Financial Performance - For fiscal 2024, the company reported net sales of 4.2billion,adecreaseof11.4 billion (-2% organic), while diluted earnings per share rose by 32% to 2.14[17].−Inthefourthquarter,reportednetsalesdecreased81.0 billion (-5% organic), with operating income increasing 26% to 375million(−160.56[18]. - Reported net sales change was (1%) for the 12 months ended April 30, 2024, with organic change at (1%)[63]. - Operating income reported a change of 26% for the 3 months ended April 30, 2024, and 25% for the 12 months[63]. - Net sales for 2023 were 1,046million,adecreaseof8964 million in 2024[82]. - Gross profit for 2023 was 635million,down10569 million in 2024[82]. - Operating income increased by 26% to 298millionin2023,comparedto375 million in 2024[82]. - Net income for 2023 was 207million,reflectinga29266 million in 2024[82]. - Earnings per share (EPS) for 2023 were 0.43,a310.56 in 2024[82]. Shareholder Returns - The company returned 804milliontostockholders,including404 million in dividends and 400millionthroughsharerepurchases[21].−Cashdividendspaidpercommonshareincreasedfrom0.2055 in 2023 to 0.2178in2024[82].SalesandProductPerformance−ReportednetsalesfortheTequilaportfoliodecreased430.0 million, reflecting an 11% decrease year-over-year[88]. - The Ready-to-Drink category saw depletions of 21.0 million cases, down 3% from the previous year[88]. - Tequila depletions were 2.3 million cases, representing an 11% decline compared to the prior year[88]. - Organic sales growth for the New Mix brand was 4%, with net sales increasing by 32%[88]. - The company reported a 61% increase in net sales for non-branded and bulk products[88]. Inventory and Operating Activities - Cash provided by operating activities was 640million,adecreasefrom647 million[60]. - The company experienced a (4%) change in net sales in the United States, with organic change also at (4%) for the same period[66]. - The company reported a (6%) estimated net change in distributor inventories for the emerging market segment[68]. - The company noted a (12%) change in estimated net change in distributor inventories for the emerging market segment[68]. - Estimated net change in distributor inventories indicates a potential increase in organic trends as distributors rebuild inventories[110]. Acquisitions and Divestitures - The acquisition of Gin Mare Brand, S.L.U. was completed during the third quarter of fiscal 2023, impacting financial results[71]. - A pre-tax gain of 92millionwasrealizedfromthesaleoftheFinlandiavodkabusinessduringthethirdquarteroffiscal2024[72].−ThedivestituresofFinlandiaandSonoma−Cutrerresultedinagainof267 million[43]. - The divestiture of the Sonoma-Cutrer wine business resulted in a pre-tax gain of 175million[95].−Thecompanyacquiredseveralbrands,includingDiplomaˊtico,duringthethirdquarteroffiscal2023,impactingfutureperformance[94].FutureOutlook−Thecompanyanticipatesorganicnetsalesgrowthintherangeof2195 million and 205millionforfiscal2025[53].AssetsandLiabilities−Totalassetsincreasedfrom7,777 million in April 2023 to 8,166millioninApril2024[84].−Cashandcashequivalentsrosefrom374 million in April 2023 to 446millioninApril2024[84].−Totalliabilitiesincreasedfrom4,509 million in April 2023 to 4,649millioninApril2024[84].−Thecompanyreportedanetincreaseincashprovidedbyfinancingactivitiesof239 million in 2023, with a decrease of 618millionin2024[86].OperatingExpenses−Reportedgrossprofitincreasedby123 million to the Brown-Forman Foundation, affecting organic operating income[112].