v3.26.3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2026
Aug. 31, 2025
Aug. 31, 2024
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:      
Net earnings $ 655,849 $ 84,662 $ 485,491
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization 395,921 285,877 280,367
Stock-based compensation 43,932 37,053 45,066
Write-off of committed financing fees 11,563 0 0
Deferred income taxes and other long-term taxes 158,351 (98,304) (15,319)
Write-down of inventory 333 2,473 5,098
Unrealized loss (gain) on undesignated commodity hedges 7,871 (2,804) (1,962)
Unrealized loss (gain) on undesignated commodity hedges 5,091 (5,453) 797
Amortization of debt issuance costs 4,812 1,529 2,352
Asset impairments 21 4,607 6,708
Net loss (gain) on sales of assets (741) 1,827 3,321
Other 2,110 5,568 404
Litigation expense 15,356 362,272 0
Settlement of New Markets Tax Credit transactions 0 (2,786) (6,748)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:      
Accounts receivable (155,031) (41,179) 76,543
Inventories (101,964) 42,590 61,777
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables 236,099 49,836 (22,326)
Income tax payable (receivable) (130,758) 12,558 (840)
Other operating assets and liabilities (89,852) (25,256) (21,021)
Net cash flows from operating activities 1,058,963 715,070 899,708
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:      
Capital expenditures (579,844) (402,821) (324,271)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (2,516,424) 0 3,028
Proceeds from government assistance related to property, plant and equipment 15,000 50,000 0
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment 11,250 5,758 756
Proceeds from insurance 9,602 2,237 0
Other (1,698) (1,946) (2,515)
Net cash flows used by investing activities (3,062,114) (346,772) (323,002)
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:      
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net 1,985,000 147,724 0
Repayments of long-term debt (47,689) (41,480) (36,346)
Debt issuance costs (8,489) (622) 0
Committed financing fees (11,563) 0 0
Proceeds from accounts receivable facilities 173,257 35,979 175,322
Repayments under accounts receivable facilities (164,328) (35,979) (183,347)
Treasury stock acquired (102,811) (198,822) (182,932)
Tax withholdings related to share settlements, net of purchase plans (3,111) (8,823) (7,595)
Dividends (84,249) (81,433) (78,868)
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests 14 12 7
Net cash flows from (used by) financing activities 1,736,031 (183,444) (313,759)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 66 1,495 891
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (267,054) 186,349 263,838
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,045,904 859,555 595,717
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period 778,850 1,045,904 859,555
Supplemental information:      
Cash paid for income taxes 42,955 116,161 158,455
Cash paid for interest 118,556 51,078 49,463
Noncash activities:      
Liabilities related to additions of property, plant and equipment 77,161 36,898 35,203
Cash and cash equivalents 775,676 1,043,252 857,922
Restricted cash $ 3,174 $ 2,652 $ 1,633