, if the last reported sale price of our Class A stock for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter is at least 130% of the applicable conversion price on each applicable trading day (which would currently require our shares to trade at or above $21.96); or
•
during the five business days after any 10 consecutive trading days (measurement period) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our Class A stock and the applicable conversion rate on each such day; or
•
upon the occurrence of specified corporate events as defined in the supplemental indenture.
On and after July 15, 2013, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. Upon conversion, we will deliver cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the 2013 Notes to be converted and shares of our Class A stock in respect of the remainder, if any, of our conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the 2013 Notes being converted. As of March 31, 2012, none of the conditions permitting conversion of the 2013 Notes had been satisfied.

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Table of Contents

The 2013 Notes were originally accounted for as a combined instrument because the conversion feature did not meet the requirements to be accounted for separately as a derivative financial instrument. However, we adopted new accounting guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and applied it retrospectively to all periods presented. This new accounting guidance required us to separately account for the liability and equity conversion features. Upon retrospective adoption, our effective interest rate on the 2013 Notes was determined to be 8.26%, which resulted in the recognition of a $92 million discount to these notes with the offsetting after tax amount of $56 million recorded to capital in excess of par value. This discount is being accreted over the five-year term of the convertible notes at the effective interest rate.
In connection with the issuance of the 2013 Notes, we entered into separate convertible note hedge transactions with respect to our Class A stock to minimize the potential economic dilution upon conversion of the 2013 Notes. We also entered into separate warrant transactions. We recorded the purchase of the note hedge transactions as a reduction to capital in excess of par value, net of $36 million pertaining to the related deferred tax asset, and we recorded the proceeds of the warrant transactions as an increase to capital in excess of par value. Subsequent changes in fair value of these instruments are not recognized in the financial statements as long as the instruments continue to meet the criteria for equity classification.
We purchased call options in private transactions for $94 million that permit us to acquire up to approximately 27 million shares of our Class A stock at an initial strike price of $16.89 per share, subject to adjustment. The call options allow us to acquire a number of shares of our Class A stock initially equal to the number of shares of Class A stock issuable to the holders of the 2013 Notes upon conversion. These call options will terminate upon the maturity of the 2013 Notes.
We sold warrants in private transactions for total proceeds of $44 million. The warrants permit the purchasers to acquire up to approximately 27 million shares of our Class A stock at an initial exercise price of $22.31 per share, subject to adjustment. The warrants are exercisable on various dates from January 2014 through March 2014.
The maximum amount of shares that may be issued to satisfy the conversion of the 2013 Notes is limited to 35.9 million shares. However, the convertible note hedge and warrant transactions, in effect, increase the initial conversion price of the 2013 Notes from $16.89 per share to $22.31 per share, thus reducing the potential future economic dilution associated with conversion of the 2013 Notes. If our share price is below $22.31 upon conversion of the 2013 Notes, there is no economic net share impact. Upon conversion, a 10% increase in our share price above the $22.31 conversion price would result in the issuance of 2.5 million incremental shares. The 2013 Notes and the warrants could have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share to the extent the price of our Class A stock during a given measurement period exceeds the respective exercise prices of those instruments. The call options are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as their impact is anti-dilutive.
2016 Notes
The 2016 Notes carried an interest rate at issuance of 6.60%, with an interest step up feature dependent on their credit rating. On February 24, 2011, S&P upgraded the credit rating of these notes from “BB+” to “BBB-.” On March 29, 2011, Moody’s upgraded the credit rating of these notes from “Ba2” to “Ba1”. These upgrades decreased the interest rate on the 2016 Notes from 7.35% to 6.85%, effective beginning with the six-month interest payment due April 1, 2011.
GO Zone Tax-Exempt Bonds
In October 2008, Dynamic Fuels received $100 million in proceeds from the sale of Gulf Opportunity Zone tax-exempt bonds made available by the federal government to the regions affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. These floating rate bonds are due October 1, 2033. In November 2008, we entered into an interest rate swap related to these bonds to mitigate our interest rate risk on a portion of the bonds for five years. We also issued a letter of credit as a guarantee for the entire bond issuance.
Debt Covenants
Our revolving credit facility contains 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; pay dividends or make other payments in respect of our capital stock; amend material documents; change the nature of our business; make certain payments of debt; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and enter into sale/leaseback or hedging transactions, in each case, subject to certain qualifications and exceptions. In addition, we are required to maintain minimum interest expense coverage and maximum leverage ratios.
Our 2014 Notes also contain affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, may limit or restrict our ability to: incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; make certain investments and restricted payments; create liens; create restrictions on distributions from subsidiaries; engage in specified sales of assets and subsidiary stock; enter into transactions with affiliates; enter new lines of business; engage in consolidation, mergers and acquisitions; and engage in certain sale/leaseback transactions.
We were in compliance with all debt covenants at March 31, 2012.


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NOTE 6: INCOME TAXES
The effective tax rate was 35.3% and 34.9% for the second quarter of fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effective tax rate was 35.5% and 34.3% for the six months of fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively. The effective tax rate for the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2012 was impacted by such items as the domestic production deduction, state income taxes, losses in foreign jurisdictions and related valuation allowances and the reduction of valuation allowances related to state net operating loss and credit carryforwards.
Unrecognized tax benefits were $171 million and $174 million at March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, that would impact our effective tax rate was $154 million and $155 million at March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, respectively.
We classify interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. At March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, before tax benefits, we had $58 million of accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits.
We are subject to income tax examinations for U.S. federal income taxes for fiscal years 2003 through 2010, and for foreign, state and local income taxes for fiscal years 2001 through 2010. During the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that tax audit resolutions could reduce unrecognized tax benefits by an immaterial amount, either because tax positions are sustained on audit or because we agree to their disallowance.
NOTE 7: OTHER INCOME AND CHARGES
During the six months of fiscal 2012, we recorded $8 million of equity earnings in joint ventures and $6 million in net foreign currency exchange gains, which were recorded in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in Other, net.
During the six months of fiscal 2011, we recorded an $11 million gain related to a sale of interests in an equity method investment. This gain was recorded in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in Other, net.

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NOTE 8: 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
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
166

 
$
156

 
$
322

 
$
450

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
(3
)
 
—

 
(7
)
Net income attributable to Tyson
166

 
159

 
322

 
457

Less Dividends:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A ($0.040/share/quarter)
12

 
13

 
24

 
25

Class B ($0.036/share/quarter)
2

 
2

 
5

 
5

Undistributed earnings
$
152

 
$
144

 
$
293

 
$
427

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A undistributed earnings
$
125

 
$
120

 
$
242

 
$
354

Class B undistributed earnings
27

 
24

 
51

 
73

Total undistributed earnings
$
152

 
$
144

 
$
293

 
$
427

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A weighted average shares
294

 
305

 
295

 
305

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

Convertible 2013 Notes
4

 
2

 
4

 
1

Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions
373

 
383

 
374

 
381

Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class A Basic
$
0.47

 
$
0.43

 
$
0.90

 
$
1.24

Class B Basic
$
0.42

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.81

 
$
1.12

Diluted
$
0.44

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.86

 
$
1.20

Approximately 4 million of our stock-based compensation shares were antidilutive for both the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, and approximately 4 million of our stock-based compensation shares were antidilutive for both the three and six months ended April 2, 2011. These shares were not included in the dilutive 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.
NOTE 9: 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.

11
Table of Contents

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 March 31, 2012.
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., fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation). 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 and option 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 forecasted purchases (i.e., livestock).
•
Net Investment Hedges – include certain foreign currency forward contracts of permanently invested capital in certain foreign subsidiaries.
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 six months ended March 31, 2012, and April 2, 2011.
We had the following aggregated notionals of outstanding forward and option contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges (in millions, except soy meal tons): 
 
Metric
 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
Commodity:
 
 
 
 
 
Corn
Bushels
 
12

 
6

Soy meal
Tons
 
81,300

 
82,300

Foreign Currency
United States dollar
 
$
78

 
$
75

As of March 31, 2012, the net amounts expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months related to grain and foreign currency are not significant. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, and April 2, 2011, 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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Table of Contents

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
 
March 31,
2012
 
April 2,
2011
 
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
April 2,
2011
Cash Flow Hedge – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
4

 
$
3

 
Cost of Sales
 
$
(10
)
 
$
6

Foreign exchange contracts
(2
)
 
—

 
Other Income/Expense
 
—

 
—

Total
$
2

 
$
3

 
 
 
$
(10
)
 
$
6


 
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in OCI
On Derivatives
 
 
Consolidated Condensed
Statements of Income
Classification
 
Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified from
OCI to Earnings
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31,
2012
 
April 2,
2011
 
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
April 2,
2011
Cash Flow Hedge – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
6

 
$
28

 
Cost of Sales
 
$
(16
)
 
$
26

Foreign exchange contracts
(7
)
 
—

 
Other Income/Expense
 
5

 
—

Total
$
(1
)
 
$
28

 
 
 
$
(11
)
 
$
26

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 notionals of outstanding forward contracts entered into to hedge forecasted commodity purchases which are accounted for as a fair value hedge (in millions): 
 
Metric
 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
Commodity:
 
 
 
 
 
Live Cattle
Pounds
 
322

 
318

Lean Hogs
Pounds
 
444

 
601

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
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
April 2,
2011
 
March 31,
2012
 
April 2,
2011
Gain/(Loss) on forwards
Cost of Sales
 
$
8

 
$
(43
)
 
$
—

 
$
(44
)
Gain/(Loss) on purchase contract
Cost of Sales
 
(8
)
 
43

 
—

 
44

Ineffectiveness related to our fair value hedges was not significant for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, and April 2, 2011.

13
Table of Contents

Foreign net investment hedges
We utilize forward foreign exchange contracts to protect the value of our net investments in certain foreign subsidiaries. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign currency, the gain or loss is reported in OCI as part of the cumulative translation adjustment to the extent it is effective, with the related amounts due to or from counterparties included in other liabilities or other assets. We utilize the forward-rate method of assessing hedge effectiveness. Any ineffective portions of net investment hedges are recognized in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income during the period of change. Ineffectiveness related to our foreign net investment hedges was not significant for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, and April 2, 2011. At March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, we had $27 million and $35 million aggregate outstanding notionals related to our forward foreign currency contracts accounted for as foreign net investment hedges.
The following table sets forth the pretax impact of these 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
 
March 31,
2012
 
April 2,
2011
 
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
April 2,
2011
Net Investment Hedge – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)
 
Other Income/Expense
 
$
—

 
$
—


 
Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in OCI
On Derivatives
 
 
Consolidated Condensed
Statements of Income
Classification
 
Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified from
OCI to Earnings
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31,
2012
 
April 2,
2011
 
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
April 2,
2011
Net Investment Hedge – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
$
(2
)
 
$
(3
)
 
Other Income/Expense
 
$
—

 
$
—

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 and energy, foreign currency risk and interest rate 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, energy and livestock 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 sale in the future 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 option and future positions to mitigate a portion of this risk. Changes in market value of the open livestock 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 currently impacts earnings.
The objective of our undesignated interest rate swap is to manage interest rate risk exposure on a floating-rate bond. Our interest rate swap agreement effectively modifies our exposure to interest rate risk by converting a portion of the floating-rate bond to a fixed rate basis for the first five years, thus reducing the impact of the interest-rate changes on future interest expense. This interest rate swap does not qualify for hedge treatment due to differences in the underlying bond and swap contract interest-rate indices.

14
Table of Contents

We had the following aggregate outstanding notionals related to our undesignated positions (in millions, except soy meal tons) : 
 
Metric
 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
Commodity:
 
 
 
 
 
Corn
Bushels
 
4

 
17

Soy Meal
Tons
 
33,700

 
174,600

Soy Oil
Pounds
 
6

 
13

Live Cattle
Pounds
 
120

 
72

Lean Hogs
Pounds
 
129

 
19

Foreign Currency
United States dollars
 
$
68

 
$
110

Interest Rate
Average monthly notional debt
 
$
34

 
$
39

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
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
Sales
 
$
(6
)
 
$
17

 
$
(9
)
 
$
31

Commodity contracts
Cost of Sales
 
29

 
(10
)
 
58

 
11

Foreign exchange contracts
Other Income/Expense
 
(3
)
 
(6
)
 
—

 
(7
)
Total
 
 
$
20

 
$
1

 
$
49

 
$
35

The following table sets forth the fair value of all derivative instruments outstanding in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (in millions):
 
Fair Value
 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
Derivative Assets:
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
51

 
$
3

Foreign exchange contracts
—

 
12

Total derivative assets – designated
51

 
15

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
20

 
21

Foreign exchange contracts
1

 
5

Total derivative assets – not designated
21

 
26

 
 
 
 
Total derivative assets
$
72

 
$
41

Derivative Liabilities:
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
1

 
$
41

Foreign exchange contracts
1

 
—

Total derivative liabilities – designated
2

 
41

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
59

 
121

Foreign exchange contracts
—

 
1

Interest rate contracts
1

 
2

Total derivative liabilities – not designated
60

 
124

 
 
 
 
Total derivative liabilities
$
62

 
$
165



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Table of Contents

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 10: Fair Value Measurements for a reconciliation to amounts reported in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets in Other current assets and Other current liabilities.

NOTE 10: 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. 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): 
March 31, 2012
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting (a)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Derivatives
$
—

 
$
71

 
$
—

 
$
(50
)
 
$
21

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
—

 
1

 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

Available for Sale Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities
—

 
32

 
79

 
—

 
111

Equity securities
8

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
8

Deferred Compensation Assets
28

 
150

 
—

 
—

 
178

Total Assets
$
36

 
$
254

 
$
79

 
$
(51
)
 
$
318

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Derivatives
$
—

 
$
60

 
$
—

 
$
(60
)
 
$
—

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
—

 
1

 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

Interest Rate Swap
—

 
1

 
—

 
—

 
1

Total Liabilities
$
—

 
$
62

 
$
—

 
$
(61
)
 
$
1


16
Table of Contents

October 1, 2011
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting (a)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Derivatives
$
—

 
$
24

 
$
—

 
$
(21
)
 
$
3

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
—

 
17

 
—

 
(2
)
 
15

Available for Sale Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities
—

 
34

 
83

 
—

 
117

Equity securities
7

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7

Deferred Compensation Assets
28

 
122

 
—

 
—

 
150

Total Assets
$
35

 
$
197

 
$
83

 
$
(23
)
 
$
292

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Derivatives
$
—

 
$
162

 
$
—

 
$
(135
)
 
$
27

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
—

 
1

 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

Interest Rate Swap
—

 
2

 
—

 
—

 
2

Total Liabilities
$
—

 
$
165

 
$
—

 
$
(136
)
 
$
29


(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 March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, we had posted with various counterparties $10 million and $113 million, respectively, of cash collateral and held no cash collateral.
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): 
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Balance at beginning of year
$
83

 
$
73

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
 
 
 
Included in earnings
1

 
—

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
—

 
—

Purchases
12

 
9

Issuances
—

 
—

Settlements
(17
)
 
(9
)
Balance at end of period
$
79

 
$
73

Total gains (losses) for the six-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 derivatives, including commodities, foreign exchange contracts and an interest rate swap, primarily include exchange-traded and over-the-counter contracts which are further described in Note 9: 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. Our interest rate swap is recorded at fair value based on quoted LIBOR swap rates 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, observable market transactions of spot currency rates and forward currency prices or observable benchmark market rates at commonly quoted intervals.

17
Table of Contents

Available for Sale Securities: Our investments in marketable debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are included in Other Assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. These investments, which are generally long-term in nature with maturities ranging up to 35 years, are reported at fair value based on pricing models and quoted market prices adjusted for credit and non-performance risk. We classify our investments in U.S. government and agency 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 and asset-backed 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. We also classify privately held redeemable preferred stock securities as Level 3 as there is limited activity or less observable inputs into valuation models, including current interest rates and credit worthiness of the underlying private issuer. Significant changes to assumptions or unobservable inputs in the valuation of our Level 3 instruments would not have a significant impact to our consolidated financial statements.
Additionally, we have eight million shares of Syntroleum Corporation common stock and 4.25 million warrants, which expire in early fiscal 2014, to purchase an equivalent amount of Syntroleum Corporation common stock at an average price of $2.87. We record the shares and warrants in Other Assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets at fair value based on quoted market prices. We classify the shares as Level 1 as the fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets. We classify the warrants as Level 2 as fair value can be corroborated based on observable market data.
 
(in millions)
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
 
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
$
31

 
$
32

 
$
1

 
$
33

 
$
34

 
$
1

Corporate and Asset-Backed (a)
58

 
60

 
2

 
54

 
56

 
2

Redeemable Preferred Stock
19

 
19

 
—

 
27

 
27

 
—

Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
9

 
8

 
(1
)
 
9

 
7

 
(2
)
 
(a)
At March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, the amortized cost basis for Corporate and Asset-Backed debt securities had been reduced by accumulated other than temporary impairments of $2 million and $3 million, respectively.
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 impairments in earnings for the three and six months ending March 31, 2012, and April 2, 2011. No other than temporary losses were deferred in OCI as of March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011.
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 assets are included in earnings.

18
Table of Contents

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 six months ended March 31, 2012, and April 2, 2011.
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):
 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
Total Debt
$
2,451

 
$
2,220

 
$
2,334

 
$
2,182


NOTE 11: COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The components of comprehensive income are as follows (in millions): 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Net income
$
166

 
$
156

 
$
322

 
$
450

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net hedging unrealized (gain) loss reclassified to earnings
6

 
(4
)
 
7

 
(17
)
Net hedging unrealized gain (loss)
1

 
2

 
(1
)
 
14

Unrealized gain on investments
—

 
2

 
1

 
—

Currency translation adjustment
27

 
24

 
30

 
19

Postretirement benefits reserve adjustments
1

 
1

 
2

 
1

Total comprehensive income
201

 
181

 
361

 
467

Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
—

 
(3
)
 
—

 
(7
)
Total comprehensive income attributable to Tyson
$
201

 
$
184

 
$
361

 
$
474

The related tax effects allocated to the components of comprehensive income are as follows (in millions): 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Income tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net hedging unrealized (gain) loss reclassified to earnings
$
4

 
$
(2
)
 
$
4

 
$
(9
)
Net hedging unrealized gain
1

 
1

 
—

 
14

Unrealized gain on investments
—

 
—

 
1

 
—

Total income tax expense
$
5

 
$
(1
)
 
$
5

 
$
5


19
Table of Contents

NOTE 12: SEGMENT REPORTING
We operate in four segments: Chicken, Beef, Pork and Prepared Foods. We measure segment profit as operating income (loss).
Chicken: Chicken operations include breeding and raising chickens, as well as processing live chickens into fresh, frozen and value-added chicken products and logistics operations to move products through the supply chain. 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 markets. It also includes sales from allied products and our chicken breeding stock subsidiary.
Beef: Beef operations include processing live fed cattle and fabricating dressed beef carcasses into primal and sub-primal meat cuts and case-ready products. 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. 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 markets. Allied products are marketed to manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and technical products.
Pork: Pork operations include processing live market hogs and fabricating pork carcasses into primal and sub-primal cuts and case-ready products. This segment also includes our live swine group, related allied product processing activities and logistics operations to move products through the supply chain. 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 markets. We sell allied products to pharmaceutical and technical products manufacturers, as well as a limited number of live swine to pork processors.
Prepared Foods: Prepared Foods operations include manufacturing and marketing frozen and refrigerated food products and logistics operations to move products through the supply chain. Products include pepperoni, bacon, beef and pork pizza toppings, pizza crusts, flour and corn tortilla products, appetizers, prepared meals, ethnic foods, soups, sauces, side dishes, meat dishes 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 markets.
The results from Dynamic Fuels are included in Other.
Information on segments and a reconciliation to income before income taxes are as follows (in millions): 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chicken
$
2,911

 
$
2,739

 
 
$
5,673

 
$
5,358

 
Beef
3,369

 
3,333

 
 
6,836

 
6,518

 
Pork
1,372

 
1,384

 
 
2,847

 
2,622

 
Prepared Foods
807

 
778

 
 
1,668

 
1,584

 
Other
46

 
25

 
 
100

 
33

 
Intersegment Sales
(237
)
 
(259
)
 
 
(527
)
 
(500
)
 
Total Sales
$
8,268

 
$
8,000

 
 
$
16,597

 
$
15,615

 
Operating Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chicken
$
145

 
$
37

 
 
$
177

 
$
218

 
Beef
(1
)
 
94

 
 
30

 
210

 
Pork
115

 
146

 
 
280

 
323

 
Prepared Foods
44

 
31

 
 
95

 
59

 
Other
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
 
(2
)
 
(9
)
 
Total Operating Income
302

 
303

 
 
580

 
801

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Other (Income) Expense
45

 
62

 
 
80

 
115

(a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before Income Taxes
$
257

 
$
241

 
 
$
500

 
$
686

 
 
(a)
Includes $11 million gain related to a sale of interests in an equity method investment.

20
Table of Contents

The Beef segment had sales of $49 million and $51 million in the second quarter of fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively, and sales of $113 million and $101 million in the six months of fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively, from transactions with other operating segments of the Company and Dynamic Fuels. The Pork segment had sales of $188 million and $208 million in the second quarter of fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively, and sales of $414 million and $399 million in the six months of fiscal 2012 and 2011, 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.
NOTE 13: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments
We guarantee obligations of certain outside third parties, which consists primarily of a lease and grower loans, all of which are substantially collateralized by the underlying assets. Terms of the underlying debt cover periods up to ten years, and the maximum potential amount of future payments as of March 31, 2012, was $82 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 seven years. The maximum potential amount of the residual value guarantees is $60 million, of which $54 million would 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 March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, 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 March 31, 2012, was approximately $220 million. The total receivables under these programs were $23 million and $28 million at March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, respectively, and are included, net of allowance for uncollectible amounts, in Accounts Receivable and Other Assets at March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, respectively, 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 recorded an allowance for these programs’ estimated uncollectible receivables of $9 million and $10 million at March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, respectively.
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 condensed 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.
We have pending against us a lawsuit styled DeAsencio v. Tyson Foods, Inc. (E. Dist. Pennsylvania, August 22, 2000) in which the plaintiffs allege that we failed to compensate certain poultry plant employees 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 Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA). They seek back wages, liquidated damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, and attorneys’ fees. Plaintiffs appealed a jury verdict and final judgment entered in our favor on June 22, 2006. On September 7, 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the jury verdict and remanded the case to the District Court for further proceedings. We sought rehearing en banc, which was denied by the Court of Appeals on October 5, 2007. The United States Supreme Court denied our petition for a writ of certiorari on June 9, 2008. The new trial date has not been set.

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Table of Contents

We have pending twelve separate wage and hour actions involving Tyson Fresh Meats Inc.’s plants located in Lexington, Nebraska (Lopez, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., D. Nebraska, June 30, 2006), Garden City and Emporia, Kansas (Garcia, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., D. Kansas, May 15, 2006), Storm Lake, Iowa (Bouaphakeo (f/k/a Sharp), et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., N.D. Iowa, February 6, 2007), Columbus Junction, Iowa (Guyton (f/k/a Robinson), et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., d.b.a Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., S.D. Iowa, September 12, 2007), Joslin, Illinois (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), Dakota City, Nebraska (Gomez, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., D. Nebraska, January 16, 2008), Madison, Nebraska (Acosta, et al. v Tyson Foods, Inc. d.b.a Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., D. Nebraska, February 29, 2008), Perry and Waterloo, Iowa (Edwards, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. d.b.a Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., S.D. Iowa, March 20, 2008); Council Bluffs, Iowa (Maxwell (f/k/a Salazar), et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. d.b.a Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., S.D. Iowa, April 29, 2008); Logansport, Indiana (Carter, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. and Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., N.D. Indiana, April 29, 2008); and Goodlettsville, Tennessee (Abadeer v. Tyson Foods, Inc., and Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., M.D. Tennessee, February 6, 2009). The actions allege we failed to pay employees for all hours worked, including overtime compensation for the time it takes to change into protective work uniforms, safety equipment and other sanitary and protective clothing worn by employees, and for walking to and from the changing area, work areas and break areas in violation of the FLSA and analogous 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.
•
After a trial in the Garcia case, which involved the Garden City, Kansas facility, a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiffs was entered on March 17, 2011. Exclusive of pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and costs, the jury found violations of federal and state laws for pre- and post-shift work activities and awarded damages in the amount of $503,011, respectively. Plaintiffs’ counsel has filed an application for attorneys’ fees and expenses in the amount of $3,475,422. We contested the application and are currently evaluating our appeal options.
•
A jury trial was held in the Lopez case, which involved the Lexington, NE beef plant, and resulted in a jury verdict in favor of Tyson. Judgment was entered and the complaint was dismissed with prejudice, on May 26, 2011. Plaintiffs filed an appeal with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on June 16, 2011, and oral argument is set for May 16, 2012.
•
A jury trial was held in the Bouaphakeo case, which involved the Storm Lake, Iowa pork plant and resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiffs on September 26, 2011. Exclusive of pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and costs, the jury found violations of federal and state laws for pre- and post-shift work activities and awarded damages in the amount of $2,892,379. On October 24, 2011, we renewed our motion for judgment as a matter of law due to a failure of class-wide proof and, in the alternative, for a new trial on damages.
•
A jury trial was held in the Guyton case, which involved the Columbus Junction, Iowa pork plant, and resulted in a jury verdict in favor of Tyson on April 25, 2012.
•
The Maxwell, Acosta, and Gomez cases are scheduled for trials on October 22, 2012, January 14, 2013, and March 18, 2013, respectively.
We have pending one wage and hour action involving our Tyson Prepared Foods plant located in Jefferson, Wisconsin (Weissman, et al. v. Tyson Prepared Foods, Inc., Jefferson County (Wisconsin) Circuit Court, October 20, 2010). The plaintiffs allege that employees should be paid 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 the associated time it takes to walk to and from their workstations post-donning and pre-doffing of protective and sanitary clothing. Six named plaintiffs seek to act as state law class representatives on behalf of all current and former employees who were allegedly not paid for time worked and seek back wages, liquidated damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, and attorneys’ fees and costs. On May 16, 2011, Plaintiffs filed a motion to certify a state law class of all hourly employees who have worked at the Jefferson plant from October 20, 2008, to the present. We have filed motions for summary judgment seeking dismissal of the claims, or, in the alternative, to limit the claims made for non-compensable clothes changing activities. The parties have agreed to attend pre-trial mediation in an effort to resolve the claims. The pre-trial mediation is scheduled for May 30, 2012. The trial date has not been set.

22
Table of Contents

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 us, three of our 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 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and state-law public nuisance theories. The amended complaint asserts that defendants and certain contract growers who are not named in the amended complaint polluted the surface waters, groundwater and associated drinking water supplies of the Illinois River Watershed (IRW) through the land application of poultry litter. Oklahoma asserts that this alleged pollution has also caused extensive injury to the environment (including soils and sediments) of the IRW and that the defendants have been unjustly enriched. Oklahoma’s claims cover the entire IRW, which encompasses more than one million acres of land and the natural resources (including lakes and waterways) contained therein. Oklahoma seeks wide-ranging relief, including injunctive relief, compensatory damages in excess of $800 million, an unspecified amount in punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. We and the other defendants have denied liability, asserted various defenses, and filed a third-party complaint that asserts claims against other persons and entities whose activities may have contributed to the pollution alleged in the amended complaint. The district court has stayed proceedings on the third party complaint pending resolution of Oklahoma’s claims against the defendants. On October 31, 2008, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss for failure to join the Cherokee Nation as a required party or, in the alternative, for judgment as a matter of law based on the plaintiffs’ lack of standing. This motion was granted in part and denied in part on July 22, 2009. In its ruling, the district court dismissed Oklahoma’s claims for cost recovery and for natural resources damages under CERCLA and for unjust enrichment under Oklahoma common law. This ruling also narrowed the scope of Oklahoma’s remaining claims by dismissing all damage claims under its causes of action for Oklahoma common law nuisance, federal common law nuisance, and Oklahoma common law trespass, leaving only its claims for injunctive relief for trial. On August 18, 2009, the Court granted partial summary judgment in favor of the defendants on Oklahoma’s claims for violations of the Oklahoma Registered Poultry Feeding Operations Act. Oklahoma later voluntarily dismissed the remainder of this claim. On September 2, 2009, the Cherokee Nation filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit. Its motion to intervene was denied on September 15, 2009, and the Cherokee Nation filed a notice of appeal of that ruling in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals on September 17, 2009. A non-jury trial of the case began on September 24, 2009. At the close of Oklahoma’s case-in-chief, the Court granted the defendants’ motions to dismiss claims based on RCRA, nuisance per se, and health risks related to bacteria. The defense rested its case on January 13, 2010, and closing arguments were held on February 11, 2010. On September 21, 2010, the Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s denial of the Cherokee Nation’s motion to intervene. On October 6, 2010, the Cherokee Nation and the State of Oklahoma filed a petition for rehearing or en banc review seeking reconsideration of this ruling. The Court of Appeals denied this petition. The district court has not yet rendered its decision from the trial, which ended in February 2010.
On May 8, 2008, a lawsuit was filed against the Company and two of our employees in the District Court of McCurtain County, Oklahoma styled Armstrong, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al. (the Armstrong Case). The lawsuit was brought by a group of 52 poultry growers who allege that certain of our live production practices in Oklahoma constitute fraudulent inducement, fraud, unjust enrichment, negligence, gross negligence, unconscionability, violations of the Oklahoma Business Sales Act, Deceptive Trade Practice violations, violations of the Consumer Protection Act, and conversion, as well as other theories of recovery. The plaintiffs sought damages in an unspecified amount. On October 30, 2009, 20 additional growers represented by the same attorney filed a lawsuit against us in the same court asserting the same or similar claims, which is styled Clardy, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al. (the Clardy Case). In both of these cases we have denied all allegations of wrongdoing. In June 2009, the plaintiffs in the Armstrong case requested an expedited trial date for a smaller group of plaintiffs they claimed were facing imminent financial peril. The Court ultimately severed a group of 10 plaintiffs from the Armstrong Case, and a trial began on March 15, 2010. On April 1, 2010, the jury returned a verdict against us and one of our employees, and on April 2, 2010, the Court entered a judgment in the amount of $8,655,735, which included punitive damages. Subsequent to the trial, the presiding judge disqualified from the cases and the Oklahoma Supreme Court appointed a new judge to the cases. Following this appointment, the trial court granted our motions for change of venue and to stay all future trials of plaintiffs in the Armstrong Case and the Clardy Case pending the outcome of our appeal of the initial Armstrong Case verdict. The trial court took under advisement the sizes of groupings of plaintiffs in future trials in response to our motion to sever the plaintiffs' claims into individual cases. We appealed the initial Armstrong Case verdict to the Oklahoma Supreme Court based on numerous irregularities and rulings during the trial, and the Oklahoma Supreme Court reversed the verdict and remanded the case back to the trial court. At this time, new trial dates in the Armstrong Case have not been scheduled, nor have trial dates for the Clardy Case.
In late 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 began a Clean Air Act investigation of the company related to operation and maintenance of ammonia refrigeration equipment at multiple facilities. The EPA subsequently referred the matter, which involves allegations of potential non-compliance with the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Plan requirements at 15 Tyson facilities in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska, to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). The EPA and DOJ have indicated they will seek monetary penalties and injunctive relief requiring equipment and infrastructure changes at several facilities. Currently we are engaged in settlement discussions with the EPA and DOJ.


23
Table of Contents

NOTE 14: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. (TFM Parent), our wholly-owned subsidiary, has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 2016 Notes. TFM Parent and substantially all of our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries fully guarantee the 2014 Notes. In the event the 2014 Notes are rated equal to or higher than BBB- and Baa3 by S&P and Moody’s, respectively, the guarantees will be suspended. Following a suspension of the guarantees, if the 2014 Notes are rated lower than BBB- or Baa3 by S&P or Moody’s, respectively, the guarantees will be reinstated. As of March 31, 2012, the 2014 Notes were rated BBB- and Ba1 by S&P and Moody’s, respectively; therefore, the condition for suspension of the guarantees had not been met. The following financial information presents condensed consolidating financial statements, which include Tyson Foods, Inc. (TFI Parent); TFM Parent; the other 2014 Notes’ guarantor subsidiaries (Guarantors) on a combined basis; the elimination entries necessary to reflect TFM Parent and the Guarantors, which collectively represent the 2014 Notes’ total guarantor subsidiaries (2014 Guarantors), on a combined basis; the 2014 Notes’ non-guarantor subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) on a combined basis; the elimination entries necessary to consolidate TFI Parent, the 2014 Guarantors 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(s).
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2012
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
2014 Guarantors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TFI
Parent
 
TFM
Parent
 
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Subtotal
 
Non-
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Total
Sales
$
76

 
$
4,620

 
$
3,457

 
$
(222
)
 
$
7,855

 
$
410

 
$
(73
)
 
$
8,268

Cost of Sales
(16
)
 
4,469

 
3,199

 
(228
)
 
7,440

 
374

 
(65
)
 
7,733

Gross Profit
92

 
151

 
258

 
6

 
415

 
36

 
(8
)
 
535

Selling, General and Administrative
9

 
57

 
147

 
6

 
210

 
22

 
(8
)
 
233

Operating Income
83

 
94

 
111

 
—

 
205

 
14

 
—

 
302

Other (Income) Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
2

 
24

 
22

 
—

 
46

 
(1
)
 
—

 
47

Other, net
(1
)
 
—

 
(2
)
 
—

 
(2
)
 
1

 
—

 
(2
)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries
(107
)
 
(29
)
 
5

 
26

 
2

 
(4
)
 
109

 
—

Total Other (Income) Expense
(106
)
 
(5
)
 
25

 
26

 
46

 
(4
)
 
109

 
45

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
189

 
99

 
86

 
(26
)
 
159

 
18

 
(109
)
 
257

Income Tax Expense
23

 
24

 
31

 
—

 
55

 
13

 
—

 
91

Net Income (Loss)
166

 
75

 
55

 
(26
)
 
104

 
5

 
(109
)
 
166

Less: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson
$
166

 
$
75

 
$
55

 
$
(26
)
 
$
104

 
$
5

 
$
(109
)
 
$
166




24
Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income for the three months ended April 2, 2011
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
2014 Guarantors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TFI
Parent
 
TFM
Parent
 
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Subtotal
 
Non-
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Total
Sales
$
10

 
$
4,609

 
$
3,302

 
$
(264
)
 
$
7,647

 
$
347

 
$
(4
)
 
$
8,000

Cost of Sales
(8
)
 
4,327

 
3,089

 
(264
)
 
7,152

 
327

 
(4
)
 
7,467

Gross Profit
18

 
282

 
213

 
—

 
495

 
20

 
—

 
533

Selling, General and Administrative
9

 
51

 
150

 
—

 
201

 
20

 
—

 
230

Operating Income
9

 
231

 
63

 
—

 
294

 
—

 
—

 
303

Other (Income) Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
27

 
23

 
13

 
—

 
36

 
(3
)
 
—

 
60

Other, net
4

 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
—

 
2

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries
(168
)
 
(29
)
 
(3
)
 
24

 
(8
)
 
(4
)
 
180

 
—

Total Other (Income) Expense
(137
)
 
(6
)
 
9

 
24

 
27

 
(8
)
 
180

 
62

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
146

 
237

 
54

 
(24
)
 
267

 
8

 
(180
)
 
241

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense
(13
)
 
72

 
13

 
—

 
85

 
13

 
—

 
85

Net Income (Loss)
159

 
165

 
41

 
(24
)
 
182

 
(5
)
 
(180
)
 
156

Less: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3
)
 
—

 
(3
)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson
$
159

 
$
165

 
$
41

 
$
(24
)
 
$
182

 
$
(2
)
 
$
(180
)
 
$
159


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income for the six months ended March 31, 2012
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
2014 Guarantors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TFI
Parent
 
TFM
Parent
 
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Subtotal
 
Non-
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Total
Sales
$
128

 
$
9,461

 
$
6,764

 
$
(505
)
 
$
15,720

 
$
864

 
$
(115
)
 
$
16,597

Cost of Sales
(8
)
 
9,111

 
6,301

 
(511
)
 
14,901

 
783

 
(107
)
 
15,569

Gross Profit
136

 
350

 
463

 
6

 
819

 
81

 
(8
)
 
1,028

Selling, General and Administrative
21

 
107

 
278

 
6

 
391

 
44

 
(8
)
 
448

Operating Income
115

 
243

 
185

 
—

 
428

 
37

 
—

 
580

Other (Income) Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(11
)
 
56

 
53

 
—

 
109

 
(4
)
 
—

 
94

Other, net
—

 
—

 
(8
)
 
—

 
(8
)
 
(6
)
 
—

 
(14
)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries
(234
)
 
(55
)
 
—

 
46

 
(9
)
 
(10
)
 
253

 
—

Total Other (Income) Expense
(245
)
 
1

 
45

 
46

 
92

 
(20
)
 
253

 
80

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
360

 
242

 
140

 
(46
)
 
336

 
57

 
(253
)
 
500

Income Tax Expense
38

 
64

 
47

 
—

 
111

 
29

 
—

 
178

Net Income (Loss)
322

 
178

 
93

 
(46
)
 
225

 
28

 
(253
)
 
322

Less: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson
$
322

 
$
178

 
$
93

 
$
(46
)
 
$
225

 
$
28

 
$
(253
)
 
$
322




25
Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income for the six months ended April 2, 2011
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
2014 Guarantors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TFI
Parent
 
TFM
Parent
 
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Subtotal
 
Non-
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Total
Sales
$
115

 
$
8,942

 
$
6,457

 
$
(505
)
 
$
14,894

 
$
705

 
$
(99
)
 
$
15,615

Cost of Sales
(51
)
 
8,327

 
6,015

 
(505
)
 
13,837

 
651

 
(99
)
 
14,338

Gross Profit
166

 
615

 
442

 
—

 
1,057

 
54

 
—

 
1,277

Selling, General and Administrative
26

 
107

 
298

 
—

 
405

 
45

 
—

 
476

Operating Income
140

 
508

 
144

 
—

 
652

 
9

 
—

 
801

Other (Income) Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(27
)
 
83

 
71

 
—

 
154

 
(4
)
 
—

 
123

Other, net
(8
)
 
—

 
(2
)
 
—

 
(2
)
 
2

 
—

 
(8
)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries
(333
)
 
(51
)
 
(16
)
 
44

 
(23
)
 
(6
)
 
362

 
—

Total Other (Income) Expense
(368
)
 
32

 
53

 
44

 
129

 
(8
)
 
362

 
115

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
508

 
476

 
91

 
(44
)
 
523

 
17

 
(362
)
 
686

Income Tax Expense
51

 
146

 
23

 
—

 
169

 
16

 
—

 
236

Net Income (Loss)
457

 
330

 
68

 
(44
)
 
354

 
1

 
(362
)
 
450

Less: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(7
)
 
—

 
(7
)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson
$
457

 
$
330

 
$
68

 
$
(44
)
 
$
354

 
$
8

 
$
(362
)
 
$
457



26
Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2012
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
2014 Guarantors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TFI
Parent
 
TFM
Parent
 
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Subtotal
 
Non-
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2

 
$
3

 
$
453

 
$
—

 
$
456

 
$
265

 
$
—

 
$
723

Accounts receivable, net
2

 
476

 
615

 
—

 
1,091

 
219

 
(59
)
 
1,253

Inventories
1

 
960

 
1,419

 
—

 
2,379

 
242

 
—

 
2,622

Other current assets
79

 
78

 
97

 
(66
)
 
109

 
54

 
(90
)
 
152

Total Current Assets
84

 
1,517

 
2,584

 
(66
)
 
4,035

 
780

 
(149
)
 
4,750

Net Property, Plant and Equipment
35

 
874

 
2,449

 
—

 
3,323

 
585

 
—

 
3,943

Goodwill
—

 
880

 
967

 
—

 
1,847

 
45

 
—

 
1,892

Intangible Assets
—

 
29

 
47

 
—

 
76

 
67

 
—

 
143

Other Assets
1,891

 
167

 
142

 
—

 
309

 
297

 
(2,055
)
 
442

Investment in Subsidiaries
11,665

 
2,047

 
859

 
(1,851
)
 
1,055

 
330

 
(13,050
)
 
—

Total Assets
$
13,675

 
$
5,514

 
$
7,048

 
$
(1,917
)
 
$
10,645

 
$
2,104

 
$
(15,254
)
 
$
11,170

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current debt
$
4

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
110

 
$
(30
)
 
$
84

Accounts payable
12

 
504

 
589

 
—

 
1,093

 
86

 
—

 
1,191

Other current liabilities
5,580

 
129

 
360

 
(66
)
 
423

 
392

 
(5,500
)
 
895

Total Current Liabilities
5,596

 
633

 
949

 
(66
)
 
1,516

 
588

 
(5,530
)
 
2,170

Long-Term Debt
1,992

 
1,043

 
780

 
—

 
1,823

 
277

 
(1,956
)
 
2,136

Deferred Income Taxes
—

 
107

 
336

 
—

 
443

 
8

 
(18
)
 
433

Other Liabilities
181

 
140

 
227

 
—

 
367

 
29

 
(81
)
 
496

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Tyson Shareholders’ Equity
5,906

 
3,591

 
4,756

 
(1,851
)
 
6,496

 
1,173

 
(7,669
)
 
5,906

Noncontrolling Interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
29

 
—

 
29

Total Shareholders’ Equity
5,906

 
3,591

 
4,756

 
(1,851
)
 
6,496

 
1,202

 
(7,669
)
 
5,935

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
13,675

 
$
5,514

 
$
7,048

 
$
(1,917
)
 
$
10,645

 
$
2,104

 
$
(15,254
)
 
$
11,170


27
Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of October 1, 2011
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
2014 Guarantors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TFI
Parent
 
TFM
Parent
 
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Subtotal
 
Non-
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
414

 
$
—

 
$
415

 
$
300

 
$
—

 
$
716

Accounts receivable, net
1

 
506

 
656

 
—

 
1,162

 
157

 
1

 
1,321

Inventories
2

 
926

 
1,440

 
—

 
2,366

 
219

 
—

 
2,587

Other current assets
62

 
95

 
102

 
(133
)
 
64

 
54

 
(24
)
 
156

Total Current Assets
66

 
1,528

 
2,612

 
(133
)
 
4,007

 
730

 
(23
)
 
4,780

Net Property, Plant and Equipment
37

 
875

 
2,369

 
—

 
3,244

 
542

 
—

 
3,823

Goodwill
—

 
881

 
966

 
—

 
1,847

 
45

 
—

 
1,892

Intangible Assets
—

 
31

 
49

 
—

 
80

 
69

 
—

 
149

Other Assets
2,179

 
180

 
147

 
(15
)
 
312

 
296

 
(2,360
)
 
427

Investment in Subsidiaries
11,396

 
1,923

 
769

 
(1,760
)
 
932

 
319

 
(12,647
)
 
—

Total Assets
$
13,678

 
$
5,418

 
$
6,912

 
$
(1,908
)
 
$
10,422

 
$
2,001

 
$
(15,030
)
 
$
11,071

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current debt
$
2

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
68

 
$
—

 
$
70

Accounts payable
8

 
525

 
648

 
—

 
1,173

 
83

 
—

 
1,264

Other current liabilities
5,808

 
144

 
442

 
(133
)
 
453

 
474

 
(5,695
)
 
1,040

Total Current Liabilities
5,818

 
669

 
1,090

 
(133
)
 
1,626

 
625

 
(5,695
)
 
2,374

Long-Term Debt
1,972

 
1,198

 
916

 
—

 
2,114

 
269

 
(2,243
)
 
2,112

Deferred Income Taxes
—

 
120

 
310

 
(15
)
 
415

 
9

 
—

 
424

Other Liabilities
231

 
142

 
191

 
—

 
333

 
29

 
(117
)
 
476

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Tyson Shareholders’ Equity
5,657

 
3,289

 
4,405

 
(1,760
)
 
5,934

 
1,041

 
(6,975
)
 
5,657

Noncontrolling Interest
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
28

 
—

 
28

Total Shareholders’ Equity
5,657

 
3,289

 
4,405

 
(1,760
)
 
5,934

 
1,069

 
(6,975
)
 
5,685

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
13,678

 
$
5,418

 
$
6,912

 
$
(1,908
)
 
$
10,422

 
$
2,001

 
$
(15,030
)
 
$
11,071



28
Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2012
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
2014 Guarantors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TFI
Parent
 
TFM
Parent
 
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Subtotal
 
Non-
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Total
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities
$
101

 
$
162

 
$
233

 
$
—

 
$
395

 
$
(42
)
 
$
—

 
$
454

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
—

 
(53
)
 
(235
)
 
—

 
(288
)
 
(56
)
 
—

 
(344
)
(Purchases of)/Proceeds from marketable securities, net
—

 
(8
)
 
(3
)
 
—

 
(11
)
 
(1
)
 
—

 
(12
)
Proceeds from notes receivable
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Other, net
2

 
2

 
6

 
—

 
8

 
7

 
—

 
17

Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities
2

 
(59
)
 
(232
)
 
—

 
(291
)
 
(50
)
 
—

 
(339
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in debt
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
15

 
—

 
15

Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock
(128
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(128
)
Dividends
(29
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(29
)
Other, net
29

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
29

Net change in intercompany balances
26

 
(101
)
 
38

 
—

 
(63
)
 
37

 
—

 
—

Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities
(102
)
 
(101
)
 
38

 
—

 
(63
)
 
52

 
—

 
(113
)
Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5

 
—

 
5

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
1

 
2

 
39

 
—

 
41

 
(35
)
 
—

 
7

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
1

 
1

 
414

 
—

 
415

 
300

 
—

 
716

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
2

 
$
3

 
$
453

 
$
—

 
$
456

 
$
265

 
$
—

 
$
723

 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended April 2, 2011
 
in millions
 
 
 
 
2014 Guarantors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TFI
Parent
 
TFM
Parent
 
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Subtotal
 
Non-
Guar-
antors
 
Elimin-
ations
 
Total
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities
$
110

 
$
95

 
$
59

 
$
—

 
$
154

 
$
(41
)
 
$
(20
)
 
$
203

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(1
)
 
(61
)
 
(209
)
 
—

 
(270
)
 
(48
)
 
—

 
(319
)
(Purchases of)/Proceeds from marketable securities, net
—

 
(58
)
 
(21
)
 
—

 
(79
)
 
(1
)
 
—

 
(80
)
Proceeds from notes receivable
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
51

 
—

 
51

Other, net
23

 
—

 
3

 
—

 
3

 
(1
)
 
—

 
25

Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities
22

 
(119
)
 
(227
)
 
—

 
(346
)
 
1

 
—

 
(323
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in debt
(69
)
 
(6
)
 
—

 
—

 
(6
)
 
10

 
—

 
(65
)
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock
(21
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(21
)
Dividends
(30
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(20
)
 
20

 
(30
)
Other, net
37

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
8

 
—

 
45

Net change in intercompany balances
(50
)
 
29

 
(50
)
 
—

 
(21
)
 
71

 
—

 
—

Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities
(133
)
 
23

 
(50
)
 
—

 
(27
)
 
69

 
20

 
(71
)
Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7

 
—

 
7

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(218
)
 
—

 
(219
)
 
36

 
—

 
(184
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
2

 
2

 
731

 
—

 
733

 
243

 
—

 
978

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
513

 
$
—

 
$
514

 
$
279

 
$
—

 
$
794


29
Table of Contents

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 meat protein companies and the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 with one of the most recognized brand names in the food industry. We produce, distribute and market chicken, beef, pork, prepared foods and related allied products. Our operations are conducted in four segments: Chicken, Beef, Pork and Prepared Foods. 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 of live cattle and hogs, raw materials, grain and feed ingredients; and operating efficiencies of our facilities.
Overview
•
General – As a result of continued focus on internal performance, improved domestic chicken market conditions and strong performance in our Pork and Prepared Foods segments, our operating results remained strong in the second quarter of fiscal 2012.
•
We continue to focus on maximizing our margins through margin management and operational efficiency improvements. Margin management improvements occurred in the areas of mix, export sales, price optimization and value-added products initiatives. The operational efficiencies occurred in the areas of yield, cost reduction and labor management.
•
Market environment – Driven by reduced industry supplies, domestic chicken market conditions continued its improvement in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, which contributed to the Chicken segment returning to its normalized operating margin range. Pork segment results remained strong based on continued solid demand and less domestic availability of pork which created a favorable pricing environment. Our Prepared Foods segment experienced less input cost volatility allowing its earnings to remain within its normalized operating margin range. Our Beef segment operated at break-even for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, due to volatile market conditions, lower availability of live cattle supplies and reduced demand for beef products, which made it difficult to pass along increased input costs.
•
Our total operating margins were 3.7% in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The following is a summary of operating margins by segment:
•
Chicken – 5.0%
•
Beef – 0.0%
•
Pork – 8.4%
•
Prepared Foods – 5.5%
•
Debt and Liquidity – During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, we generated $116 million of operating cash flows. Additionally, we repurchased, as part of our previously announced share repurchase program, 3.6 million shares of our stock for $70 million. At March 31, 2012, we had approximately $1.7 billion of liquidity, which includes availability under our credit facility and $723 million of cash and cash equivalents.
in millions, except per share data
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Net income attributable to Tyson
$
166

 
$
159

 
$
322

 
$
457

Net income attributable to Tyson – per diluted share
0.44

 
0.42

 
0.86

 
1.20

Six months of fiscal 2011 – Net income attributable to Tyson included the following item:
•
$11 million gain related to a sale of interests in an equity method investment.

30
Table of Contents

Fiscal 2012 Outlook
In fiscal 2012, overall domestic protein (chicken, beef, pork and turkey) production is expected to decrease. Because exports are likely to remain strong, we forecast total domestic availability of protein to be down 2-3% compared to fiscal 2011, which should continue to support improved pricing. The following is a summary of the fiscal 2012 outlook for each of our segments, as well as an outlook on sales, capital expenditures, net interest expense, debt and liquidity and share repurchases:
•
Chicken – For fiscal 2012, we expect industry production will decrease approximately 4% from fiscal 2011, which should allow for the continuation of improved market pricing conditions. Current futures prices indicate higher feed costs in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011. We expect to offset the increased feed costs with pricing and mix improvements as well as operational efficiencies expected to result in additional savings of $125 million in fiscal 2012. Our Chicken segment returned to its normalized operating margin range in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, and we expect results to remain strong for the remainder of the year.
•
Beef – We experienced a decrease of fed cattle supplies of approximately 5% in the first six months of fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011. However, we expect to see an increase in fed cattle in the second half of fiscal 2012, which would result in a total decrease of fed cattle supplies of 2-3% for fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011. Although we generally expect adequate supplies in the regions we operate our plants, there may be periods of imbalance of fed cattle supply and demand. We anticipate beef exports will remain strong in fiscal 2012. While our Beef segment remained profitable for the first six months of fiscal 2012, we were challenged by volatile market conditions and reduced demand for beef products, which made it difficult to pass along increased input costs. The difficult margin conditions we experienced in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 continued into the early part of the third quarter, but we expect them to recover throughout the remainder of the of the second-half of the fiscal year due to improved cattle supplies and typical seasonal demand. For fiscal 2012, we believe our Beef segment will be profitable, returning to our normalized range in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.
•
Pork – We expect hog supplies in fiscal 2012 to be up 1-2% compared to fiscal 2011 and to be adequate in the regions in which we operate. Additionally, we expect pork exports to remain strong in fiscal 2012. While we expect results should be above our normalized range for the fiscal year, we do not expect the remainder of fiscal 2012 to be at our first six-month levels.
•
Prepared Foods – We expect operational improvements and increased pricing to offset increased raw material costs. Because many of our sales contracts are formula based or shorter-term in nature, we are typically able to offset rising input costs through increased pricing. We expect results should remain within our normalized range for the balance of the fiscal year.
•
Sales – We expect fiscal 2012 sales to approximate $34 billion mostly resulting from price increases related to decreases in domestic availability of protein and rising raw material costs.
•
Capital Expenditures – We expect fiscal 2012 capital expenditures to be approximately $800-$850 million.
•
Net Interest Expense – We expect fiscal 2012 net interest expense will be approximately $190 million, down $41 million compared to fiscal 2011.
•
Debt and Liquidity – We do not have any significant scheduled maturities of debt due until October 2013 and may use our available cash to repurchase notes when available at attractive rates. Total liquidity at March 31, 2012, was $1.7 billion, well above our goal to maintain liquidity in excess of $1.2 billion.
•
Share Repurchases – We expect to continue repurchasing shares under our share repurchase program. In the second quarter of fiscal 2012, we repurchased 3.6 million shares for approximately $70 million. On May 3, 2012, our Board of Directors approved an increase of 35 million shares authorized for repurchase under this program. As of May 7, 2012, 42.4 million shares remain available for repurchase. The timing and extent to which we repurchase shares will depend upon, among other things, market conditions, liquidity targets, our debt obligations and regulatory requirements.

31
Table of Contents

Summary of Results
Sales
in millions
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Sales
$
8,268

 
$
8,000

 
$
16,597

 
$
15,615

Change in sales volume
(4.3
)%
 
 
 
(4.7
)%
 
 
Change in average sales price
7.7
 %
 
 
 
11.0
 %
 
 
Sales growth
3.4
 %
 

 
6.3
 %
 
 
Second quarter – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Average Sales Price – Sales were positively impacted by higher average sales prices, which accounted for an increase of $652 million. All segments, with the exception of the Pork segment, which was relatively flat, experienced increased average sales prices largely due to continued tight domestic availability of protein and increased live and raw material costs.
•
Sales Volume – Sales were negatively impacted by lower sales volume, which accounted for a decrease of $384 million. All segments had a decrease in sales volume, with the majority of the decrease in the Beef segment.
Six months – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Average Sales Price – Sales were positively impacted by higher average sales prices, which accounted for an increase of $1.7 billion. This increase was driven by an increase in average sales prices in all segments, which was largely due to continued tight domestic availability of protein and increased live and raw material costs.
•
Sales Volume – Sales were negatively impacted by lower sales volume, which accounted for a decrease of $742 million. All segments, with the exception of the Pork segment, had a decrease in sales volume, with the majority of the decrease in the Beef segment.

Cost of Sales
in millions
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Cost of sales
$
7,733

 
$
7,467

 
$
15,569

 
$
14,338

Gross margin
$
535

 
$
533

 
$
1,028

 
$
1,277

Cost of sales as a percentage of sales
93.5
%
 
93.3
%
 
93.8
%
 
91.8
%
Second quarter – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Cost of sales increased $266 million. Higher input cost per pound increased cost of sales $638 million, while lower sales volume decreased cost of sales $372 million.
•
The $638 million impact of higher input cost per pound was primarily driven by:
•
Increase in average domestic live cattle and hog costs of $500 million.
•
Increases in grain and other feed ingredients of $65 million and in other growout operating costs of $23 million in our Chicken segment.
•
Increase due to net losses of $3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, as compared to net gains of $23 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, from our commodity risk management activities related to grain and energy purchases, and excludes the impact from related physical purchase transactions which impact current and future period operating results.
•
The $372 million impact of lower sales volume was driven by decreases in sales volume in all segments, with the majority of the decrease in the Beef segment.
Six months – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Cost of sales increased $1.2 billion. Higher input cost per pound increased cost of sales $1.9 billion, while lower sales volume decreased cost of sales $706 million.
•
The $1.9 billion impact of higher input cost per pound was primarily driven by:
•
Increase in average domestic live cattle and hog costs of $1.3 billion.
•
Increase in grain and other feed ingredients of $285 million and in other growout operating costs of $53 million in our Chicken segment.
•
Increase due to net losses of $6 million in the six months of fiscal 2012, compared to net gains of $74 million in the six months of fiscal 2011, from our commodity risk management activities related to grain and energy purchases, and excludes the impact from related physical purchase transactions which impact current and future period operating results.
•
Increase in raw material costs of $41 million in our Prepared Foods segment.
•
The $706 million impact of lower sales volume was driven by decreases in sales volume in our Chicken, Beef and Prepared Foods segments, partially offset by an increase in sales volume in our Pork segment.

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Selling, General and Administrative 
in millions
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Selling, general and administrative expense
$
233

 
$
230

 
$
448

 
$
476

As a percentage of sales
2.8
%
 
2.9
%
 
2.7
%
 
3.0
%
Six months – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Decrease of $22 million related to incentive-based compensation.

Interest Expense 
in millions
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Cash interest expense
$
41

 
$
48

 
$
81

 
$
99

Losses on notes repurchased
—

 
3

 
—

 
6

Non-cash interest expense
11

 
12

 
20

 
24

Total Interest Expense
$
52

 
$
63

 
$
101

 
$
129

Second quarter – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Cash interest expense includes interest expense related to the coupon rates for senior notes and commitment/letter of credit fees incurred on our revolving credit facilities. The decrease is due primarily to lower average weekly indebtedness of approximately 11%.
•
Non-cash interest expense primarily includes interest related to the amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts/premiums on note issuances. This includes debt issuance costs incurred on our revolving credit facility, the 10.5% Senior Notes due 2014 (2014 Notes), as well as the accretion of the debt discount on the 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (2013 Notes) and 2014 Notes.
Six months – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Cash interest expense includes interest expense related to the coupon rates for senior notes and commitment/letter of credit fees incurred on our revolving credit facilities. The decrease is due primarily to lower average weekly indebtedness of approximately 12%.
•
Non-cash interest expense primarily includes interest related to the amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts/premiums on note issuances. This includes debt issuance costs incurred on our revolving credit facility, the 2014 Notes, as well as the accretion of the debt discount on the 2013 Notes and 2014 Notes.

Other (Income) Expense, net 
in millions
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
$
(2
)
 
$
2

 
$
(14
)
 
$
(8
)
Six months of fiscal 2012
•
Includes $8 million of equity earnings in joint ventures and $6 million in net foreign currency exchange gains.
Six months of fiscal 2011
•
Includes $11 million gain related to a sale of interests in an equity method investment.

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Table of Contents

Effective Tax Rate 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
35.3
%
 
34.9
%
 
35.5
%
 
34.3
%
Second quarter and six months of fiscal 2012– The effective tax rate was impacted by:
•
state income taxes;
•
the domestic production deduction;
•
losses in foreign jurisdictions and related valuation allowances; and
•
the reduction of valuation allowances related to state net operating loss and credit carryforwards.
Second quarter and six months of fiscal 2011 – The effective tax rate was impacted by:
•
state income taxes;
•
losses in foreign jurisdictions and related valuation allowances;
•
the domestic production deduction;
•
general business credits;
•
adjustments to uncertain tax positions due to tax audit resolutions; and
•
the reduction of certain valuation allowances.

Segment Results
We operate in four segments: Chicken, Beef, Pork and Prepared Foods. 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
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Chicken
$
2,911

 
$
2,739

 
$
5,673

 
$
5,358

Beef
3,369

 
3,333

 
6,836

 
6,518

Pork
1,372

 
1,384

 
2,847

 
2,622

Prepared Foods
807

 
778

 
1,668

 
1,584

Other
46

 
25

 
100

 
33

Intersegment Sales
(237
)
 
(259
)
 
(527
)
 
(500
)
Total
$
8,268

 
$
8,000

 
$
16,597

 
$
15,615

in millions
Operating Income (Loss)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Chicken
$
145

 
$
37

 
$
177

 
$
218

Beef
(1
)
 
94

 
30

 
210

Pork
115

 
146

 
280

 
323

Prepared Foods
44

 
31

 
95

 
59

Other
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
(2
)
 
(9
)
Total
$
302

 
$
303

 
$
580

 
$
801



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Table of Contents

Chicken Segment Results
in millions
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
Change
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
Change
Sales
$
2,911

 
$
2,739

 
$
172

 
$
5,673

 
$
5,358

 
$
315

Sales Volume Change
 
 
 
 
(1.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
(3.4
)%
Average Sales Price Change
 
 
 
 
8.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
9.6
 %
Operating Income
$
145

 
$
37

 
$
108

 
$
177

 
$
218

 
$
(41
)
Operating Margin
5.0
%
 
1.4
%
 
 
 
3.1
%
 
4.1
%
 
 
Second quarter and six months – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Sales and Operating Income –
•
Sales Volume – The decrease in sales volumes in the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2012 was primarily attributable to a decrease in domestic production pounds as a result of balancing our supply with forecasted customer demand, partially offset by increases in international sales volumes and open-market meat purchases.
•
Average Sales Price – The increase in average sales price is primarily due to mix changes and price increases associated with reduced industry supply and increased input costs.
•
Operating Income – Operating income was positively impacted by increases in average sale price, improved mix and operational improvements. These increases were partially offset by increased grain and feed ingredients costs of $65 million and $285 million for the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2012, respectively. Increases in other growout operating costs of $23 million and $53 million also negatively impacted operating income for the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2012, respectively.
•
Derivative Activities – Operating results included the following amounts for commodity risk management activities related to grain and energy purchases. These amounts exclude the impact from related physical purchase transactions, which impact current and future period operating results.
Income/(Loss) - in millions
 
Qtr

 
YTD

2012
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(6
)
2011
 
23

 
74

Decline in operating results
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(80
)
Beef Segment Results
in millions
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
Change
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
Change
Sales
$
3,369

 
$
3,333

 
$
36

 
$
6,836

 
$
6,518

 
$
318

Sales Volume Change
 
 
 
 
(10.7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
(9.6
)%
Average Sales Price Change
 
 
 
 
13.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
16.0
 %
Operating Income (Loss)
$
(1
)
 
$
94

 
$
(95
)
 
$
30

 
$
210

 
$
(180
)
Operating Margin
—
 %
 
2.8
%
 
 
 
0.4
%
 
3.2
%
 
 
Second quarter and six months – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Sales and Operating Income –
•
Average sales price increased due to price increases associated with increased livestock costs. Sales volumes decreased due to a reduction in live cattle processed and outside tallow purchases. Operating income decreased in the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2012 from the result of volatile market conditions and reduced demand for beef products, which made it difficult to pass along increased input costs, as well as lower sales volumes and increased employee-related operating costs.
•
Derivative Activities – Operating results included the following amounts for commodity risk management activities related to forward futures contracts for live cattle. These amounts exclude the impact from related physical sale and purchase transactions, which impact current and future period operating results.
Income/(Loss) - in millions
 
Qtr

 
YTD

2012
 
$
2

 
$
8

2011
 
(30
)
 
(39
)
Improvement in operating results
 
$
32

 
$
47



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Table of Contents

Pork Segment Results
in millions
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
Change
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
Change
Sales
$
1,372

 
$
1,384

 
$
(12
)
 
$
2,847

 
$
2,622

 
$
225

Sales Volume Change
 
 
 
 
(0.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
1.2
%
Average Sales Price Change
 
 
 
 
(0.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
7.3
%
Operating Income
$
115

 
$
146

 
$
(31
)
 
$
280

 
$
323

 
$
(43
)
Operating Margin
8.4
%
 
10.5
%
 
 
 
9.8
%
 
12.3
%
 
 
Second quarter and six months – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Sales and Operating Income –
•
Average sales price decreased slightly for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Average sales price increased for the six months of fiscal 2012 due to price increases associated with increased livestock costs. We maintained strong operating income by maximizing our revenues relative to the live hog markets, partially attributable to strong export sales and operational and mix performance.
•
Derivative Activities – Operating results included the following amounts for commodity risk management activities related to forward futures contracts for live hogs. These amounts exclude the impact from related physical sale and purchase transactions, which impact current and future period operating results.
Income/(Loss) - in millions
 
Qtr

 
YTD

2012
 
$
22

 
$
33

2011
 
(22
)
 
(9
)
Improvement in operating results
 
$
44

 
$
42

Prepared Foods Segment Results
in millions
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
Change
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
 
Change
Sales
$
807

 
$
778

 
$
29

 
$
1,668

 
$
1,584

 
$
84

Sales Volume Change
 
 
 
 
(1.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
(1.3
)%
Average Sales Price Change
 
 
 
 
4.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
6.7
 %
Operating Income
$
44

 
$
31

 
$
13

 
$
95

 
$
59

 
$
36

Operating Margin
5.5
%
 
4.0
%
 
 
 
5.7
%
 
3.7
%
 
 
Second quarter and six months – Fiscal 2012 vs Fiscal 2011
•
Sales and Operating Income – We increased operating income, despite lower sales volumes and higher raw material costs of $5 million and $41 million for the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2012, respectively, due to mix changes and increased average sales prices. Additionally, input costs were less volatile in the second quarter and six months of fiscal 2012 as compared to same periods in fiscal 2011. Because many of our sales contracts are formula based or shorter-term in nature, we are typically able to offset rising input costs through increased pricing. However, there is a lag time for price increases to take effect, which is what we experienced during fiscal 2011.

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Table of Contents

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our cash needs for working capital, capital expenditures, growth opportunities, the repurchases of senior notes 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 current credit arrangements; and overall market conditions.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
in millions
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Net income
$
322

 
$
450

Non-cash items in net income:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
245

 
256

Deferred income taxes
53

 
60

Other, net
41

 
40

Changes in working capital
(207
)
 
(603
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
454

 
$
203

Cash flows associated with changes in working capital for the six months ended:
•
March 31, 2012 – Decreased primarily due to a higher inventory balance and decreases in accounts payable and accrued salaries, wages and benefits, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable balance.
•
April 2, 2011 – Decreased primarily due to higher inventory and accounts receivable balances and a decrease in accrued salaries, wages and benefits.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
in millions
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Additions to property, plant and equipment
$
(344
)
 
$
(319
)
(Purchases of)/Proceeds from marketable securities, net
(12
)
 
(80
)
Proceeds from notes receivable
—

 
51

Other, net
17

 
25

Net cash used for investing activities
$
(339
)
 
$
(323
)
 
•
Additions to property, plant and equipment include acquiring new equipment, upgrading our facilities to maintain competitive standing and positioning us for future opportunities.
•
Capital spending for fiscal 2012 is expected to be approximately $800-$850 million, and includes spending on our operations for production and labor efficiencies, yield improvements and sales channel flexibility, as well as expansion of our foreign operations.
•
Purchase of marketable securities in the six months of fiscal 2011 includes $79 million related to the funding of deferred compensation plans.
•
Proceeds from notes receivable in the six months of fiscal 2011 totaling $51 million related to the collection of notes receivable in conjunction with a sale of a business operation in fiscal 2009.

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Table of Contents

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
in millions
Six Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Payments on debt
$
(41
)
 
$
(65
)
Net proceeds from borrowings
56

 
—

Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock
(128
)
 
(21
)
Dividends
(29
)
 
(30
)
Other, net
29

 
45

Net cash used for financing activities
$
(113
)
 
$
(71
)
 
•
During the six months of fiscal 2012, we received proceeds of $50 million and paid $39 million related to borrowings at our foreign operations. Total debt related to our foreign operations was $110 million at March 31, 2012 ($66 million current, $44 million long-term).
•
During the six months of fiscal 2011, we bought back $58 million of 7.35% Notes due April 2016 (2016 Notes).
•
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock include:
•
$105 million for shares repurchased pursuant to our previously announced share repurchase program during the six months ended March 31, 2012; and
•
$23 million and $21 million for shares repurchased to fund certain obligations under our equity compensation plans during the six months ended March 31, 2012, and April 2, 2011, respectively.
Liquidity
in millions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Commitments
Expiration Date
 
Facility
Amount
 
Outstanding
Letters of
Credit
(no draw downs)
 
Amount
Borrowed
 
Amount
Available
Cash and cash equivalents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
723

Revolving credit facility
February 2016
 
$
1,000

 
$
45

 
$
—

 
$
955

Total liquidity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,678

 
•
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 and derivative activities.
•
Our 2013 Notes may be converted early during any fiscal quarter in the event our Class A stock trades at or above $21.96 for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter. In this event, the note holders may require us to pay outstanding principal in cash, which totaled $458 million at March 31, 2012. Any conversion premium would be paid in shares of Class A stock. The conditions for early conversion were not met in our second quarter of fiscal 2012, and thus, the notes may not be converted in our third quarter of fiscal 2012. Should the conditions for early conversion be satisfied in future quarters, and the holders exercised their early conversion option, we would use current cash on hand and cash flow from operations for principal payments.
•
We do not have any significant scheduled maturities of debt coming due until October 2013 when the 2013 Notes are scheduled to mature.
•
Our current ratio was 2.19 to 1 and 2.01 to 1 at March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, respectively.

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Table of Contents

Capital Resources
Revolving Credit Facility
Cash flows from operating activities and current cash on hand are our primary source 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 $1.0 billion, to provide additional liquidity for working capital needs, letters of credit and a source of financing for growth opportunities. As of March 31, 2012, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $45 million issued under this facility, none of which were drawn upon, which left $955 million available for borrowing. Our revolving credit facility is funded by a syndicate of 38 banks, with commitments ranging from $3 million to $90 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 debt to our total capitalization as support for our long-term financing decisions. At March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, the ratio of our debt-to-total capitalization was 27.2% and 27.7%, respectively. For the purpose of this calculation, debt is defined as the sum of current and long-term debt. Total capitalization is defined as debt plus Total Shareholders’ Equity.
Credit Ratings
2016 Notes
On February 24, 2011, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (S&P), upgraded the credit rating of these notes from “BB+” to “BBB-.” On March 29, 2011, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) upgraded the credit rating of these notes from “Ba2” to “Ba1”. These upgrades decreased the interest rate on the 2016 Notes from 7.35% to 6.85%, effective beginning with the six-month interest payment due April 1, 2011.
A further one-notch upgrade by Moody’s would decrease the interest rates on the 2016 Notes by 0.25%, while a one-notch downgrade by either ratings agency 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 corporate credit rating for Tyson Foods, Inc. is “Ba1.” If Moody’s were to upgrade our credit rating to “Baa2” or higher while our S&P credit rating remained at “BBB-”, or S&P were to upgrade our credit rating to “BBB” or higher while Moody’s upgraded our credit rating to “Baa3” or higher, our letter of credit fees would decrease by 0.25% and fees paid on the unused portion of the facility would decrease by 0.075%.
If S&P were to downgrade our corporate credit rating to “BB+” or Moody’s were to downgrade our corporate credit rating to “Ba2”, our letter of credit fees would increase by 0.25% and fees paid on the unused portion of the facility would increase by 0.025%.
Debt Covenants
Our revolving credit facility contains 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; pay dividends or make other payments in respect of our capital stock; amend material documents; change the nature of our business; make certain payments of debt; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and enter into sale/leaseback or hedging transactions, in each case, subject to certain qualifications and exceptions. In addition, we are required to maintain minimum interest expense coverage and maximum leverage ratios.
Our 2014 Notes also contain affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, may limit or restrict our ability to: incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; make certain investments and restricted payments; create liens; create restrictions on distributions from subsidiaries; engage in specified sales of assets and subsidiary stock; enter into transactions with affiliates; enter new lines of business; engage in consolidation, mergers and acquisitions; and engage in certain sale/leaseback transactions.
We were in compliance with all debt covenants at March 31, 2012.
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.

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Table of Contents

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
We consider accounting policies related to: contingent liabilities; marketing and advertising costs; accrued self insurance; impairment of long-lived assets; impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets; and income taxes to be critical policies. 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 October 1, 2011.
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 2012, 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) risks associated with leverage, including cost increases due to rising interest rates or changes in debt ratings or outlook; (xiv) 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; (xv) our ability to make effective acquisitions or joint ventures and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into existing operations; (xvi) effectiveness of advertising and marketing programs; and (xvii) those factors listed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended October 1, 2011.

40
Table of Contents

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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.
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 March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, 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

 
March 31, 2012
 
October 1, 2011
Livestock:
 
 
 
Cattle
$
17

 
$
34

Hogs
31

 
57

Grain
10

 
11

Interest Rate Risk: At March 31, 2012, we had variable rate debt of $228 million with a weighted average interest rate of 4.4%. A hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates effective at March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, would have a minimal effect on interest expense.
Additionally, changes in interest rates impact the fair value of our fixed-rate debt. At March 31, 2012, we had fixed-rate debt of $2.0 billion with a weighted average interest rate of 9.2%. 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 $10 million at March 31, 2012, and $5 million at October 1, 2011. The fair values of our debt were estimated based on quoted market prices and/or published interest rates.
Foreign Currency Risk: We have foreign exchange gain/loss exposure from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates primarily as a result of certain receivable and payable balances. The primary currency exchanges we have exposure to are the Brazilian real, the British pound sterling, the Canadian dollar, the Chinese renminbi, the European euro 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 March 31, 2012, and October 1, 2011, related to the foreign exchange forward and option contracts would have a $12 million and $18 million impact, respectively, on pretax income. In the future, we may enter into more foreign exchange forward and option contracts as a result of growth in our international operations.
Concentration of Credit Risk: Refer to our market risk disclosures set forth in the 2011 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 2011 Annual Report.

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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 (the 1934 Act)). Based on that evaluation, management, including the CEO and CFO, has concluded that, as of March 31, 2012, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
In the second quarter ended March 31, 2012, there have been 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 13: 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 October 23, 2001, a putative class action lawsuit styled R. Lynn Thompson, et al. vs. Tyson Foods, Inc. was filed in the District Court for Mayes County, Oklahoma by three property owners on behalf of all owners of lakefront property on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. Simmons Foods, Inc. and Peterson Farms, Inc. also are defendants. The plaintiffs allege the defendants’ operations diminished the water quality in the lake thereby interfering with the plaintiffs’ use and enjoyment of their properties. The plaintiffs sought injunctive relief and an unspecified amount of compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. While the District Court certified a class, on October 4, 2005, the Court of Civil Appeals of the State of Oklahoma reversed, holding the plaintiffs’ claims were not suitable for disposition as a class action. This decision was upheld by the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the case was remanded to the District Court with instructions that the matter proceed only on behalf of the three named plaintiffs. Plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, restitution and compensatory and punitive damages in an unspecified amount in excess of $10,000. We and the other defendants have denied liability and asserted various defenses. The defendants have requested a trial date, but the court has not yet scheduled the matter for trial.
Since 2003, nine lawsuits have been brought against us and several other poultry companies by approximately 150 plaintiffs in Washington County, Arkansas Circuit Court (Green v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., Bible v. Tyson Foods, Inc., Beal v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., McWhorter v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., McConnell v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., Carroll v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., Belew v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., Gonzalez v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al., and Rasco v. Tyson Foods, Inc., et al.) alleging that the land application of poultry litter caused arsenic and pathogenic mold and fungi contamination of the air, soil and water in and around Prairie Grove, Arkansas and seeking recovery for several types of personal injuries, including several forms of cancer. On August 2, 2006, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of Tyson and the other poultry company defendants in the first case to go to trial, which the plaintiffs appealed, and the trial court stayed the remaining eight lawsuits pending the appeal. On May 8, 2008, the Arkansas Supreme Court reversed the summary judgment and remanded for a new trial. The remanded trial was held and the jury returned a verdict in our favor. The plaintiffs appealed this verdict to the Arkansas Supreme Court, which affirmed the verdict and denied the plaintiffs’ petition for rehearing. The trial court has scheduled the second trial for October 22, 2012.
Other Matters: We currently have approximately 115,000 employees and, at any time, 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 October 1, 2011. 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. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known or we currently deem to be immaterial also may 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)

Jan. 1, 2012 to Jan. 28, 2012
182,285

 
$
20.16

—

 
11,041,738

Jan. 29, 2012 to Mar. 3, 2012
3,733,479

 
19.01

3,625,400

 
7,416,338

Mar. 4, 2012 to Mar. 31, 2012
172,621

 
19.43

56,484

 
7,359,854

Total
4,088,385

(2)
$
19.08

3,681,884

(3)
7,359,854

 
(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. The program has no fixed or scheduled termination date. On May 3, 2012, our Board of Directors approved an increase of 35 million shares authorized for repurchase under this program.
(2)
We purchased 406,501 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 344,990 shares purchased in open market transactions and 61,511 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
On May 3, 2012, our Board of Directors approved an increase of 35 million shares of Class A common stock authorized for repurchase under a program originally activated on February 7, 2003. After this increase, total authorization under this program totaled 60 million shares. As of May 7, 2012, 42.4 million shares remain available for repurchase.
The program permits the Company to purchase shares through a variety of methods, including in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, in accordance with applicable securities laws. It does not obligate the Company to make any repurchases at any specific time or situation. The timing and extent to which the Company repurchases its shares will depend upon, among other things, market conditions, liquidity targets, the Company's debt obligations, and regulatory requirements.
The program may be suspended or discontinued any time.

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Item 6.
Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed with this report. 
Exhibit
No.
  
Exhibit Description
 
 
 
 
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 March 31, 2012, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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: May 7, 2012
 
 
/s/ Dennis Leatherby        
 
 
 
Dennis Leatherby
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
Date: May 7, 2012
 
 
/s/ Craig J. Hart        
 
 
 
Craig J. Hart
 
 
 
Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer



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