We are subject to market risks, including the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and interest rates. We use derivatives to help manage financial exposures that occur in the normal course of business. We formally document the purpose of each derivative contract, which includes linking the contract to the financial exposure it is designed to mitigate. We do not hold or issue derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

We use currency derivative contracts to limit our exposure to the foreign currency exchange risk that we cannot mitigate internally by using netting strategies. We designate most of these contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions (expected to occur within three years). We record all changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) until the underlying hedged transaction occurs, when we reclassify that amount into earnings.

Some of our currency derivatives are not designated as hedges because we use them to partially offset the immediate earnings impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on existing assets or liabilities. We immediately recognize the change in fair value of these contracts in earnings.

We had outstanding currency derivatives, related primarily to our euro, British pound, and Australian dollar exposures, with notional amounts for all hedged currencies totaling $566 and $463 at April 30, 2024 and 2025, respectively. The maximum term of outstanding derivative contracts was 24 months at both April 30, 2024 and 2025.

We also use foreign currency-denominated debt to help manage our foreign currency exchange risk. We designate a portion of those debt instruments as net investment hedges, which are intended to mitigate foreign currency exposure related to non-U.S. dollar net investments in certain foreign subsidiaries. Any change in value of the designated portion of the hedging instruments is recorded in AOCI, offsetting the foreign currency translation adjustment of the related net investments that is also recorded in AOCI. The amount of foreign currency-denominated debt designated as net investment hedges was $497 and $531 as of April 30, 2024 and 2025, respectively.

At inception, we expect each financial instrument designated as a hedge to be highly effective in offsetting the financial exposure it is designed to mitigate, and we assess hedge effectiveness continually. If we determine that any financial instruments designated as hedges are no longer highly effective, we discontinue hedge accounting for those instruments.

We use forward purchase contracts with suppliers to protect against corn price volatility. We expect to take physical delivery of the corn underlying each contract and use it for production over a reasonable period of time. Accordingly, we account for these contracts as normal purchases rather than as derivative instruments.

The following table presents the pre-tax impact that changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments and non-derivative hedging instruments had on AOCI and earnings during each of the last three years:


	Classification in Statement of Operations	2023		2024		2025

Currency derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Net gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	n/a	$	4	$	11	$	(9)
Net gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into earnings	Sales	37		12		10

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Net gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	n/a	(1)		—		—






Currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Net gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Sales	(1)		—		2
Net gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Other income (expense), net	16		8		(4)


Foreign currency-denominated debt designated as net investment hedge:
Net gain (loss) recognized in AOCI	n/a	3		3		(32)
Net gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to earnings	Gain on business divestitures	—		26		—



Total amounts presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for line items affected by the net gains (losses) shown above:
Sales		5,372		5,328		5,056
Gain on business divestitures		—		267		—
Other income (expense), net		(119)		(24)		52

We expect to reclassify $8 of deferred net losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI as of April 30, 2025, to earnings during fiscal 2026. This reclassification would offset the anticipated earnings impact of the underlying hedged exposures. The actual amounts that we ultimately reclassify to earnings will depend on the exchange rates in effect when the underlying hedged transactions occur.


	Balance Sheet Classification	Derivative Assets		Derivative Liabilities
April 30, 2024
Designated as cash flow hedges:
Currency derivatives	Other current assets	$	11	$	(2)
Currency derivatives	Other assets	1		(1)





Not designated as hedges:



Currency derivatives	Accrued expenses	—		(1)

April 30, 2025
Designated as cash flow hedges:


Currency derivatives	Accrued expenses	2		(11)
Currency derivatives	Other liabilities	—		(3)



Not designated as hedges:

Currency derivatives	Other current assets	2		—

The fair values reflected in the above table are presented on a gross basis. However, as discussed further below, the fair values of those instruments subject to net settlement agreements are presented on a net basis in our balance sheets.

Credit risk. We are exposed to credit-related losses if the counterparties to our derivative contracts default. This credit risk is limited to the fair value of the contracts. To manage this risk, we contract only with major financial institutions that have earned investment-grade credit ratings and with whom we have standard International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) agreements that allow for net settlement of the derivative contracts. Also, we have established counterparty credit guidelines that we monitor regularly. Based on our most recent assessment, we consider our counterparty credit risk to be low.

Our derivative instruments require us to maintain a specific level of creditworthiness, which we have maintained. If our creditworthiness were to fall below that level, then the counterparties to our derivative instruments could request immediate payment or collateralization for derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value of all derivatives with creditworthiness requirements that were in a net liability position was $1 and $12 at April 30, 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Offsetting. As noted above, our derivative contracts are governed by ISDA agreements that allow for net settlement of derivative contracts with the same counterparty. It is our policy to present the fair values of current derivatives (that is, those with a remaining term of 12 months or less) with the same counterparty on a net basis in our balance sheets. Similarly, we present the fair values of noncurrent derivatives with the same counterparty on a net basis. We do not net current derivatives with noncurrent derivatives in our balance sheets.


	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)		Gross Amounts Offset in Balance Sheet		Net Amounts Presented in Balance Sheet		Gross Amounts Not Offset in Balance Sheet		Net Amounts
April 30, 2024
Derivative assets	$	12	$	(3)	$	9	$	—	$	9
Derivative liabilities	(4)		3		(1)		—		(1)
April 30, 2025
Derivative assets	4		(2)		2		—		2
Derivative liabilities	(14)		2		(12)		—		(12)