v3.26.3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2026
Jul. 31, 2025
Jul. 31, 2024
Operating Activities      
Net earnings $ 453.8 $ 367.0 $ 414.0
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization 106.0 99.5 98.4
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of distributions (8.0) (3.6) (4.7)
Deferred income taxes (0.3) (24.0) (24.3)
Stock-based compensation expense 24.7 24.0 22.0
Loss on impairment of intangible assets 0.0 62.0 0.0
Gain on sale of fixed assets (9.3) (1.2) 0.0
Other, net 9.8 (4.7) 3.7
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding effect of acquired businesses:      
Accounts receivable, net (75.1) (21.4) (39.4)
Inventories, net 0.8 (32.2) (65.6)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (12.5) 6.3 (28.3)
Accounts payable (2.0) (5.5) 80.3
Income taxes payable (25.7) (34.4) 4.4
Accrued employee compensation and related taxes and other current liabilities 31.5 (13.0) 32.0
Net cash provided by operating activities 493.7 418.8 492.5
Investing Activities      
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (67.4) (78.9) (85.6)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 10.5 2.1 0.7
Equity investment 0.0 (71.2) 0.0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (822.6) (2.4) (2.0)
Net cash used in investing activities (879.5) (150.4) (86.9)
Financing Activities      
Proceeds from long-term debt 858.9 388.1 119.7
Repayments of long-term debt (216.2) (265.0) (228.8)
Change in short-term borrowings 13.7 1.2 (5.7)
Purchase of treasury stock (111.2) (331.5) (162.7)
Payment of contingent consideration (2.3) (5.5) (1.7)
Dividends paid (141.2) (131.9) (122.8)
Tax withholding for stock compensation transactions (6.0) (5.7) (8.0)
Exercise of stock options 55.9 28.6 54.1
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 451.6 (321.7) (355.9)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 4.2 1.0 (4.1)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 70.0 (52.3) 45.6
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 180.4 232.7 187.1
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year 250.4 180.4 232.7
Supplemental Cash Flow Information      
Income taxes paid 160.9 176.2 147.8
Interest paid 33.1 22.2 23.4
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Operating and Investing Transactions      
Accrued property, plant and equipment additions 10.0 10.7 14.2
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 22.2 $ 24.0 $ 22.7