Skip to main content

AI assistant

Sign in to chat with this filing

The assistant answers questions, extracts KPIs, and summarises risk factors directly from the filing text.

PROCTER & GAMBLE Co Interim / Quarterly Report 2019

Jan 23, 2019

29757_10-q_2019-01-23_1ecf4223-469a-4b26-8754-27bba32eeb58.zip

Interim / Quarterly Report

Open in viewer

Opens in your device viewer

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2018

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio 1-434 31-0411980
(State of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
One Procter & Gamble Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(513) 983-1100

(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 þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨
Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No þ

There were 2,501,579,709 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

Amounts in millions except per share amounts Three Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017 Six Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017
NET SALES $ 17,438 $ 17,395 $ 34,128 $ 34,048
Cost of products sold 8,919 8,709 17,403 16,978
Selling, general and administrative expense 4,623 4,767 9,275 9,503
OPERATING INCOME 3,896 3,919 7,450 7,567
Interest expense 138 122 267 237
Interest income 63 66 116 115
Other non-operating income, net 95 170 557 339
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 3,916 4,033 7,856 7,784
Income taxes 700 1,472 1,429 2,353
NET EARNINGS 3,216 2,561 6,427 5,431
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 22 66 34 83
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO PROCTER & GAMBLE $ 3,194 $ 2,495 $ 6,393 $ 5,348
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE (1)
Basic $ 1.25 $ 0.96 $ 2.51 $ 2.05
Diluted $ 1.22 $ 0.93 $ 2.44 $ 2.00
DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING 2,623.0 2,669.6 2,617.6 2,680.1

(1) Basic net earnings per share and Diluted net earnings per share are calculated on Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

Amounts in millions Three Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017 Six Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017
NET EARNINGS $ 3,216 $ 2,561 $ 6,427 $ 5,431
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS), NET OF TAX
Financial statement foreign currency translation ( 370 ) 188 ( 586 ) 1,028
Unrealized gains/(losses) on hedges 192 ( 167 ) 199 ( 630 )
Unrealized gains/(losses) on investment securities 58 ( 61 ) 53 ( 65 )
Unrealized gains/(losses) on defined benefit retirement plans 98 161 250 128
TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS), NET OF TAX ( 22 ) 121 ( 84 ) 461
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 3,194 2,682 6,343 5,892
Less: Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 23 66 31 83
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PROCTER & GAMBLE $ 3,171 $ 2,616 $ 6,312 $ 5,809

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Amounts in millions December 31, 2018 June 30, 2018
Assets
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,696 $ 2,569
Available-for-sale investment securities 8,421 9,281
Accounts receivable 5,055 4,686
INVENTORIES
Materials and supplies 1,524 1,335
Work in process 593 588
Finished goods 3,164 2,815
Total inventories 5,281 4,738
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,978 2,046
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 24,431 23,320
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 20,822 20,600
GOODWILL 46,932 45,175
TRADEMARKS AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET 25,947 23,902
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS 5,555 5,313
TOTAL ASSETS $ 123,687 $ 118,310
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $ 10,266 $ 10,344
Accrued and other liabilities 8,868 7,470
Debt due within one year 12,113 10,423
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 31,247 28,237
LONG-TERM DEBT 21,514 20,863
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 6,872 6,163
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 9,611 10,164
TOTAL LIABILITIES 69,244 65,427
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock 946 967
Common stock – shares issued – December 2018 4,009.2
June 2018 4,009.2 4,009 4,009
Additional paid-in capital 63,679 63,846
Reserve for ESOP debt retirement ( 1,178 ) ( 1,204 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) ( 15,156 ) ( 14,749 )
Treasury stock ( 99,480 ) ( 99,217 )
Retained earnings 101,170 98,641
Noncontrolling interest 453 590
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 54,443 52,883
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 123,687 $ 118,310

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

Dollars in millions; shares in thousands Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 — Common Stock Preferred Stock Add-itional Paid-In Capital Reserve for ESOP Debt Retirement Accumu-lated Other Comp-rehensive Income/(Loss) Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Non-controlling Interest Total Share-holders' Equity
Shares Amount
BALANCE SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 2,491,408 $ 4,009 $ 951 $ 63,711 ($ 1,177 ) ($ 15,133 ) ($ 99,956 ) $ 99,831 $ 268 $ 52,504
Net earnings 3,194 22 3,216
Other comprehensive income/(loss) ( 23 ) 1 ( 22 )
Dividends and dividend equivalents ($0.7172 per share):
Common ( 1,790 ) ( 1,790 )
Preferred, net of tax benefits ( 65 ) ( 65 )
Treasury stock purchases ( 8,647 ) ( 751 ) ( 751 )
Employee stock plans 18,021 ( 73 ) 1,222 1,149
Preferred stock conversions 798 ( 5 ) 5
ESOP debt impacts ( 1 ) ( 1 )
Noncontrolling interest, net 41 162 203
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2018 2,501,580 $ 4,009 $ 946 $ 63,679 ($ 1,178 ) ($ 15,156 ) ($ 99,480 ) $ 101,170 $ 453 $ 54,443
Dollars in millions; shares in thousands Six Months Ended December 31, 2018 — Common Stock Preferred Stock Add-itional Paid-In Capital Reserve for ESOP Debt Retirement Accumu-lated Other Comp-rehensive Income/(Loss) Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Non-controlling Interest Total Share-holders' Equity
Shares Amount
BALANCE JUNE 30, 2018 2,498,093 $ 4,009 $ 967 $ 63,846 ($ 1,204 ) ($ 14,749 ) ($ 99,217 ) $ 98,641 $ 590 $ 52,883
Impact of adoption of new accounting standards ( 326 ) ( 200 ) ( 27 ) ( 553 )
Net earnings 6,393 34 6,427
Other comprehensive income/(loss) ( 81 ) ( 3 ) ( 84 )
Dividends and dividend equivalents ($1.4344 per share):
Common ( 3,581 ) ( 3,581 )
Preferred, net of tax benefits ( 131 ) ( 131 )
Treasury stock purchases ( 24,337 ) ( 2,003 ) ( 2,003 )
Employee stock plans 25,389 ( 53 ) 1,722 1,669
Preferred stock conversions 2,435 ( 21 ) 3 18
ESOP debt impacts 26 48 74
Noncontrolling interest, net ( 117 ) ( 141 ) ( 258 )
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2018 2,501,580 $ 4,009 $ 946 $ 63,679 ($ 1,178 ) ($ 15,156 ) ($ 99,480 ) $ 101,170 $ 453 $ 54,443

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (cont.)

Dollars in millions; shares in thousands Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 — Common Stock Preferred Stock Add-itional Paid-In Capital Reserve for ESOP Debt Retirement Accumu-lated Other Comp-rehensive Income/(Loss) Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Non-controlling Interest Total Share-holders' Equity
Shares Amount
BALANCE SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 2,536,958 $ 4,009 $ 991 $ 63,705 ($ 1,229 ) ($ 14,292 ) ($ 95,563 ) $ 97,197 $ 597 $ 55,415
Net earnings 2,495 66 2,561
Other comprehensive income/(loss) 121 121
Dividends and dividend equivalents ($0.6896 per share):
Common ( 1,751 ) ( 1,751 )
Preferred, net of tax benefits ( 62 ) ( 62 )
Treasury stock purchases ( 19,409 ) ( 1,751 ) ( 1,751 )
Employee stock plans 2,791 51 189 240
Preferred stock conversions 664 ( 5 ) 1 4
ESOP debt impacts 2 2
Noncontrolling interest, net ( 54 ) ( 54 )
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2017 2,521,004 $ 4,009 $ 986 $ 63,757 ($ 1,229 ) ($ 14,171 ) ($ 97,121 ) $ 97,881 $ 609 $ 54,721
Dollars in millions; shares in thousands Six Months Ended December 31, 2017 — Common Stock Preferred Stock Add-itional Paid-In Capital Reserve for ESOP Debt Retirement Accumu-lated Other Comp-rehensive Income/(Loss) Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Non-controlling Interest Total Share-holders' Equity
Shares Amount
BALANCE JUNE 30, 2017 2,553,297 $ 4,009 $ 1,006 $ 63,641 ($ 1,249 ) ($ 14,632 ) ($ 93,715 ) $ 96,124 $ 594 $ 55,778
Net earnings 5,348 83 5,431
Other comprehensive income/(loss) 461 461
Dividends and dividend equivalents ($1.3792 per share):
Common ( 3,512 ) ( 3,512 )
Preferred, net of tax benefits ( 124 ) ( 124 )
Treasury stock purchases ( 46,736 ) ( 4,253 ) ( 4,253 )
Employee stock plans 12,239 113 830 943
Preferred stock conversions 2,204 ( 20 ) 3 17
ESOP debt impacts 20 45 65
Noncontrolling interest, net ( 68 ) ( 68 )
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 2017 2,521,004 $ 4,009 $ 986 $ 63,757 ($ 1,229 ) ($ 14,171 ) ($ 97,121 ) $ 97,881 $ 609 $ 54,721

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Amounts in millions Six Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 2,569 $ 5,569
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings 6,427 5,431
Depreciation and amortization 1,293 1,368
Share-based compensation expense 181 157
Deferred income taxes 37 ( 2,008 )
Gain on sale of assets ( 370 ) ( 158 )
Changes in:
Accounts receivable ( 398 ) ( 547 )
Inventories ( 531 ) ( 457 )
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities 1,141 857
Other operating assets and liabilities ( 370 ) 2,524
Other 164 148
TOTAL OPERATING ACTIVITIES 7,574 7,315
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures ( 1,781 ) ( 1,900 )
Proceeds from asset sales 18 201
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired ( 3,848 ) ( 101 )
Purchases of short-term investments ( 158 ) ( 3,598 )
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments 1,117 1,643
Change in other investments ( 58 ) 50
TOTAL INVESTING ACTIVITIES ( 4,710 ) ( 3,705 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends to shareholders ( 3,703 ) ( 3,636 )
Change in short-term debt 1,206 1,524
Additions to long-term debt 2,368 5,072
Reductions of long-term debt ( 978 ) ( 1,281 )
Treasury stock purchases ( 2,003 ) ( 4,253 )
Impact of stock options and other 1,486 698
TOTAL FINANCING ACTIVITIES ( 1,624 ) ( 1,876 )
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH ( 113 ) 129
CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH 1,127 1,863
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD $ 3,696 $ 7,432

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 and the Form 8-K filed October 22, 2018 to update the Form 10-K to revise disclosures to reflect the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASU 2017-07 and 2016-18. For additional details on the impacts of adoption, see Note 2. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of The Procter & Gamble Company and subsidiaries (the "Company," "Procter & Gamble," "P&G," "we" or "our") contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods reported. However, the results of operations included in such financial statements may not necessarily be indicative of annual results.

2. New Accounting Pronouncements and Policies and U.S. Tax Reform

On July 1, 2018 , we adopted ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." This guidance outlines a single, comprehensive model of accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. We adopted the standard using the modified retrospective transition method, under which prior periods were not revised to reflect the impacts of the new standard. Our revenue is primarily generated from the sale of finished product to customers. Those sales predominantly contain a single delivery element and revenue is recognized at a single point in time when ownership, risks and rewards transfer. Accordingly, the timing of revenue recognition is not materially impacted by the new standard. Trade promotions, consisting primarily of customer pricing allowances, in-store merchandising funds, advertising and other promotional activities, and consumer coupons, are offered through various programs to customers and consumers. The adoption of the new standard impacts the accrual timing for certain portions of our customer and consumer promotional spending, which resulted in a cumulative adjustment to Retained earnings of $ 534 , net of tax, on the date of adoption. The provisions of the new standard also impact the classification of certain payments to customers, moving an immaterial amount of such payments from expense to a deduction from net sales. Had this standard been effective and adopted during fiscal 2018, the impact would have been to reclassify $ 157 from Selling, General and Administrative expense (SG&A) to a reduction of Net sales for the six months ended December 31, 2017 and $ 309 for the year ended June 30, 2018 , with no impact to operating profit. This guidance included practical expedients, none of which are material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. This new guidance does not have any other material impacts on our Consolidated Financial Statements, including financial disclosures.

On July 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2017-07, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (Topic 715)." This guidance requires an entity to disaggregate the current service cost component from the other components of net benefit costs in the face of the income statement. It requires the service cost component to be presented with other current compensation costs for the related employees in the operating section of the income statement, with other components of net benefit cost presented outside of income from operations. We adopted the standard retrospectively, using the practical expedient which allows entities to use information previously disclosed in their pension and other postretirement benefit plans footnote as the basis to apply the retrospective presentation requirements. As such, prior periods’ results have been revised to report the other components of net defined benefit costs, previously reported in Cost of products sold and SG&A, in Other non-operating income, net.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash (Topic 230)." This guidance requires the Statement of Cash Flows to present changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. Prior to the adoption of this ASU, the relevant accounting guidance did not require the Statement of Cash Flows to include changes in restricted cash. We adopted the standard retrospectively on July 1, 2018. We currently have no significant restricted cash balances. Historically, we had restricted cash balances and changes related to divestiture activity. Such balances were presented as Current assets held for sale on the balance sheets, with changes presented as Investing activities on the Statements of Cash Flow. In accordance with ASU 2016-08, such balances are now included in the beginning and ending balances of Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for all periods presented.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)." This guidance permits companies to make an election to reclassify stranded tax effects from the recently enacted U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to Retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance in the quarter ended September 30, 2018. The reclassification from the adoption of this standard resulted in an increase of $ 326 to Retained earnings and a decrease of $ 326 to AOCI.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity transfers of Assets other than Inventory." The standard eliminates the prohibition in ASC 740 against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. We have adopted this standard effective July 1, 2018 on a modified

Amounts in millions of dollars unless otherwise specified.

retrospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2016-16 did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements, including the cumulative effect adjustment required upon adoption.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." The standard requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requires expanded disclosures about leasing arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements”. The updated guidance provides an optional transition method, which allows for the application of the standard as of the adoption date with no restatement of prior period amounts. We plan to adopt the standard on July 1, 2019 under the optional transition method described above. We are currently in the process of implementing lease accounting software as well as assessing the impact that the new standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements, which will consist primarily of a balance sheet gross up of our operating leases to show equal and offsetting lease assets and lease liabilities.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment." The standard simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by requiring a goodwill impairment to be measured using a single step impairment model, whereby the impairment equals the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the specified reporting units in their entirety. This eliminates the second step of the current impairment model that requires companies to first estimate the fair value of all assets in a reporting unit and measure impairments based on those fair values and a residual measurement approach. It also specifies that any loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We will adopt the standard no later than July 1, 2020. The impact of the new standard will be dependent on the specific facts and circumstances of future individual impairments, if any.

No other new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal year had, or is expected to have, a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

U.S. Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "U.S. Tax Act"). The U.S. Tax Act significantly revises the future ongoing U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering the U.S. corporate income tax rates and implementing a hybrid territorial tax system. As the Company has a June 30 fiscal year-end, the lower corporate income tax rate was phased in, resulting in a U.S. statutory federal rate of approximately 28 % for our fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 , and 21 % for subsequent fiscal years. However, the U.S. Tax Act eliminates the domestic manufacturing deduction and moves to a hybrid territorial system, which also largely eliminates the ability to credit certain foreign taxes that existed prior to enactment of the U.S. Tax Act.

There are also certain transitional impacts of the U.S. Tax Act. As part of the transition to the new hybrid territorial tax system, the U.S. Tax Act imposed a one-time repatriation tax on deemed repatriation of historical earnings of foreign subsidiaries. In addition, the reduction of the U.S. corporate tax rate caused us to adjust our U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities to the lower federal base rate of 21 % . These transitional impacts resulted in a provisional net charge of $ 602 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 , and $ 628 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 (the quarter of enactment), comprised of an estimated repatriation tax charge of $ 3.8 billion (comprised of U.S. repatriation taxes and foreign withholding taxes) and an estimated net deferred tax benefit of $ 3.2 billion . We have finalized our assessment of the transitional impacts of the U.S. Tax Act, which did not have a significant impact on tax expense during the six months ended December 31, 2018 . Any legislative changes, including the final Section 965 transition tax regulations issued on January 15, 2019, whose impact is currently being assessed due to the complexity and interdependency of the legislative provisions, as well as any other new or proposed Treasury regulations, which have yet to be issued, may result in additional income tax impacts which could be material in the period any such changes are enacted.

3. Segment Information

Under U.S. GAAP, our Global Business Units (GBUs) are aggregated into five reportable segments: 1) Beauty, 2) Grooming, 3) Health Care, 4) Fabric & Home Care and 5) Baby, Feminine & Family Care. Our five reportable segments are comprised of:

• Beauty : Hair Care (Conditioner, Shampoo, Styling Aids, Treatments); Skin and Personal Care (Antiperspirant and Deodorant, Personal Cleansing, Skin Care);

• Grooming : Shave Care (Female Blades & Razors, Male Blades & Razors, Pre- and Post-Shave Products, Other Shave Care); Appliances

• Health Care : Oral Care (Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Other Oral Care); Personal Health Care (Gastrointestinal, Rapid Diagnostics, Respiratory, Vitamins/Minerals/Supplements, Other Personal Health Care);

• Fabric & Home Care : Fabric Care (Fabric Enhancers, Laundry Additives, Laundry Detergents); Home Care (Air Care, Dish Care, P&G Professional, Surface Care); and

• Baby, Feminine & Family Care : Baby Care (Baby Wipes, Diapers and Pants); Feminine Care (Adult Incontinence, Feminine Care); Family Care (Paper Towels, Tissues, Toilet Paper).

Amounts in millions of dollars unless otherwise specified.

Our business units are comprised of similar product categories. Nine business units individually accounted for 5% or more of consolidated net sales as follows:

% of Net sales by Business Unit (1) — Three Months Ended December 31 Six Months Ended December 31
2018 2017 2018 2017
Fabric Care 22 % 21 % 22 % 22 %
Baby Care 12 % 13 % 12 % 13 %
Home Care 10 % 10 % 10 % 10 %
Skin and Personal Care 10 % 9 % 10 % 9 %
Hair Care 9 % 10 % 10 % 10 %
Family Care 9 % 8 % 9 % 8 %
Oral Care 9 % 9 % 8 % 8 %
Shave Care 7 % 8 % 8 % 8 %
Feminine Care 6 % 6 % 6 % 6 %
All Other 6 % 6 % 5 % 6 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %

(1) % of Net sales by business unit excludes sales held in Corporate.

Following is a summary of reportable segment results:

Three Months Ended December 31 — Net Sales Earnings/(Loss) Before Income Taxes Net Earnings/(Loss) Six Months Ended December 31 — Net Sales Earnings/(Loss) Before Income Taxes Net Earnings/(Loss)
Beauty 2018 $ 3,357 $ 964 $ 772 $ 6,646 $ 1,911 $ 1,531
2017 3,233 853 655 6,371 1,689 1,287
Grooming 2018 1,617 448 378 3,179 865 718
2017 1,776 531 423 3,353 945 752
Health Care 2018 2,220 669 520 4,065 1,109 852
2017 2,212 668 455 4,114 1,123 760
Fabric & Home Care 2018 5,557 1,134 860 11,045 2,278 1,737
2017 5,434 1,101 714 10,817 2,280 1,483
Baby, Feminine & Family Care 2018 4,558 930 707 8,948 1,832 1,399
2017 4,613 933 597 9,158 1,897 1,227
Corporate 2018 129 ( 229 ) ( 21 ) 245 ( 139 ) 190
2017 127 ( 53 ) ( 283 ) 235 ( 150 ) ( 78 )
Total Company 2018 $ 17,438 $ 3,916 $ 3,216 $ 34,128 $ 7,856 $ 6,427
2017 17,395 4,033 2,561 34,048 7,784 5,431

4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is allocated by reportable segment as follows:

Goodwill at June 30, 2018 Beauty — $ 12,992 Grooming — $ 19,820 Health Care — $ 5,929 Fabric & Home Care — $ 1,865 Baby, Feminine & Family Care — $ 4,569 Total Company — $ 45,175
Acquisitions and divestitures 132 1,955 6 2,093
Translation and other ( 116 ) ( 135 ) ( 36 ) ( 13 ) ( 36 ) ( 336 )
Goodwill at December 31, 2018 $ 13,008 $ 19,685 $ 7,848 $ 1,858 $ 4,533 $ 46,932

Amounts in millions of dollars unless otherwise specified.

Goodwill from current year acquisitions primarily reflects the acquisition of the over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare business of Merck KGaA (Merck OTC) in the Health Care reportable segment (see Note 11), along with other minor acquisitions in the Beauty and Fabric & Home Care reportable segments. Goodwill increases due to acquisitions was partially offset by the divestiture of the Teva portion of the PGT business in the Health Care reportable segment and currency translation.

Identifiable intangible assets at December 31, 2018 were comprised of:

Intangible assets with determinable lives Gross Carrying Amount — $ 8,580 Accumulated Amortization — $ ( 5,251 )
Intangible assets with indefinite lives 22,618
Total identifiable intangible assets $ 31,198 $ ( 5,251 )

Intangible assets with determinable lives consist of brands, patents, technology and customer relationships. The intangible assets with indefinite lives consist of brands. The amortization expense of intangible assets for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $ 81 and $ 75 , respectively. For the six months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the amortization expense of intangible assets was $ 154 and $ 152 , respectively.

Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are tested annually for impairment. The test to evaluate goodwill for impairment is a two-step process. In the first step, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a second step to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill. The second step of the impairment analysis requires a valuation of a reporting unit's tangible and intangible assets and liabilities in a manner similar to the allocation of purchase price in a business combination. If the resulting implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is less than its carrying value, that difference represents an impairment.

The business unit valuations used to test goodwill and intangible assets for impairment are dependent on a number of significant estimates and assumptions, including macroeconomic conditions, overall category growth rates, competitive activities, cost containment, margin expansion and Company business plans. We believe these estimates and assumptions are reasonable. However, future changes in the judgments, assumptions and estimates that are used in our impairment testing for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including discount and tax rates or future cash flow projections, could result in significantly different estimates of the fair values. Our annual impairment testing for goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets occurs during the 3 months ended December 31.

Most of our goodwill reporting units are comprised of a combination of legacy and acquired businesses and as a result have fair value cushions that, at a minimum, exceed two times their underlying carrying values. Certain of our goodwill reporting units, in particular Shave Care and Appliances, are comprised entirely of acquired businesses and as a result, have fair value cushions that are not as high. Both of these wholly acquired reporting units have fair value cushions that currently equal or exceed the underlying carrying values. However, the overall Shave Care goodwill cushion has been reduced in recent years, with the fair value in the current year being reduced to an amount that approximates the reporting unit's carrying value. The related Gillette indefinite-lived intangible asset cushion has also been reduced to below 5 % . These reductions are due in large part to an increased competitive market environment in the U.S. and certain other markets, a deceleration of category growth caused by changing grooming habits and significant currency devaluations in a number of countries relative to the U.S. dollar, which collectively have resulted in reduced cash flow projections. The current year reduction in the fair value was primarily caused by further currency devaluations, along with competitive activities. As a result of these factors and the reduction in the fair values and related cushions, goodwill for the Shave Care reporting unit and the related indefinite-lived intangible asset are more susceptible to impairment risk.

The most significant assumptions utilized in the determination of the estimated fair values of Shave Care reporting unit and the Gillette indefinite-lived intangible asset are the net sales and earnings growth rates (including residual growth rates) and discount rate. The residual growth rate represents the expected rate at which the reporting unit and Gillette brand are expected to grow beyond the shorter-term business planning period. The residual growth rate utilized in our fair value estimates is consistent with the reporting unit and brand operating plans, and approximates expected long term category market growth rates. The residual growth rate is dependent on overall market growth rates, the competitive environment, inflation, relative currency exchange rates and business activities that impact market share. As a result, the residual growth rate could be adversely impacted by a sustained deceleration in category growth, grooming habit changes, devaluation of currencies against the U.S. dollar or an increased competitive environment. The discount rate, which is consistent with a weighted average cost of capital that is likely to be expected by a market participant, is based upon industry required rates of return, including consideration of both debt and equity components of the capital structure. Our discount rate may be impacted by adverse changes in the macroeconomic environment, volatility in the equity and debt markets or other country specific factors, such as further devaluation of currencies against the U.S. dollar. Spot rates as of the fair value measurement date are utilized in our fair value estimates for cash flows outside the U.S.

Amounts in millions of dollars unless otherwise specified.

While management can and has implemented strategies to address these events, changes in operating plans or adverse changes in the future could reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and could result in a decline in fair value that would trigger future impairment charges of the reporting unit's goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. As of December 31, 2018 , the carrying values of Shave Care goodwill and the Gillette indefinite-lived intangible asset were $ 19.4 billion and $ 15.7 billion , respectively.

The table below provides a sensitivity analysis for the Shave Care reporting unit and the Gillette indefinite lived intangible asset, utilizing reasonably possible changes in the assumptions for the shorter term and residual growth rates and the discount rate, to demonstrate the potential impacts to the estimated fair values. The table below provides, in isolation, the estimated fair value impacts related to a 25 basis point increase to discount rate or a 25 basis point decrease to our shorter-term and residual growth rates, both of which would result in impairment charges.

Approximate Percent Change in Estimated Fair Value — +25 bps Discount Rate -25 bps Growth Rate
Shave Care goodwill reporting unit ( 5 )% ( 6 )%
Gillette indefinite-lived intangible asset ( 5 )% ( 6 )%

5. Earnings Per Share

Basic net earnings per common share are calculated by dividing Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble less preferred dividends (net of related tax benefits) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per common share are calculated using the treasury stock method on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of stock options and other stock-based awards and the assumed conversion of preferred stock.

Net earnings per share were as follows:

CONSOLIDATED AMOUNTS Three Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017 Six Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017
Net earnings $ 3,216 $ 2,561 $ 6,427 $ 5,431
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 22 66 34 83
Net earnings attributable to P&G (Diluted) 3,194 2,495 6,393 5,348
Preferred dividends, net of tax ( 65 ) ( 62 ) ( 131 ) ( 124 )
Net earnings attributable to P&G available to common shareholders (Basic) $ 3,129 $ 2,433 $ 6,262 $ 5,224
SHARES IN MILLIONS
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 2,499.7 2,533.9 2,497.8 2,542.2
Add: Effect of dilutive securities
Conversion of preferred shares (1) 90.7 95.5 91.3 96.0
Impact of stock options and other unvested equity awards (2) 32.6 40.2 28.5 41.9
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 2,623.0 2,669.6 2,617.6 2,680.1
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE (3)
Basic $ 1.25 $ 0.96 $ 2.51 $ 2.05
Diluted $ 1.22 $ 0.93 $ 2.44 $ 2.00

(1) Despite being included currently in Diluted net earnings per common share, the actual conversion to common stock occurs when the preferred shares are sold. Shares may only be sold after being allocated to the ESOP participants pursuant to the repayment of the ESOP's obligations through 2035.

(2) Weighted average outstanding stock options of approximately 23 million and 24 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , and approximately 35 million and 22 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively, were not included in the Diluted net earnings per share calculation because the options were out of the money or to do so would have been antidilutive (i.e., the total proceeds upon exercise would have exceeded the market value of the underlying common shares).

(3) Net earnings per share are calculated on Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble.

Amounts in millions of dollars unless otherwise specified.

6. Share-Based Compensation and Postretirement Benefits

The following table provides a summary of our share-based compensation expense and postretirement benefit costs:

Three Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017 Six Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017
Share-based compensation expense $ 79 $ 73 $ 181 $ 157
Net periodic benefit cost for pension benefits (1) 36 52 64 103
Net periodic benefit cost/(credit) for other retiree benefits (1) ( 42 ) ( 38 ) ( 83 ) ( 76 )

(1) The components of the total net periodic benefit cost for both pension benefits and other retiree benefits for those interim periods, on an annualized basis, do not differ materially from the amounts disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018 , as revised by the Form 8-K filed October 22, 2018 to update the Form 10-K to revise disclosures to reflect the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASU 2017-07 and 2016-18.

7. Risk Management Activities and Fair Value Measurements

As a multinational company with diverse product offerings, we are exposed to market risks, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and commodity prices. There have been no significant changes in our risk management policies or activities during the six months ended December 31, 2018 .

The Company has not changed its valuation techniques used in measuring the fair value of any financial assets and liabilities during the period. The Company recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy, if any, at the end of each quarter. There were no transfers between levels during the periods presented. Also, there was no significant activity within the Level 3 assets and liabilities during the periods presented. There were no significant assets or liabilities that were remeasured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the six months ended December 31, 2018 .

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the period:

Fair Value Asset — December 31, 2018 June 30, 2018
Investments:
U.S. government securities $ 5,177 $ 5,544
Corporate bond securities 3,244 3,737
Other investments 163 141
Total $ 8,584 $ 9,422

Investment securities are presented in Available-for-sale investment securities and Other noncurrent assets. The amortized cost of U.S. government securities with maturities less than one year was $ 1,601 as of December 31, 2018 and $ 2,003 as of June 30, 2018 . The amortized cost of U.S. government securities with maturities between one and five years was $ 3,657 as of December 31, 2018 and $ 3,659 as of June 30, 2018 . The amortized cost of Corporate bond securities with maturities of less than a year was $ 1,525 as of December 31, 2018 and $ 1,291 as of June 30, 2018 . The amortized cost of Corporate bond securities with maturities between one and five years was $ 1,760 as of December 31, 2018 and $ 2,503 as of June 30, 2018 . The Company's investments measured at fair value are generally classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. There are no material investment balances classified as Level 1 or Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, or that used net asset value as a practical expedient. Fair values are generally estimated based upon quoted market prices for similar instruments.

The fair value of long-term debt was $ 24,602 and $ 23,402 as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 , respectively. This includes the current portion of debt instruments ( $ 2,301 and $ 1,769 as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 , respectively). Certain long-term debt (debt tied to derivatives designated as a fair value hedge) is recorded at fair value. All other long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost, but is measured at fair value for disclosure purposes. We consider our debt to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Fair values are generally estimated based on quoted market prices for identical or similar instruments.

Amounts in millions of dollars unless otherwise specified.

Disclosures about Financial Instruments

The notional amounts and fair values of financial instruments used in hedging transactions as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 are as follows:

Notional Amount — December 31, 2018 June 30, 2018 Fair Value Asset — December 31, 2018 June 30, 2018 Fair Value (Liability) — December 31, 2018 June 30, 2018
DERIVATIVES IN FAIR VALUE HEDGING RELATIONSHIPS
Interest rate contracts $ 4,550 $ 4,587 $ 118 $ 125 $ ( 28 ) $ ( 53 )
DERIVATIVES IN NET INVESTMENT HEDGING RELATIONSHIPS
Foreign currency interest rate contracts $ 1,855 $ 1,848 $ 21 $ 41 $ ( 59 ) $ ( 75 )
TOTAL DERIVATIVES DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS $ 6,405 $ 6,435 $ 139 $ 166 $ ( 87 ) $ ( 128 )
DERIVATIVES NOT DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
Foreign currency contracts $ 7,025 $ 7,358 $ 49 $ 30 $ ( 29 ) $ ( 56 )
TOTAL DERIVATIVES AT FAIR VALUE $ 13,430 $ 13,793 $ 188 $ 196 $ ( 116 ) $ ( 184 )

All derivative assets are presented in Prepaid expenses and other current assets or Other noncurrent assets. All derivative liabilities are presented in Accrued and other liabilities or Other noncurrent liabilities.

The fair value of the interest rate derivative asset/liability directly offsets the cumulative amount of the fair value hedging adjustment included in the carrying amount of the underlying debt obligation. The carrying amount of the underlying debt obligation, which includes the unamortized discount or premium and the fair value adjustment, was $ 4,623 and $ 4,639 as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 , respectively. In addition to the foreign currency derivative contracts designated as net investment hedges, certain of our foreign currency denominated debt instruments are designated as net investment hedges. The carrying value of those debt instruments designated as net investment hedges, which includes the adjustment for the foreign currency transaction gain or loss on those instruments, was $ 17,092 and $ 15,012 as of December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018 , respectively. All of the Company's derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Before tax gains/(losses) on our financial instruments in hedging relationships are categorized as follows:

Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives
Three Months Ended December 31 Six Months Ended December 31
2018 2017 2018 2017
DERIVATIVES IN NET INVESTMENT HEDGING RELATIONSHIPS (1) (2)
Foreign exchange contracts $ 23 $ ( 89 ) $ 19 $ ( 262 )

(1) For the derivatives in net investment hedging relationships, the amount of gain/(loss) excluded from effectiveness testing, which was recognized in earnings, was $ 13 and $ 42 for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The amount of gain/(loss) excluded from effectiveness testing was $ 27 and $ 73 for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(2) In addition to the foreign currency derivative contracts designated as net investment hedges, certain of our foreign currency denominated debt instruments are designated as net investment hedges. The amount of gain/(loss) recognized in AOCI for such instruments was $ 228 and $( 176 ) , for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The amount of gain/(loss) recognized in AOCI for such instruments was $ 241 and $( 745 ) , for the six months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings
Three Months Ended December 31 Six Months Ended December 31
2018 2017 2018 2017
DERIVATIVES IN FAIR VALUE HEDGING RELATIONSHIPS
Interest rate contracts $ 42 $ ( 38 ) $ 18 $ ( 41 )
DERIVATIVES NOT DESIGNATED AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
Foreign currency contracts $ ( 5 ) $ ( 1 ) $ ( 7 ) $ ( 2 )

The gain/(loss) on the derivatives in fair value hedging relationships is fully offset by the mark-to-market impact of the related exposure. These are both recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings in Interest Expense. The gain/(loss) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments is substantially offset by the currency mark-to-market of the related exposure. These are both recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings in SG&A.

Amounts in millions of dollars unless otherwise specified.

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

The table below presents the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (AOCI), including the reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) by component:

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) by Component — Hedges Investment Securities Pension and Other Retiree Benefits Financial Statement Translation Total AOCI
Balance at June 30, 2018 $ ( 3,246 ) $ ( 173 ) $ ( 4,058 ) $ ( 7,272 ) $ ( 14,749 )
OCI before reclassifications (1) 199 54 149 ( 587 ) ( 185 )
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2) ( 1 ) 101 1 101
Net current period OCI 199 53 250 ( 586 ) ( 84 )
Reclassification to retained earnings in accordance with ASU 2018-02 (3) ( 18 ) ( 308 ) ( 326 )
Less: Other comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interests ( 3 ) ( 3 )
Balance at December 31, 2018 $ ( 3,065 ) $ ( 120 ) $ ( 4,116 ) $ ( 7,855 ) $ ( 15,156 )

(1) Net of tax expense/(benefit) of $ 61 , $ 0 and $ 38 for gains/losses on hedges, investment securities and pension and other retiree benefit items, respectively.

(2) Net of tax expense/(benefit) of $ 0 , $ 0 and $ 32 for gains/losses on hedges, investment securities and pension and other retiree benefit items, respectively.

(3) Adjustment made to early adopt ASU 2018-02: "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," as discussed in Note 2.

The below provides additional details on amounts reclassified from AOCI into the Consolidated Statements of Earnings:

• Investment securities: amounts reclassified from AOCI into Other non-operating income, net.

• Pension and other retiree benefits: amounts reclassified from AOCI into Other non-operating income, net and included in the computation of net periodic postretirement costs.

• Financial statement translation: amounts reclassified from AOCI into SG&A.

9. Restructuring Program

The Company has historically incurred an ongoing annual level of restructuring-type activities to maintain a competitive cost structure, including manufacturing and workforce optimization. Before-tax costs incurred under the ongoing program have generally ranged from $ 250 to $ 500 annually.

In fiscal 2017, the Company announced specific elements of a multi-year productivity and cost savings plan to further reduce costs in the areas of supply chain, certain marketing activities and overhead expenses. This program is expected to result in incremental enrollment reductions, along with further optimization of the supply chain and other manufacturing processes.

Restructuring costs incurred consist primarily of costs to separate employees, asset-related costs to exit facilities and other costs. For the three and six month periods ended December 31, 2018 , the Company incurred total restructuring charges of $ 177 and $ 314 , respectively. Of these charges incurred, $ 25 and $ 97 were recorded in SG&A and $ 143 and $ 207 were recorded in Cost of products sold, respectively. The remainder of these charges were recorded in Other non-operating income, net. The following table presents restructuring activity for the six months ended December 31, 2018:

Reserve Balance June 30, 2018 Charges Previously Reported (Three Months Ended September 30, 2018) Charges for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 Six Months Ended December 31, 2018 — Cash Spent Charges Against Assets Reserve Balance December 31, 2018
Separations $ 259 $ 53 $ 56 $ ( 115 ) $ — $ 253
Asset-related costs 28 22 ( 50 )
Other costs 254 56 99 ( 180 ) 229
Total $ 513 $ 137 $ 177 $ ( 295 ) $ ( 50 ) $ 482

Separation Costs

Employee separation charges for the three and six month periods ended December 31, 2018 relate to severance packages for approximately 500 employees and 970 employees, respectively. The packages were predominantly voluntary and the amounts were calculated based on salary levels and past service periods. Severance costs related to voluntary separations are generally charged to earnings when the employee accepts the offer.

Asset-Related Costs

Asset-related costs consist of both asset write-downs and accelerated depreciation. Asset write-downs relate to the establishment of a new fair value basis for assets held-for-sale or disposal. These assets were written down to the lower of their current carrying basis or amounts expected to be realized upon disposal, less minor disposal costs. Charges for accelerated depreciation relate to long-lived assets that will be taken out of service prior to the end of their normal service period. These assets relate primarily to manufacturing consolidations and technology standardizations. The asset-related charges will not have a significant impact on future depreciation charges.

Other Costs

Other restructuring-type charges are incurred as a direct result of the restructuring program. Such charges primarily include asset removal and termination of contracts related to supply chain optimization.

Consistent with our historical policies for ongoing restructuring-type activities, the restructuring program charges are funded by and included within Corporate for both management and segment reporting. Accordingly, all of the charges under the program are included within the Corporate reportable segment. However, for informative purposes, the following table summarizes the total restructuring costs related to our reportable segments:

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 Six Months Ended December 31, 2018
Beauty $ 17 $ 27
Grooming 25 31
Health Care 4 12
Fabric & Home Care 18 31
Baby, Feminine & Family Care 70 91
Corporate (1) 43 122
Total Company $ 177 $ 314

(1) Corporate includes costs related to allocated overheads, including charges related to our Sales and Market Operations, Global Business Services and Corporate Functions activities.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims arising out of our business which cover a wide range of matters such as antitrust, trade and other governmental regulations, product liability, patent and trademark, advertising, contracts, environmental, labor and employment and tax. With respect to these and other litigation and claims, while considerable uncertainty exists, in the opinion of management and our counsel, the ultimate resolution of the various lawsuits and claims will not materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We are also subject to contingencies pursuant to environmental laws and regulations that in the future may require us to take action to correct the effects on the environment of prior manufacturing and waste disposal practices. Based on currently available information, we do not believe the ultimate resolution of environmental remediation will materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Income Tax Uncertainties

The Company is present in approximately 150 taxable jurisdictions and, at any point in time, has 40 – 50 jurisdictional audits underway at various stages of completion. We evaluate our tax positions and establish liabilities for uncertain tax positions that may be challenged by local authorities and may not be fully sustained, despite our belief that the underlying tax positions are fully supportable. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits, developments in case law and closing of statutes of limitations. Such adjustments are reflected in the tax provision as appropriate. We have tax years open ranging from 2008 and forward. We are generally not able to reliably estimate the ultimate settlement amounts until the close of the audit. While we do not expect material changes, it is possible that the amount of unrecognized benefit with respect to our uncertain tax positions could increase or decrease within the next 12 months. At this time, we are not able to make a reasonable estimate of the range of impact on the balance of uncertain tax positions or the impact on the effective tax rate related to these items.

Additional information on the Commitments and Contingencies of the Company can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2018 .

Amounts in millions of dollars unless otherwise specified.

11. Merck Acquisition

On November 30, 2018, we completed our acquisition of the over the counter (OTC) healthcare business of Merck KGaA (Merck OTC) for $ 3.7 billion (based on exchange rates at the time of closing) in an all-cash transaction. This business primarily sells OTC consumer healthcare products, mainly in Europe, Latin America and Asia markets. The results of Merck OTC, which are not material to the Company, are reported in our consolidated financial statements beginning December 1, 2018. Total sales for Merck OTC’s most recently completed fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 were approximately $ 1 billion .

The following table presents the preliminary allocation of purchase price related to the Merck OTC business as of the date of acquisition. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price is based on the best estimates of management and is subject to revision based on final determination of fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired, which will be completed as we complete our analysis of the underlying assets and acquired liabilities, such as pensions, litigation cases, environmental issues, and tax positions.

Amounts in Millions November 30, 2018
Current assets $ 393
Property, plant and equipment 122
Intangible assets 2,111
Goodwill 2,010
Other non-current assets 143
Total Assets Acquired $ 4,779
Current liabilities $ 233
Deferred income taxes 661
Non-current liabilities 60
Total Liabilities Acquired $ 954
Noncontrolling Interest (1) $ 169
Net Assets Acquired $ 3,656

(1) Represents a 48 % minority ownership interest in the Merck India company.

The acquisition resulted in $ 2.0 billion in goodwill, of which approximately $ 180 million is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. All of this goodwill was allocated to the Health Care Segment. The goodwill is primarily attributable to the assembled workforce and synergies we expect to generate by combining the Merck OTC business with the Company’s existing personal health care business.

We have preliminarily estimated the fair value of Merck OTC’s identifiable intangible assets as $ 2.1 billion . The preliminary allocation of identifiable intangible assets and their average useful lives is as follows:

Amounts in Millions Estimated Fair Value Avg Remaining Useful Life
Intangible Assets with Determinable Lives
Brands $ 701 14
Patents and technology 118 7
Customer relationships 346 20
Total $ 1,165 15
Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives
Brands 946
Total Intangible Assets $ 2,111

Amounts in millions of dollars unless otherwise specified.

The majority of the intangible valuation relates to brand intangibles. Our preliminary assessment as to brand intangibles that have an indefinite life and those that have a definite life was based on a number of factors, including competitive environment, market share, brand history, product life cycles, operating plan and the macroeconomic environment of the countries in which the brands are sold. The indefinite-lived brand intangibles include Neurobion and Dolo Neurobion. The definite-lived brand intangibles primarily include regional or local brands. The definite-lived brand intangibles have estimated lives ranging from 10 to 20 years. The technology intangibles are related to R&D and manufacturing know-how; these intangibles have a 7 year estimated life. The customer relationships intangibles have a 20 year estimated life and reflect the historical and projected attrition rates for Merck OTC’s relationships with health care professionals, retailers and distributors.

ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives, and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report, including without limitation, the following sections: “Management's Discussion and Analysis,” “Risk Factors,” and "Notes 4 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements." These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Risks and uncertainties to which our forward-looking statements are subject include, without limitation: (1) the ability to successfully manage global financial risks, including foreign currency fluctuations, currency exchange or pricing controls and localized volatility; (2) the ability to successfully manage local, regional or global economic volatility, including reduced market growth rates, and to generate sufficient income and cash flow to allow the Company to affect the expected share repurchases and dividend payments; (3) the ability to manage disruptions in credit markets or changes to our credit rating; (4) the ability to maintain key manufacturing and supply arrangements (including execution of supply chain optimizations and sole supplier and sole manufacturing plant arrangements) and to manage disruption of business due to factors outside of our control, such as natural disasters and acts of war or terrorism; (5) the ability to successfully manage cost fluctuations and pressures, including prices of commodities and raw materials, and costs of labor, transportation, energy, pension and healthcare; (6) the ability to stay on the leading edge of innovation, obtain necessary intellectual property protections and successfully respond to changing consumer habits and technological advances attained by, and patents granted to, competitors; (7) the ability to compete with our local and global competitors in new and existing sales channels, including by successfully responding to competitive factors such as prices, promotional incentives and trade terms for products; (8) the ability to manage and maintain key customer relationships; (9) the ability to protect our reputation and brand equity by successfully managing real or perceived issues, including concerns about safety, quality, ingredients, efficacy or similar matters that may arise; (10) the ability to successfully manage the financial, legal, reputational and operational risk associated with third-party relationships, such as our suppliers, distributors, contractors and external business partners; (11) the ability to rely on and maintain key company and third party information technology systems, networks and services, and maintain the security and functionality of such systems, networks and services and the data contained therein; (12) the ability to successfully manage uncertainties related to changing political conditions (including the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union) and potential implications such as exchange rate fluctuations and market contraction; (13) the ability to successfully manage regulatory and legal requirements and matters (including, without limitation, those laws and regulations involving product liability, intellectual property, antitrust, data protection, tax, environmental, and accounting and financial reporting) and to resolve pending matters within current estimates; (14) the ability to manage changes in applicable tax laws and regulations including maintaining our intended tax treatment of divestiture transactions; (15) the ability to successfully manage our ongoing acquisition, divestiture and joint venture activities, in each case to achieve the Company’s overall business strategy and financial objectives, without impacting the delivery of base business objectives; and (16) the ability to successfully achieve productivity improvements and cost savings and manage ongoing organizational changes, while successfully identifying, developing and retaining key employees, including in key growth markets where the availability of skilled or experienced employees may be limited. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those projected herein, is included in the section titled “Economic Conditions and Uncertainties” and the section titled “Risk Factors” (Part II, Item 1A) of this Form 10-Q.

The purpose of Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) is to provide an understanding of Procter & Gamble's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year to year. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes.

The MD&A is organized in the following sections:

• Overview

• Summary of Results – Six Months Ended December 31, 2018

• Economic Conditions and Uncertainties

• Results of Operations – Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2018

• Business Segment Discussion – Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2018

• Liquidity and Capital Resources

• Reconciliation of Measures Not Defined by U.S. GAAP

Throughout the MD&A, we refer to measures used by management to evaluate performance, including unit volume growth, net sales and net earnings. We also refer to a number of financial measures that are not defined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), including organic sales growth, core net earnings per share (Core EPS), adjusted free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow productivity. The explanation at the end of the MD&A provides the definition of these non-GAAP measures as well as details on the use and the derivation of these measures.

Management also uses certain market share and market consumption estimates to evaluate performance relative to competition despite some limitations on the availability and comparability of share and consumption information. References to market share and market consumption in the MD&A are based on a combination of vendor purchased traditional brick-and-mortar and online data in key markets as well as internal estimates. All market share references represent the percentage of sales in dollar terms on a constant currency basis of our products, relative to all product sales in the category. The Company measures fiscal-year-to-date market shares through the most recent period for which market share data is available, which typically reflects a lag time of one or two months.

OVERVIEW

P&G is a global leader in the fast-moving consumer goods industry, focused on providing branded consumer packaged goods of superior quality and value to our consumers around the world. Our products are sold in more than 180 countries and territories primarily through mass merchandisers, e-commerce, grocery stores, membership club stores, drug stores, department stores, distributors, wholesalers, baby stores, specialty beauty stores, high-frequency stores and pharmacies. We have on-the-ground operations in approximately 70 countries.

Our market environment is highly competitive with global, regional and local competitors. In many of the markets and industry segments in which we sell our products, we compete against other branded products as well as retailers' private-label brands. Additionally, many of the product segments in which we compete are differentiated by price tiers (referred to as super-premium, premium, mid-tier and value-tier products). We are well positioned in the industry segments and markets in which we operate, often holding a leadership or significant market share position.

The table below provides detail on our reportable segments, including the product categories and brand composition within each segment.

Reportable Segments Product Categories (Sub-Categories) Major Brands
Beauty Hair Care ( Conditioner, Shampoo, Styling Aids, Treatments ) Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Rejoice
Skin and Personal Care ( Antiperspirant and Deodorant, Personal Cleansing, Skin Care ) Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, SK-II
Grooming Grooming (1) (Shave Care - Female Blades & Razors, Male Blades & Razors, Pre- and Post-Shave Products, Other Shave Care; Appliances) Braun, Fusion, Gillette, Mach3, Prestobarba, Venus
Health Care Oral Care ( Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Other Oral Care ) Crest, Oral-B
Personal Health Care ( Gastrointestinal, Rapid Diagnostics, Respiratory, Vitamins/Minerals/Supplements, Other Personal Health Care ) Metamucil, Prilosec, Vicks
Fabric & Home Care Fabric Care ( Fabric Enhancers, Laundry Additives, Laundry Detergents ) Ariel, Downy, Gain, Tide
Home Care ( Air Care, Dish Care, P&G Professional, Surface Care ) Cascade, Dawn, Febreze, Mr. Clean, Swiffer
Baby, Feminine & Family Care Baby Care ( Baby Wipes, Diapers and Pants ) Luvs, Pampers
Feminine Care ( Adult Incontinence, Feminine Care ) Always, Tampax
Family Care ( Paper Towels, Tissues, Toilet Paper ) Bounty, Charmin, Puffs

(1) The Grooming product category is comprised of the Shave Care and Appliances Global Business Units.

The following table provides the percentage of net sales and net earnings by reportable business segment for the three and six months ended December 31, 2018 (excluding net sales and net earnings in Corporate):

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 — Net Sales Net Earnings Six Months Ended December 31, 2018 — Net Sales Net Earnings
Beauty 20% 24% 20% 25%
Grooming 9% 12% 9% 11%
Health Care 13% 16% 12% 14%
Fabric & Home Care 32% 26% 33% 28%
Baby, Feminine & Family Care 26% 22% 26% 22%
Total Company 100% 100% 100% 100%

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

Following are highlights of results for the six months ended December 31, 2018 versus the six months ended December 31, 2017 :

• Net sales were unchanged at $34.1 billion . Organic sales, which exclude the impacts of acquisitions and divestitures and foreign exchange, increased 4% . Organic sales increased 8% in Beauty, 5% in Health Care and Fabric & Home Care and 1% in Baby, Feminine & Family Care. Organic sales were unchanged in Grooming.

• Unit volume increased 2% , with organic volume up 3% . Volume increased mid-single digits in Fabric & Home Care, low single digits in Beauty, Health Care and Baby, Feminine & Family Care and was unchanged in Grooming. Excluding the impacts of the PGT Healthcare partnership dissolution and the Merck OTC acquisition, organic volume increased mid-single digits in Health Care.

• Net earnings were $6.4 billion , an increase of $996 million, or 18% versus the prior year due to a reduction in current year income tax expense (due primarily to the ongoing impacts of the U.S. Tax Act), a current year gain on the dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership and base period charges related to the transitional impacts of the U.S. Tax Act.

• Diluted net earnings per share increased 22% to $2.44 due primarily to the increase in net earnings and a reduction in shares outstanding due to share repurchases.

• Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble increased $1.0 billion or 20% versus the prior year period to $6.4 billion .

• Core net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble, which represents net earnings excluding the current period gain on the dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership, incremental restructuring charges in both periods and the base period charges related to the transitional impacts of the U.S. Tax Act, increased 1% to $6.2 billion. Core net earnings per share increased 4% to $2.36 due to the increase in Core net earnings and the reduction in shares outstanding.

• Operating cash flow was $7.6 billion . Adjusted free cash flow, which is operating cash flow less capital expenditures and certain other impacts, was $6.0 billion . Adjusted free cash flow productivity was 99% . Adjusted free cash flow and adjusted free cash flow productivity are defined in the section entitled "Reconciliation of Measures not defined by U.S. GAAP."

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Global Economic Conditions . Our products are sold in countries around the world including North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa with more than half our sales generated outside the United States. As such, we are exposed to and impacted by global macro-economic factors, U.S. and foreign government policies and foreign exchange fluctuations. Current macroeconomic factors remain dynamic, and any causes of market size contraction, such as reduced GDP in commodity-dependent economies, greater political unrest in the Middle East, Central & Eastern Europe and the Korean peninsula, economic uncertainty related to the execution of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, political instability in certain Latin American markets and overall economic slowdowns, could reduce our sales or erode our operating margin, in either case reducing our earnings.

Changes in Costs . Our costs are subject to fluctuations, particularly due to changes in commodity prices, transportation costs and our own productivity efforts. We have significant exposures to certain commodities, in particular certain oil-derived materials like resins and paper-based materials like pulp, and volatility in the market price of these commodity input materials has a direct impact on our costs. If we are unable to manage commodity fluctuations through pricing actions, cost savings projects and sourcing decisions, as well as through consistent productivity improvements, it may adversely impact our gross margin, operating margin and net earnings. Sales could also be adversely impacted following pricing actions if there is a negative impact on consumption of our products. We strive to implement, achieve and sustain cost improvement plans, including outsourcing projects, supply chain optimization and general overhead and workforce optimization. As discussed later in this MD&A, in 2012 we initiated overhead and supply chain cost improvement projects. In fiscal 2017, we communicated specific elements of an additional multi-year cost reduction program which is resulting in enrollment reductions and other savings. If we are not successful in executing and sustaining these changes, there could be a negative impact on our operating margin and net earnings.

Foreign Exchange . We have both translation and transaction exposure to the fluctuation of exchange rates. Translation exposures relate to exchange rate impacts of measuring income statements of foreign subsidiaries that do not use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. Transaction exposures relate to 1) the impact from input costs that are denominated in a currency other than the local reporting currency and 2) the revaluation of transaction-related working capital balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. In four of the past five fiscal years, as well as the current year, the U.S. dollar has strengthened versus a number of foreign currencies leading to lower sales and earnings from these foreign exchange impacts. Certain countries experiencing significant exchange rate fluctuations, like Argentina, Russia, Turkey, Brazil, China and the United Kingdom have previously had, and could in the future have, a significant impact on our sales, costs and earnings. Increased pricing in response to certain fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may offset portions of the currency impacts but could also have a negative impact on consumption of our products, which would affect our sales and profits.

Government Policies . Our net earnings could be affected by changes in U.S. or foreign government tax policies, for example, the U.S. Tax Act enacted in December 2017, the implications and uncertainties of which are disclosed elsewhere in this report. Additionally, we attempt to carefully manage our debt, currency and other exposures in certain countries with currency exchange, import authorization and pricing controls, such as Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt. Further, our earnings and sales could be affected by changes to international trade agreements in North America and elsewhere, including increases of import tariffs, both currently effective and future potential changes. Changes in government policies in these areas might cause an increase or decrease in our sales, operating margin and net earnings.

For information on risk factors that could impact our results, please refer to “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

The following discussion provides a review of results for the three months ended December 31, 2018 versus the three months ended December 31, 2017 .

Amounts in millions, except per share amounts Three Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017 % Chg
Net sales $17,438 $17,395 —%
Operating income 3,896 3,919 (1)%
Net earnings 3,216 2,561 26%
Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble 3,194 2,495 28%
Diluted net earnings per common share 1.22 0.93 31%
Core net earnings per common share 1.25 1.19 5%
Three Months Ended December 31
COMPARISONS AS A PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES 2018 2017 Basis Pt Chg
Gross profit 48.9% 49.9% (100)
Selling, general & administrative expense 26.5% 27.4% (90)
Operating income 22.3% 22.5% (20)
Earnings before income taxes 22.5% 23.2% (70)
Net earnings 18.4% 14.7% 370
Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble 18.3% 14.3% 400

Net Sales

Net sales for the quarter were unchanged versus the previous period at $17.4 billion including a 4% negative impact from foreign exchange. Unit volume increased 2% . Pricing was a 1% favorable impact to net sales. Mix was a 1% positive impact to net sales, driven by disproportionate growth of the premium Skin Care category (behind the SK-II brand) and developed regions, all of which have higher than company average selling prices. Volume increased mid-single digits in Fabric & Home Care and increased low single digits in Beauty, Health Care and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. Volume decreased mid-single digits in Grooming. Excluding the impacts of the PGT Healthcare partnership dissolution and Merck OTC acquisition, Health Care organic volume increased mid-single digits. Excluding the impact of minor acquisitions and divestitures, Beauty organic volume was unchanged. Volume increased low single digits in developed regions and was unchanged in developing regions. Excluding the impact of minor brand divestitures, organic volume in developing regions increased low single digits. Organic sales increased 4% on a 2% increase in organic volume.

Net Sales Change Drivers 2018 vs. 2017 (Three Months Ended December 31) (1) — Volume with Acquisitions & Divestitures Volume Excluding Acquisitions & Divestitures Foreign Exchange Price Mix Other (2) Net Sales Growth
Beauty 1% —% (4)% 2% 5% —% 4%
Grooming (4)% (4)% (5)% 1% —% (1)% (9)%
Health Care 3% 4% (3)% 1% —% (1)% —%
Fabric & Home Care 4% 4% (3)% 1% 1% (1)% 2%
Baby, Feminine & Family Care 1% 1% (4)% 1% 1% —% (1)%
Total Company 2% 2% (4)% 1% 1% —% —%

(1) Net sales percentage changes are approximations based on quantitative formulas that are consistently appl ied.

(2) Other includes the sales mix impact from acquisitions and divestitures, the impact from the July 1, 2018 adoption of new accounting standards for "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" and rounding impacts necessary to reconcile volume to net sales.

Operating Costs

Gross margin decreased 100 basis points to 48.9% of net sales for the quarter. Gross margin benefited from 150 basis points of gross manufacturing cost savings projects (120 basis points net of product and packaging reinvestments) and 50 basis points of positive pricing impacts. This was offset by:

• a 90 basis point decline due to higher commodity costs,

• a 120 basis point decline from unfavorable product mix (primarily within segments due to the growth of lower margin products forms in certain categories and due to the disproportionate growth of the Fabric Care category which has lower than company-average margins) and other impacts and

• a 60 basis point decline from unfavorable foreign exchange

Total SG&A spending decreased 3% to $4.6 billion due to decreases in marketing spending costs. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased 90 basis points to 26.5% . Reductions in marketing spending as a percentage of net sales were partially offset by an increase in overhead costs as a percentage of net sales. Marketing spending as a percentage of net sales decreased 130 basis points due to the positive scale impacts of the organic net sales increase, savings in agency compensation, production costs and advertising spending, and the impact of adopting the new standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" which prospectively reclassified certain customer spending from marketing (SG&A) expense to a reduction of net sales. Overhead costs as a percentage of net sales increased 30 basis points as the fixed cost leverage of increased volume and productivity savings were more than offset by inflation, Merck OTC transition related spending and other costs. Other net operating costs as a percentage of net sales increased 10 basis points. Productivity-driven cost savings delivered 60 basis points of benefit in SG&A.

Non-Operating Expenses and Income

Interest expense was $138 million for the quarter, an increase of $16 million versus the prior year period due to an increase in debt and in weighted average interest rates. Interest income was $63 million for the quarter, a marginal decrease versus the prior year period. Other non-operating income was $95 million , a decrease of $75 million versus the prior year period primarily due to the impact of minor brand divestiture gains in the base period.

Income Taxes

For the three months ended December 31, 2018 the effective tax rate decreased 1,860 basis points versus the prior year period to 17.9% due to:

• a 1,550 basis-point reduction due to prior year transitional impacts from the U.S. Tax Act,

• a 410 basis-point reduction from the on-going impacts of U.S. Tax reform. The lower blended U.S. federal tax rate on current year earnings was partially offset by the impact of recording a year-to-date (6 month) impact in December 2017 upon passage of the tax reform.

• a 150 basis-point reduction from excess tax benefits from share-based compensation (170 basis points in the current year versus 20 basis points in the prior year),

• a 90 basis-point reduction from discrete impacts related to uncertain tax positions (90 basis points in the current year versus 0 basis points in the prior year),

• a 340 basis-point increase from unfavorable impacts from geographic mix of earnings.

Net Earnings

Net earnings increased $655 million or 26% to $3.2 billion for the quarter . The tax rate reduction discussed above drove a $772 million increase in net earnings. This tax benefit and the decrease in SG&A spending were partially offset by the decrease in gross margin, all of which are discussed above. Foreign exchange had a negative impact of $229 million on net earnings for the quarter, including both transactional charges and translational impacts from converting earnings from foreign subsidiaries to U.S. dollars. Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble increased $699 million or 28% to $3.2 billion for the quarter. Diluted net earnings per share increased 31% to $1.22 . The difference between the change in net earnings and diluted net earnings per share was due to a reduction in the number of shares outstanding. Core net earnings per share increased 5% to $1.25 . Core net earnings per share represents diluted net earnings per share excluding the transitional impacts from the U.S. Tax Act in the base period and incremental restructuring charges in both periods related to our productivity and cost savings plans.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Six Months Ended December 31, 2018

The following discussion provides a review of results for the six months ended December 31, 2018 versus the six months ended December 31, 2017 .

Amounts in millions, except per share amounts Six Months Ended December 31 — 2018 2017 % Chg
Net sales $34,128 $34,048 —%
Operating income 7,450 7,567 (2)%
Net earnings 6,427 5,431 18%
Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble 6,393 5,348 20%
Diluted net earnings per common share 2.44 2.00 22%
Core net earnings per common share $2.36 $2.28 4%
Six Months Ended December 31
COMPARISONS AS A PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES 2018 2017 Basis Pt Chg
Gross profit 49.0% 50.1% (110)
Selling, general & administrative expense 27.2% 27.9% (70)
Operating income 21.8% 22.2% (40)
Earnings before income taxes 23.0% 22.9% 10
Net earnings 18.8% 16.0% 280
Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble 18.7% 15.7% 300

Net Sales

Net sales for the six months ended December 31, 2018 were unchanged at $34.1 billion including a 3% negative impact from foreign exchange. Unit volume increased 2% . Mix was a 1% positive impact to net sales, driven by disproportionate organic growth of the Skin and Personal Care and Personal Health Care categories and developed regions, all of which have higher than company average selling prices. Volume increased mid-single digits in Fabric & Home Care and increased low single digits in Beauty, Health Care and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. Volume was unchanged in Grooming. Excluding the impacts of the PGT Healthcare partnership dissolution and Merck OTC acquisition, Health Care organic volume increased mid-single digits. Volume increased mid-single digits in developed regions and low single digits in developing regions. Organic sales increased 4% on a 3% increase in organic volume.

Net Sales Change Drivers 2018 vs. 2017 (Six Months Ended December 31) (1) — Volume with Acquisitions & Divestitures Volume Excluding Acquisitions & Divestitures Foreign Exchange Price Mix Other (2) Net Sales Growth
Beauty 2% 2% (4)% 2% 4% —% 4%
Grooming —% —% (5)% 1% (1)% —% (5)%
Health Care 2% 4% (2)% 1% (1)% (1)% (1)%
Fabric & Home Care 4% 5% (2)% —% —% —% 2%
Baby, Feminine & Family Care 1% 1% (3)% —% —% —% (2)%
Total Company 2% 3% (3)% —% 1% —% —%

(1) Net sales percentage changes are approximations based on quantitative formulas that are consistently appl ied.

(2) Other includes the sales mix impact from acquisitions and divestitures, the impact from the July 1, 2018 adoption of new accounting standards for "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" and rounding impacts necessary to reconcile volume to net sales.

Operating Costs

Gross margin decreased 110 basis points to 49.0% of net sales for the six months ended December 31, 2018 . Gross margin benefited from 130 basis points of gross manufacturing cost savings projects (100 basis points net of product and packaging reinvestments) and 20 basis points of positive pricing impacts. This was offset by:

• a 100 basis point decline due to higher commodity costs,

• a 70 basis point decline from unfavorable product mix (primarily within segments due to the growth of lower margin products forms and club channels in certain categories and due to the disproportionate growth of the Fabric Care category which has lower than company-average margins) and other impacts and

• a 60 basis point decline from unfavorable foreign exchange

Total SG&A spending decreased 2% to $9.3 billion primarily due to decreases in marketing spending costs. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased 70 basis points to 27.2% . Reduction in marketing spending as a percentage of net sales was partially offset by an increase in other net operating costs as a percentage of net sales. Overhead costs as a percentage of net sales was unchanged as productivity savings and fixed cost leverage of increased volume, were offset by an increase in inflation and other costs. Marketing spending as a percentage of net sales decreased 110 basis points due to the positive scale impacts of the organic net sales increase, savings in agency compensation, production costs and advertising spending, and the impact of adopting the new standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" which prospectively reclassified certain customer spending from marketing (SG&A) expense to a reduction of net sales. Other net operating costs as a percentage of net sales increased approximately 50 basis points primarily due to an increase in foreign exchange transactional charges. Productivity-driven cost savings delivered 70 basis points of benefit in SG&A.

Non-Operating Expenses and Income

Interest expense was $267 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $30 million versus the prior year period due to an increase in debt and in weighted average interest rates. Interest income was $116 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018 , a marginal increase versus the prior year period. Other non-operating income was $557 million , an increase of $218 million versus the prior year period primarily due to the $355 million before-tax gain from the dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership, partially offset by the impact of minor brand divestiture gains in the base period.

Income Taxes

For the six months ended December 31, 2018 the effective tax rate decreased 1,200 basis points versus the prior year period to 18.2% due to:

• an 810 basis-point reduction due to prior year transitional impacts from the U.S. Tax Act,

• a 490 basis-point reduction from the impact of the lower blended U.S. federal tax rate on current year earnings versus the prior year rate,

• an 80 basis-point reduction from the tax impact of the gain on the dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership,

• a 40 basis-point reduction from excess tax benefits from share-based compensation (110 basis points in the current year versus 70 basis points in the prior year),

• a 20 basis-point reduction from discrete impacts related to uncertain tax positions (20 basis points in the current year versus 0 basis points in the prior year),

• a 240 basis-point increase from unfavorable impacts from geographic mix of earnings.

Net Earnings

Net earnings increased $996 million or 18% to $6.4 billion for the fiscal year to date period. The tax rate reduction discussed above drove a $924 million increase in net earnings. This tax benefit along with the current period gain on the dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership and decrease in SG&A spending were partially offset by the decrease in gross margin, all of which are discussed above. Foreign exchange had a $484 million negative impact on net earnings for the fiscal year to date period, including both transactional charges and translational impacts from converting earnings from foreign subsidiaries to U.S. dollars. Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble increased $1 billion or 20% to $6.4 billion. Diluted net earnings per share increased 22% to $2.44 . The difference between the change in net earnings and diluted net earnings per share was due to a reduction in the number of shares outstanding. Core net earnings per share increased 4% to $2.36 . Core net earnings per share represents diluted net earnings per share excluding the current period gain on the dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership, incremental restructuring charges in both periods related to our productivity and cost savings plans and the base period charges related to the transitional impacts of the U.S. Tax Act.

BUSINESS SEGMENT DISCUSSION – Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2018

The following discussion provides a review of results by reportable business segment. Analysis of the results for the three and six months periods ended December 31, 2018 is provided based on a comparison to the same three and six months periods ended December 31, 2017 . The primary financial measures used to evaluate segment performance are net sales and net earnings. The

Amounts in millions of dollars unless otherwise specified.

table below provides supplemental information on net sales and net earnings by reportable business segment for the three and six months ended December 31, 2018 versus the comparable prior year period (dollar amounts in millions):

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 — Net Sales % Change Versus Year Ago Earnings/(Loss) Before Income Taxes % Change Versus Year Ago Net Earnings/(Loss) % Change Versus Year Ago
Beauty $ 3,357 4 % $ 964 13 % $ 772 18 %
Grooming 1,617 (9 )% 448 (16 )% 378 (11 )%
Health Care 2,220 % 669 % 520 14 %
Fabric & Home Care 5,557 2 % 1,134 3 % 860 20 %
Baby, Feminine & Family Care 4,558 (1 )% 930 % 707 18 %
Corporate 129 2 % (229 ) N/A (21 ) N/A
Total Company $ 17,438 % $ 3,916 (3 )% $ 3,216 26 %
Six Months Ended December 31, 2018 — Net Sales % Change Versus Year Ago Earnings/(Loss) Before Income Taxes % Change Versus Year Ago Net Earnings/(Loss) % Change Versus Year Ago
Beauty $ 6,646 4 % $ 1,911 13 % $ 1,531 19 %
Grooming 3,179 (5 )% 865 (8 )% 718 (5 )%
Health Care 4,065 (1 )% 1,109 (1 )% 852 12 %
Fabric & Home Care 11,045 2 % 2,278 % 1,737 17 %
Baby, Feminine & Family Care 8,948 (2 )% 1,832 (3 )% 1,399 14 %
Corporate 245 4 % (139 ) N/A 190 N/A
Total Company $ 34,128 % $ 7,856 1 % $ 6,427 18 %

Beauty

Three months ended December 31, 2018 compared with three months ended December 31, 2017

Beauty net sales increased 4% to $3.4 billion during the second fiscal quarter on a 1% increase in unit volume . Favorable product mix added 5% to net sales due to the disproportionate growth of the super-premium SK-II and Olay Skin Care brands, which have higher than segment average selling prices. Higher pricing increased net sales by 2%. Unfavorable foreign exchange impacts reduced net sales by 4%. Organic sales increased 8% on flat organic volume. Global market share of the Beauty segment increased 0.1 points . Volume increased low single digits in developed and developing regions. Excluding the impact of minor brand acquisitions, volume decreased low single digits in developed regions.

• Volume in Hair Care was unchanged . Developed market volume was unchanged. Volume in developing regions decreased low single digits. Excluding the impact of minor brand divestitures, volume in developing markets was unchanged. Global market share of the Hair Care category was unchanged .

• Volume in Skin and Personal Care increased mid-single digits . Excluding the impact of minor brand acquisitions, organic volume increased low single digits. Volume increased low single digits in developed regions. Excluding the impact of minor brand acquisitions, developed regions volume declined low single digits due to price increases in the current period and higher retail inventory to support new product launches in the base period. Volume increased high single digits in developing regions due to premium innovation and increased marketing spending. Global market share of the Skin and Personal Care category increased slightly.

Net earnings increased 18% to $772 million due to the increase in net sales and a 280 basis-point increase in net earnings margin. The net earnings margin increased due to a decrease in SG&A as a percentage of net sales, an increase in gross margin and a reduction in U.S. income tax rates resulting from the U.S. Tax Act. The gross margin increase was primarily driven by manufacturing cost savings and the benefit of increased pricing. The reduction in SG&A as a percentage of sales was primarily driven by the positive scale impacts of the net sales increase and the impacts of adopting the new accounting standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers."

Six months ended December 31, 2018 compared with six months ended December 31, 2017

Beauty fiscal year to date net sales increased 4% to $6.6 billion on a 2% increase in unit volume . Favorable product mix added 4% to net sales due to the disproportionate growth of the super-premium SK-II and Olay Skin Care brands, which have higher than segment average selling prices. Higher pricing increased net sales by 2%. Unfavorable foreign exchange impacts reduced net sales by 4%. Organic sales increased 8% . Global market share of the Beauty segment was unchanged . Volume increased low

single digits in developed and developing regions. Excluding the impact of minor brand acquisitions, developed regions volume was unchanged.

• Volume in Hair Care increased low single digits . Developed market volume was unchanged. Volume in developing regions increased low single digits due to market growth and product innovation. Global market share of the Hair Care category was unchanged .

• Volume in Skin and Personal Care increased mid-single digits . Developed regions volume increased low single digits. Excluding the impact of minor brand acquisitions, developed regions volume was unchanged. Volume increased high single digits in developing regions due to premium innovation, increased marketing spending and market growth. Global market share of the Skin and Personal Care category was unchanged.

Net earnings increased 19% to $1.5 billion due to the increase in net sales and a 280 basis-point increase in net earnings margin. The net earnings margin increased primarily due to a decrease in SG&A as a percentage of net sales, an increase in gross margin and a reduction in U.S. income tax rates resulting from the U.S. Tax Act. Gross margin increase was primarily driven by manufacturing cost savings and the benefit of increased pricing. The reduction in SG&A as a percentage of sales was primarily driven by the fixed cost leverage of increased volume and the impacts of adopting the new accounting standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers."

Grooming

Three months ended December 31, 2018 compared with three months ended December 31, 2017

Grooming net sales decreased 9% to $1.6 billion during the second fiscal quarter on a 4% decrease in unit volume . Foreign exchange had a 5% unfavorable impact on net sales. Pricing had a positive 1% impact on net sales due to devaluation related price increases in certain markets. Organic sales decreased 3% . Global market share of the Grooming segment decreased 0.5 points . Volume decreased low single digits in developed regions and decreased mid-single digits in developing regions.

• Shave Care volume decreased mid-single digits . Developed regions volume decreased low single digits due to competitive activity. Developing regions volume decreased mid-single digits due to devaluation related price increases and competitive activity. Global market share of the Shave Care category was unchanged .

• Volume in Appliances was unchanged . Volume decreased low single digits in developed regions due to competitive activity and lower trade inventories in certain countries. Volume increased low single digits in developing regions due to market growth. Global market share of the Appliances category decreased slightly .

Net earnings decreased 11% to $378 million primarily due to the reduction in net sales and a 40 basis-point decrease in net earnings margin. Net earnings margin decreased primarily due to a reduction in gross margin, partially offset by a reduction in U.S. income tax rates and a reduction in SG&A as a percentage of net sales. Gross margin declined due to the negative impact of unfavorable mix (due to the disproportionate growth of disposable razors and large count packs which have lower than segment average margins) and unfavorable foreign exchange impacts, partially offset by manufacturing cost savings. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased due to reductions in both overhead costs and marketing spending and the impacts from adoption of the new accounting standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers."

Six months ended December 31, 2018 compared with six months ended December 31, 2017

Grooming fiscal year to date net sales decreased 5% to $3.2 billion on unit volume that was unchanged . Foreign exchange had a 5% unfavorable impact on net sales. Pricing had a positive 1% impact on net sales due to devaluation related price increases in certain markets. Negative mix reduced net sales by 1% due to the growth of lower tier products and club channels which have lower than segment average selling prices. Organic sales were unchanged . Global market share of the Grooming segment decreased 0.6 points . Volume increased low single digits in developed regions and declined low single digits in developing regions.

• Shave Care volume was unchanged . Developed regions volume increased low single digits due to increased competitiveness following price reductions in prior quarters and an increase in consumer promotions. Developing regions volume decreased low single digits following devaluation related price increases and competitive activity. Global market share of the Shave Care category was unchanged .

• Volume in Appliances increased low single digits . Volume increased low single digits in both developed and developing regions due to market growth. Global market share of the Appliances category decreased nearly half a point .

Net earnings decreased 5% to $718 million due to the reduction in net sales partially offset by a 20 basis-point increase in net earnings margin. Net earnings margin increased primarily due to a reduction in SG&A as a percentage of net sales and a reduction in U.S. income tax rates, partially offset by a decrease in gross margin. Gross margin declined due to the negative impact of unfavorable mix (due to the disproportionate growth of disposable razors and large count packs which have lower than segment average margins), unfavorable foreign exchange impacts and commodity cost increases. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased due to reductions in both overhead costs and marketing spending and the impacts from adoption of the new accounting standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers."

Health Care

Three months ended December 31, 2018 compared with three months ended December 31, 2017

Health Care net sales was unchanged at $2.2 billion during the second fiscal quarter on a 3% increase in unit volume . Excluding the impact of the dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership and the Merck OTC consumer healthcare acquisition, organic volume increased 4%. Unfavorable foreign exchange impacts decreased net sales by 3%. Higher pricing increased net sales by 1%. Organic sales increased 5% . Global market share of the Health Care segment increased 0.5 points. Volume increased low single digits in developed regions and increased high single digits in developing regions. Excluding the impact of the dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership and the Merck OTC consumer healthcare acquisition, organic volume increased mid-single digits in both developed and developing regions.

• Oral Care volume increased mid-single digits . Volume increased mid-single digits in developed regions due to premium paste and power toothbrush innovation. Volume in developing regions increased mid-single digits due to innovation and base period trade inventory reductions. Global market share of the Oral Care category increased less than half a point .

• Volume in Personal Health Care was unchanged . Excluding the impact of the PGT Healthcare partnership dissolution and the Merck OTC consumer healthcare acquisition, organic volume increased low single digits. Developed regions volume decreased high single digits, while organic volume grew low single digits due to product innovation. Volume in developing regions increased double digits and mid-single digits on an organic basis, due to innovation and market growth. Global market share of the Personal Health Care category increased more than half a point .

Net earnings increased 14% to $520 million , primarily due to a 290 basis point increase in net earnings margin. Net earnings margin increased due to a reduction in SG&A as a percentage of sales and a decrease in U.S. income tax rates, partially offset by a reduction in gross margin. Gross margin decreased driven by unfavorable mix due to the disproportionate growth of developing markets and the net impacts of acquisitions and divestitures in personal health care. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased primarily due to a reduction in marketing spending and the impacts from adoption of the new accounting standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", partially offset by an increase in overhead costs due to the net impacts of personal health care acquisitions and divestitures.

Six months ended December 31, 2018 compared with six months ended December 31, 2017

Health Care fiscal year to date net sales decreased 1% to $4.1 billion on a 2% increase in unit volume . Excluding the impact of the dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership and the Merck OTC consumer healthcare acquisition, organic volume increased 4%. Unfavorable foreign exchange impacts decreased net sales by 2%. Higher pricing increased net sales by 1%. Unfavorable mix impacts reduced net sales by 1% due to the disproportionate growth of developing regions. Organic sales increased 5% . Global market share of the Health Care segment increased 0.4 points . Volume increased low single digits in developed regions and increased mid-single digits in developing regions. Excluding the impact of the dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership and the Merck OTC consumer healthcare acquisition, organic volume increased mid-single digits in both developed and developing regions.

• Oral Care volume increased low single digits . Volume increased mid-single digits in developed regions due to premium paste and power toothbrush innovation and lower pricing in the form of increased promotional spending. Volume in developing regions increased low single digits due to innovation and trade inventory reduction in the base period. Global market share of the Oral Care category increased less than half a point .

• Volume in Personal Health Care decreased low single digits . Excluding the impact of the PGT Healthcare partnership dissolution and Merck OTC consumer healthcare acquisition, organic volume increased high single digits. Developed regions volume decreased mid-single digits, while organic volume grew low single digits due to product innovation. Volume in developing regions increased high single digits and double digits on an organic basis, due to innovation and market growth. Global market share of the Personal Health Care category increased more than half a point .

Net earnings increased 12% to $852 million , as the reduction in net sales was more than offset by a 250 basis point increase in net earnings margin. Net earnings margin increased due to a reduction in SG&A as a percentage of sales and a decrease in U.S. income tax rates, partially offset by a reduction in gross margin. Gross margin decreased driven by unfavorable mix, due to the disproportionate growth of developing markets and the net impacts of acquisitions and divestitures in personal health care and other manufacturing cost increases. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased primarily due to a reduction in marketing spending and the impacts from adoption of the new accounting standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", partially offset by an increase in overhead costs due to the net impacts of personal health care acquisitions and divestitures.

Fabric & Home Care

Three months ended December 31, 2018 compared with three months ended December 31, 2017

Fabric & Home Care net sales increased 2% to $5.6 billion during the second fiscal quarter on a 4% increase in unit volume . Unfavorable foreign exchange impacts reduced net sales by 3%. Positive mix impacts increased net sales by 1% due to the disproportionate growth of premium products and higher pricing increased net sales by 1%. Organic sales increased 6% . Global

market share of the Fabric & Home Care segment increased 0.6 points . Volume increased mid-single digits in developed regions and increased low single digits in developing regions. Excluding the impact of minor brand divestitures, developing regions volume increased mid-single digits.

• Fabric Care volume increased mid-single digits . Volume in developed regions grew mid-single digits due to product innovation and lower pricing in the form of increased promotional spending. Volume in developing regions increased mid-single digits driven by product innovation. Global market share of the Fabric Care category increased slightly .

• Home Care volume increased low single digits . Volume in developed regions increased low single digits due to product innovation and market growth. Volume in developing regions decreased mid-single digits. Excluding the impact of minor brand divestitures, volume in developing regions decreased low single digits following devaluation related price increases. Global market share of the Home Care category increased more than a point .

Net earnings increased 20% to $860 million due to the increase in net sales and a 230 basis point increase in net earnings margin. The net earnings margin increase was primarily due to a reduction in SG&A as a percentage of sales and a decrease in U.S. income tax rates partially offset by a reduction in gross margin. Gross margin decreased due to negative product mix impacts (driven by disproportionate growth of product forms with lower than segment-average margins) and an increase in commodity costs, partially offset by manufacturing cost savings. SG&A as a percentage of net sales was down due to reduction in overhead costs and marketing spending driven by productivity savings, fixed cost leverage of increased volume and the impacts from adoption of the new accounting standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers."

Six months ended December 31, 2018 compared with six months ended December 31, 2017

Fabric & Home Care fiscal year to date net sales increased 2% to $11.0 billion on a 4% increase in unit volume . Unfavorable foreign exchange impacts reduced net sales by 2%. Pricing and mix had no impact on net sales. Organic sales increased 5% on a 5% increase in organic volume. Global market share of the Fabric & Home Care segment increased 0.5 points . Volume increased mid-single digits in developed regions and increased low single digits in developing regions. Excluding the impact of minor brand divestitures, volume in developing regions grew mid-single digits.

• Fabric Care volume increased mid-single digits . Volume in developed regions grew mid-single digits due to product innovation and lower pricing in the form of increased promotional spending. Volume in developing regions increased low single digits. Excluding the impact of minor brand divestitures, developing regions volume increased mid-single digits driven by product innovation and market growth. Global market share of the Fabric Care category increased nearly half a point .

• Home Care volume increased mid-single digits . Volume in developed regions increased mid-single digits due to product innovation and market growth. Volume in developing regions decreased low single digits due to devaluation related price increases and category contraction in certain markets. Global market share of the Home Care category increased less than a point .

Net earnings increased 17% to $1.7 billion due to the increase in net sales and a 200 basis point increase in net earnings margin. Net earnings margin increase was primarily due to a reduction in SG&A as a percentage of sales and a decrease in U.S. income tax rates partially offset by a reduction in gross margin. Gross margin decreased due to negative product mix impacts (driven by disproportionate growth of product forms with lower than segment-average margins) and an increase in commodity costs, partially offset by manufacturing cost savings. SG&A as a percentage of net sales was down due to reduction in overhead costs and marketing spending driven by productivity savings, fixed cost leverage of increased volume and the impacts from adoption of the new accounting standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers."

Baby, Feminine & Family Care

Three months ended December 31, 2018 compared with three months ended December 31, 2017

Baby, Feminine & Family Care net sales decreased 1% to $4.6 billion during the second fiscal quarter on a 1% increase in unit volume . Unfavorable foreign exchange impacts decreased net sales by 4%. Higher pricing increased net sales by 1%. Favorable mix increased sales by 1% due to the disproportionate growth of developed regions which have higher than segment average prices. Organic sales increased 3% . Global market share of the Baby, Feminine & Family Care segment increased 0.3 points . Volume increased low single digits in developed regions. Volume in developing regions decreased low single digits.

• Volume in Baby Care decreased mid-single digits . Volume in developed regions declined low single digits due to competitive activity. Volume in developing regions declined high single digits due to competitive activity, volume declines following devaluation related price increases and category contraction in certain markets. Global market share of the Baby Care category decreased nearly half a point .

• Volume in Feminine Care increased mid-single digits . Volume in developed regions increased low single digits due to product innovation and adult incontinence category growth. Volume increased mid-single digits in developing regions. Excluding the impact of minor brand divestitures, volume in developing regions increased high single digits driven by innovation. Global market share of the Feminine Care category increased less than half a point .

• Volume in Family Care, which is predominantly a North American business, increased mid-single digits driven by product innovation and distribution gains. In the U.S., all-outlet share of the Family Care category increased more than a point .

Net earnings increased 18% to $707 million as the reduction in net sales was more than offset by a 260 basis point increase in net earnings margin. Net earnings margin increased primarily due to a decrease in U.S. income tax rates and a reduction in SG&A as a percentage of net sales, partially offset by a reduction in gross margin. Gross margin decreased primarily due to an increase in commodity costs and unfavorable foreign exchange impacts, partially offset by manufacturing cost savings projects. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased due to reduced marketing spending and overhead costs, driven by productivity savings and the impacts from adoption of the new accounting standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers."

Six months ended December 31, 2018 compared with six months ended December 31, 2017

Baby, Feminine & Family Care fiscal year to date net sales decreased 2% to $8.9 billion on a 1% increase in unit volume . Unfavorable foreign exchange impacts decreased net sales by 3%. Pricing and mix had no impact to net sales. Organic sales increased 1% . Global market share of the Baby, Feminine & Family Care segment increased 0.1 points . Volume increased low single digits in developed regions. Volume in developing regions decreased mid-single digits . Excluding the impact of minor brand divestitures, volume in developing regions decreased low single digits.

• Volume in Baby Care decreased mid-single digits . Volume in developed regions declined low single digits due to competitive pricing activity. Volume in developing regions declined high single digits due to competitive activity, volume declines following devaluation related price increases and category contraction in certain markets. Global market share of the Baby Care category decreased more than half a point .

• Volume in Feminine Care increased mid-single digits . Volume in developed regions increased low single digits due to product innovation and adult incontinence category growth. Volume increased mid-single digits in developing regions driven by innovation and lower pricing in the form of increased promotional spending. Global market share of the Feminine Care category increased less than half a point .

• Volume in Family Care, which is predominantly a North American business, increased mid-single digits driven by product innovation and distribution gains. In the U.S., all-outlet share of the Family Care category increased a point .

Net earnings increased 14% to $1.4 billion as the reduction in net sales was more than offset by a 220 basis point increase in net earnings margin. Net earnings margin increased primarily due to a decrease in U.S. income tax rates and a reduction in SG&A as a percentage of net sales, partially offset by a reduction in gross margin. Gross margin decreased primarily due to an increase in commodity costs and unfavorable foreign exchange impacts, partially offset by manufacturing cost savings projects. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased due to reduced marketing spending and overhead costs, driven by productivity savings and the impacts from adoption of the new accounting standard on "Revenue from Contracts with Customers."

Corporate

Corporate includes certain operating and non-operating activities not allocated to specific business segments. These include: the incidental businesses managed at the corporate level; financing and investing activities; certain employee benefit costs; other general corporate items; the gains and losses related to certain divested brands and categories; certain restructuring-type activities to maintain a competitive cost structure, including manufacturing and workforce optimization. Corporate also includes reconciling items to adjust the accounting policies used in the segments to U.S. GAAP. The most significant reconciling item includes income taxes to adjust from blended statutory rates that are reflected in the segments to the overall Company effective tax rate.

Corporate net sales increased $2 million to $ 129 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 and increased $10 million to $245 million for the fiscal year to date. Corporate net earnings increased $262 million in the quarter primarily due to a reduction in income tax expense of $446 million, partially offset by the impact of minor brand divestiture gains in the base period and higher unallocated SG&A costs in the current year. The reduction in income tax expense was driven by the base period charges for the transitional impacts of the U.S. Tax Act, partially offset by the impact of the allocation methodology of the lower U.S. tax rates (in the prior year the net benefit was held in Corporate, whereas the lower rates are included in the reporting segments in the current year). Fiscal year to date Corporate net earnings increased $268 million due to a $270 million reduction in income tax expense (driven by the same factors impacting the quarter ended December 31, 2018) and higher current year divestiture gains (driven by the current year gain on the dissolution of the PGT healthcare partnership), partially offset by higher current year foreign exchange transactional charges (discussed earlier in the Results of Operations section) and higher unallocated SG&A costs in the current year.

Restructuring Program to deliver Productivity and Cost Savings

In 2012, the Company initiated a productivity and cost savings plan to reduce costs and better leverage scale in the areas of supply chain, research and development, marketing and overheads. The plan was designed to accelerate cost reductions by streamlining management decision making, manufacturing and other work processes to fund the Company's growth strategy. In 2017, the Company communicated specific elements of an additional multi-year productivity and cost savings program.

The current productivity and cost savings plan will further reduce costs in the areas of supply chain, certain marketing activities and overhead expenses. As part of this plan, the Company incurred $1.1 billion in total before-tax restructuring costs in fiscal 2018, with an additional amount of approximately $0.8 billion expected in fiscal 2019. This program is expected to result in additional enrollment reductions, along with further optimization of the supply chain and other manufacturing processes. Consistent with our historical policies for ongoing restructuring-type activities, the resulting charges are funded by and included within Corporate for segment reporting.

In addition to our restructuring programs, we have additional ongoing savings efforts in our supply chain, marketing and overhead areas that yield additional benefits to our operating margins.

Refer to Note 9 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more details on the restructuring program.

LIQUIDITY & CAPITAL RESOURCES

Operating Activities

We generated $7.6 billion of cash from operating activities fiscal year to date, an increase of approximately $0.3 billion versus the prior year. Net earnings, adjusted for non-cash items (depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, deferred income taxes, and gain on sale of assets), generated $7.6 billion of operating cash flow. Working capital and other impacts had no net impact on operating cash flow in the period. Accounts receivable increased, using $398 million of cash due to sales growth and to a lesser extent, the timing of collections at quarter-end due to the holidays. Inventory consumed $531 million of cash primarily due to product initiatives and business growth. Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities increased, generating $1.1 billion of cash primarily driven by an increase in payables to support the increase in inventory, increased marketing accruals based on timing of spending and extended payment terms with our suppliers. All other operating assets and liabilities used $370 million of cash, driven primarily by payments of the current year portion of taxes due related to the U.S. Tax Act.

Investing Activities

Cash used by investing activities was $4.7 billion fiscal year to date. Capital expenditures were $1.8 billion , or 5.2% of net sales. Acquisition activity used $3.8 billion of cash, primarily related to the Merck OTC acquisition. We used $158 million for purchases of short-term investments. These uses were partially offset by $1.1 billion of cash generated from sales and maturities of short-term investments.

Financing Activities

Our financing activities consumed net cash of $1.6 billion fiscal year to date. We used $2.0 billion for treasury stock purchases and $3.7 billion for dividends. Cash generated from the net effect of debt issuances and payments was $2.6 billion . Cash from the exercise of stock options and other impacts generated $1.5 billion of cash.

As of December 31, 2018 , our current liabilities exceeded current assets by $6.8 billion . We have short- and long-term debt to meet our financing needs. We anticipate being able to support our short-term liquidity and operating needs largely through cash generated from operations. We have strong short- and long-term debt ratings that have enabled and should continue to enable us to refinance our debt as it becomes due at favorable rates in commercial paper and bond markets. In addition, we have agreements with a diverse group of financial institutions that, if needed, should provide sufficient credit funding to meet short-term financing requirements.

RECONCILIATION OF MEASURES NOT DEFINED BY U.S. GAAP

In accordance with the SEC's Regulation G, the following provides definitions of the non-GAAP measures and the reconciliation to the most closely related GAAP measures. We believe that these measures provide useful perspective on underlying business results and trends (i.e., trends excluding non-recurring or unusual items) and provide a supplemental measure of year-on-year results. The non-GAAP measures described below are used by management in making operating decisions, allocating financial resources and for business strategy purposes. These measures may be useful to investors as they provide supplemental information about business performance and provide investors a view of our business results through the eyes of management. These measures are also used to evaluate senior management and are a factor in determining their at-risk compensation. These non-GAAP measures are not intended to be considered by the user in place of the related GAAP measure, but rather as supplemental information to our business results. These non-GAAP measures may not be the same as similar measures used by other companies due to possible differences in method and in the items or events being adjusted.

Organic sales growth : Organic sales growth is a non-GAAP measure of sales growth excluding the impacts of acquisitions and divestitures, the impact from the July 1, 2018 adoption of new accounting standards for "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" and foreign exchange from year-over-year comparisons. The impact of the adoption of the new accounting standard for Revenue from Contracts with Customers is driven by the prospective reclassification of certain customer spending from marketing (SG&A) expense to a reduction of Net sales. We believe this measure provides investors with a supplemental understanding of underlying sales trends by providing sales growth on a consistent basis. This measure is used in assessing achievement of management goals for at-risk compensation.

Adjusted free cash flow : Adjusted free cash flow is defined as operating cash flow less capital spending and excluding payments for the transitional tax resulting from the comprehensive U.S. legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017 (the U.S. Tax Act). Adjusted free cash flow represents the cash that the Company is able to generate after taking into account planned maintenance and asset expansion. Management views adjusted free cash flow as an important measure because it is one factor used in determining the amount of cash available for dividends, share repurchases, acquisitions and other discretionary investments.

Adjusted free cash flow productivity : Adjusted free cash flow productivity is defined as the ratio of adjusted free cash flow to net earnings excluding the gain on dissolution of the PGT Healthcare partnership, which is non-recurring and not considered indicative of underlying cash flow performance. Management views adjusted free cash flow productivity as a useful measure to help investors understand P&G’s ability to generate cash. Adjusted free cash flow productivity is used by management in making operating decisions, allocating financial resources and for budget planning purposes. This measure is also used in assessing the achievement of management goals for at-risk compensation. The Company's long-term target is to generate annual adjusted free cash flow productivity at or above 90 percent.

Core EPS : Core earnings per share, or Core EPS, is a measure of the Company's diluted net earnings per share adjusted as indicated. Management views this non-GAAP measure as a useful supplemental measure of Company performance over time. This measure is also used when evaluating senior management in determining their at-risk compensation.

The Core earnings measures included in the following reconciliation tables refer to the equivalent GAAP measures adjusted as applicable for the following items:

Incremental Restructuring : The Company has had and continues to have an ongoing level of restructuring activities. Such activities have resulted in ongoing annual restructuring related charges of approximately $250 - $500 million before tax. In 2012, the Company began a $10 billion strategic productivity and cost savings initiative that included incremental restructuring activities. In 2017, we communicated details of an additional multi-year productivity and cost savings plan. This results in incremental restructuring charges to accelerate productivity efforts and cost savings. The adjustment to Core earnings includes only the restructuring costs above what we believe are the normal recurring level of restructuring costs.

Transitional Impact of U.S. Tax Reform : As discussed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) in December 2017. This resulted in a net charge of $628 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, comprised of an estimated repatriation tax charge of $3.8 billion and a net deferred tax benefit of $3.2 billion. The adjustment to core earnings only includes this transitional impact. It does not include the ongoing impacts of the lower U.S. statutory rate on current year earnings.

Gain on Dissolution of PGT Healthcare Partnership: The Company finalized the dissolution of our PGT Healthcare partnership, a venture between the Company and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd. (Teva) in the OTC consumer healthcare business, in the quarter ended September 30, 2018. The transaction was accounted for as a sale of the Teva portion of the PGT business; the Company recognized an after-tax gain on the dissolution of $353 million.

We do not view the above items to be part of our sustainable results and their exclusion from Core earnings measures provides a more comparable measure of year-on-year results. These items are also excluded when evaluating senior management in determining their at-risk compensation.

Organic sales growth :

Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 Net Sales Growth Foreign Exchange Impact Acquisition & Divestiture Impact/Other (1) Organic Sales Growth
Beauty 4% 4% —% 8%
Grooming (9)% 5% 1% (3)%
Health Care —% 3% 2% 5%
Fabric & Home Care 2% 3% 1% 6%
Baby, Feminine & Family Care (1)% 4% —% 3%
Total Company —% 4% —% 4%
Six Months Ended December 31, 2018 Net Sales Growth Foreign Exchange Impact Acquisition & Divestiture Impact/Other (1) Organic Sales Growth
Beauty 4% 4% —% 8%
Grooming (5)% 5% —% —%
Health Care (1)% 2% 4% 5%
Fabric & Home Care 2% 2% 1% 5%
Baby, Feminine & Family Care (2)% 3% —% 1%
Total Company —% 3% 1% 4%

(1) Acquisition & Divestiture Impact/Other includes the volume and mix impact of acquisitions and divestitures, the impact from the July 1, 2018 adoption of new accounting standards for "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" and rounding impacts necessary to reconcile net sales to organic sales.

Adjusted free cash flow (dollar amounts in millions) :

Fiscal Year-to-Date, December 31, 2018 — Operating Cash Flow Capital Spending U.S. Tax Act Payments Adjusted Free Cash Flow
$7,574 $(1,781) $235 $6,028

Adjusted free cash flow productivity (dollar amounts in millions) :

Fiscal Year-to-Date, December 31, 2018 — Adjusted Free Cash Flow Net Earnings Gain on Dissolution of PGT Partnership Adjusted Net Earnings Adjusted Free Cash Flow Productivity
$6,028 $6,427 $(353) $6,074 99%
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES (Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts) Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
Three Months Ended December 31, 2018
AS REPORTED (GAAP) INCREMENTAL RESTRUCTURING ROUNDING NON-GAAP (CORE)
COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD $ 8,919 $ (123 ) $ — $ 8,796
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE 4,623 38 (1 ) 4,660
OPERATING INCOME 3,896 85 1 3,982
INCOME TAX 700 17 (2 ) 715
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO P&G 3,194 77 1 3,272
Core EPS
DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (1) $ 1.22 $ 0.03 $ — $ 1.25

(1) Diluted net earnings per share are calculated on Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble.

CHANGE VERSUS YEAR AGO
CORE EPS 5 %
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES (Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts) Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
AS REPORTED (GAAP) INCREMENTAL RESTRUCTURING TRANSITIONAL IMPACTS OF U.S. TAX REFORM ROUNDING NON-GAAP (CORE)
COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD $ 8,709 $ (86 ) $ — $ 1 $ 8,624
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE 4,767 19 (1 ) 4,785
OPERATING INCOME 3,919 67 3,986
INCOME TAX 1,472 21 (628 ) 865
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO P&G 2,495 51 628 3,174
Core EPS
DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (1) $ 0.93 $ 0.02 $ 0.24 $ — $ 1.19

(1) Diluted net earnings per share are calculated on Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES (Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts) Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
Six Months Ended December 31, 2018
AS REPORTED (GAAP) INCREMENTAL RESTRUCTURING GAIN ON DISSOLUTION OF PGT PARTNERSHIP ROUNDING NON-GAAP (CORE)
COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD $ 17,403 $ (169 ) $ — $ — $ 17,234
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE 9,275 10 9,285
OPERATING INCOME 7,450 159 7,609
INCOME TAX 1,429 23 (2 ) (1 ) 1,449
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO P&G 6,393 146 (353 ) 1 6,187
Core EPS:
DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (1) $ 2.44 $ 0.06 $ (0.14 ) $ — $ 2.36

(1) Diluted net earnings per share are calculated on Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble.

CHANGE VERSUS YEAR AGO
CORE EPS 4 %
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES (Amounts in Millions Except Per Share Amounts) Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
Six Months Ended December 31, 2017
AS REPORTED (GAAP) INCREMENTAL RESTRUCTURING TRANSITIONAL IMPACTS OF U.S. TAX REFORM ROUNDING NON-GAAP (CORE)
COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD $ 16,978 $ (186 ) $ — $ 1 $ 16,793
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE 9,503 26 (1 ) 9,528
OPERATING INCOME 7,567 160 7,727
INCOME TAX 2,353 41 (628 ) 1,766
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO P&G 5,348 126 628 6,102
Core EPS:
DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (1) $ 2.00 $ 0.05 $ 0.23 $ — $ 2.28

(1) Diluted net earnings per share are calculated on Net earnings attributable to Procter & Gamble.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in the Company’s exposure to market risk since June 30, 2018 . Additional information can be found in Note 7 - Risk Management Activities and Fair Value Measurements of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, David S. Taylor, and the Company’s Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Jon R. Moeller, performed an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Messrs. Taylor and Moeller have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including Messrs. Taylor and Moeller, to allow their timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject, from time to time, to certain legal proceedings and claims arising out of our business, which cover a wide range of matters, including antitrust and trade regulation, product liability, advertising, contracts, environmental issues, patent and trademark matters, labor and employment matters, and tax.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

For information on risk factors, please refer to “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2018.

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

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Period Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) Average Price Paid per Share (2) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (3) Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under Our Share Repurchase Program
10/01/2018 - 10/31/2018 5,384,600 $83.57 5,384,600 (3)
11/01/2018 - 11/30/2018 3,259,875 $92.03 3,259,875 (3)
12/01/2018 - 12/31/2018 (3)
Total 8,644,475 $86.76 8,644,475

(1) All transactions were made in the open market with large financial institutions. This table excludes shares withheld from employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding requirements on option exercises and other equity-based transactions. The Company administers cashless exercises through an independent third party and does not repurchase stock in connection with cashless exercises.

(2) Average price paid per share for open market transactions is calculated on a settlement basis and excludes commission.

(3) On January 23, 2019, the Company stated that in fiscal year 2019 the Company expects to reduce outstanding shares through direct share repurchases at a value of up to $5 billion, notwithstanding any purchases under the Company's compensation and benefit plans. Purchases may be made in the open market and/or private transactions and purchases may be increased, decreased or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The share repurchases are authorized pursuant to a resolution issued by the Company's Board of Directors and are expected to be financed by a combination of operating cash flows and issuance of long-term and short-term debt.

ITEM 6. Exhibits

3-1 Amended Articles of Incorporation (as amended by shareholders at the annual meeting on October 11, 2011 and consolidated by the Board of Directors on April 8, 2016) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3-1) of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2016)
3-2 Regulations (as approved by the Board of Directors on April 8, 2016, pursuant to authority granted by shareholders at the annual meeting on October 13, 2009) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3-2) of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2016)
4-1 Indenture, dated as of September 3, 2009, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4-1) of the Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2015)
10-1 The Procter & Gamble Performance Stock Program Summary * +
10-2 Summary of the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Program * +
10-3 Company’s Form of Separation Agreement and Release * +
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification – Chief Executive Officer +
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification – Chief Financial Officer +
32.1 Section 1350 Certifications – Chief Executive Officer +
32.2 Section 1350 Certifications – Chief Financial Officer +
101.INS (1) XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH (1) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL (1) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF (1) XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB (1) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE (1) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
* Compensatory plan or arrangement
+ Filed herewith
(1) Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

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.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
January 23, 2019 /s/ VALARIE L. SHEPPARD
Date (Valarie L. Sheppard)
Senior Vice President, Comptroller and Treasurer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
3-1 Amended Articles of Incorporation (as amended by shareholders at the annual meeting on October 11, 2011 and consolidated by the Board of Directors on April 8, 2016) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3-1) of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2016)
3-2 Regulations (as approved by the Board of Directors on April 8, 2016, pursuant to authority granted by shareholders at the annual meeting on October 13, 2009) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3-2) of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2016)
4-1 Indenture, dated as of September 3, 2009, between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4-1) of the Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2015)
10-1 The Procter & Gamble Performance Stock Program Summary +
10-2 Summary of the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Program +
10-3 Company's Form of Separation Agreement and Release +
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification – Chief Executive Officer +
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification – Chief Financial Officer +
32.1 Section 1350 Certifications – Chief Executive Officer +
32.2 Section 1350 Certifications – Chief Financial Officer +
101.INS (1) XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH (1) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL (1) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF (1) XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB (1) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE (1) XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
+ Filed herewith
(1) Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.