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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number 1-6544
SYSCO CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  74-1648137
(IRS employer
identification number)
1390 Enclave Parkway
Houston, Texas 77077-2099
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (281) 584-1390
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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer þ      Accelerated Filer o       Non-accelerated Filer o
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
617,956,215 shares of common stock were outstanding as of April 28, 2007.
 
 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
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 First Amendment to 2004 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan
 Report from Ernst & Young LLP
 Acknowledgment Letter from Ernst & Young LLP
 Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302
 Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302
 Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 906
 Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 906


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1

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
SYSCO CORPORATION and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands Except for Share Data)
                         
    Mar. 31, 2007     July 1, 2006     Apr. 1, 2006  
    (unaudited)             (unaudited)  
ASSETS
                       
Current assets
                       
Cash
  $ 180,943     $ 201,897     $ 205,605  
Accounts and notes receivable, less allowances of $60,105, $29,100 and $62,012
    2,634,273       2,483,720       2,467,308  
Inventories
    1,693,084       1,608,233       1,601,250  
Prepaid expenses
    66,939       59,154       72,049  
Prepaid income taxes
          46,690        
 
                 
Total current assets
    4,575,239       4,399,694       4,346,212  
Plant and equipment at cost, less depreciation
    2,649,708       2,464,900       2,399,345  
Other assets
                       
Goodwill
    1,329,745       1,302,591       1,292,527  
Intangibles, less amortization
    89,977       95,651       97,733  
Restricted cash
    101,105       102,274       103,301  
Prepaid pension cost
    423,607       388,650       408,183  
Other assets
    257,940       238,265       236,787  
 
                 
Total other assets
    2,202,374       2,127,431       2,138,531  
 
                 
Total assets
  $ 9,427,321     $ 8,992,025     $ 8,884,088  
 
                 
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Current liabilities
                       
Notes payable
  $ 10,500     $ 29,300     $ 12,000  
Accounts payable
    1,982,126       1,891,357       1,839,477  
Accrued expenses
    810,216       745,781       736,798  
Income taxes
    119,919             47,647  
Deferred taxes
    357,629       453,700       346,980  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    104,882       106,265       208,570  
 
                 
Total current liabilities
    3,385,272       3,226,403       3,191,472  
Other liabilities
                       
Long-term debt
    1,633,091       1,627,127       1,787,155  
Deferred taxes
    688,239       723,349       692,176  
Other long-term liabilities
    385,198       362,862       413,455  
 
                 
Total other liabilities
    2,706,528       2,713,338       2,892,786  
Commitments and contingencies
                       
Shareholders’ equity
                       
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share Authorized 1,500,000 shares, issued none
                 
Common stock, par value $1 per share Authorized 2,000,000,000 shares, issued 765,174,900 shares
    765,175       765,175       765,175  
Paid-in capital
    618,087       525,684       498,322  
Retained earnings
    5,357,045       4,999,440       4,849,518  
Other comprehensive income
    67,441       84,618       19,870  
 
                 
 
    6,807,748       6,374,917       6,132,885  
 
                       
Less cost of treasury stock, 148,014,133, 146,279,320 and 146,967,829 shares
    3,472,227       3,322,633       3,333,055  
 
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    3,335,521       3,052,284       2,799,830  
 
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 9,427,321     $ 8,992,025     $ 8,884,088  
 
                 
Note: The July 1, 2006 balance sheet has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


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SYSCO CORPORATION and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
(In Thousands Except for Share and Per Share Data)
                                 
    39-Week Period Ended     13-Week Period Ended  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006     Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
Sales
  $ 25,813,781     $ 24,119,361     $ 8,572,961     $ 8,137,816  
 
                               
Costs and expenses Cost of sales
    20,856,982       19,517,648       6,938,867       6,602,102  
Operating expenses
    3,757,800       3,541,395       1,249,951       1,193,270  
Interest expense
    79,472       80,914       25,700       29,441  
Other, net
    (14,949 )     (6,154 )     (2,536 )     (819 )
 
                       
Total costs and expenses
    24,679,305       23,133,803       8,211,982       7,823,994  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
    1,134,476       985,558       360,979       313,822  
Income taxes
    436,791       393,627       139,980       125,283  
 
                       
Earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change
    697,685       591,931       220,999       188,539  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
          9,285              
 
                       
Net earnings
  $ 697,685     $ 601,216     $ 220,999     $ 188,539  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change:
                               
Basic earnings per share
  $ 1.13     $ 0.95     $ 0.36     $ 0.30  
Diluted earnings per share
    1.11       0.94       0.35       0.30  
 
                               
Net earnings:
                               
Basic earnings per share
    1.13       0.97       0.36       0.30  
Diluted earnings per share
    1.11       0.95       0.35       0.30  
 
                               
Average shares outstanding
    618,988,223       621,995,157       617,678,739       618,973,143  
Diluted shares outstanding
    626,507,744       629,661,119       625,750,925       625,101,592  
 
                               
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.55     $ 0.49     $ 0.19     $ 0.17  
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


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SYSCO CORPORATION and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)
(In Thousands)
                                 
    39-Week Period Ended     13-Week Period Ended  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006     Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
Net earnings
  $ 697,685     $ 601,216     $ 220,999     $ 188,539  
 
                               
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (17,497 )     26,257       5,191       (2,217 )
Change in fair value of forward-starting interest rate swap
          7,064              
Amortization of cash flow hedge
    320       226       107       107  
 
                       
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
    (17,177 )     33,547       5,298       (2,110 )
 
                       
 
                               
Comprehensive income
  $ 680,508     $ 634,763     $ 226,297     $ 186,429  
 
                       
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


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SYSCO CORPORATION and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
(In Thousands)
                 
    39-Week Period Ended  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
Operating activities:
               
Net earnings
  $ 697,685     $ 601,216  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Cumulative effect of accounting change
          (9,285 )
Share-based compensation expense
    69,510       101,944  
Depreciation and amortization
    270,236       251,955  
Deferred tax provision
    405,228       365,548  
Provision for losses on receivables
    23,251       22,508  
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
    (5,791 )     908  
Additional investment in certain assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses acquired:
               
(Increase) in receivables
    (170,145 )     (158,778 )
(Increase) in inventories
    (86,722 )     (118,535 )
(Increase) in prepaid expenses
    (7,933 )     (11,333 )
Increase in accounts payable
    101,707       11,452  
Increase in accrued expenses
    54,167       15,387  
(Decrease) in accrued income taxes
    (352,399 )     (449,976 )
(Increase) in other assets
    (26,976 )     (18,040 )
(Increase) decrease in prepaid pension cost and other long-term liabilities, net
    (12,621 )     39,724  
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
    (7,032 )     (5,484 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    952,165       639,211  
 
           
 
               
Investing activities:
               
Additions to plant and equipment
    (457,174 )     (363,909 )
Proceeds from sales of plant and equipment
    14,119       13,493  
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (48,534 )     (109,423 )
Increase in restricted cash
    (1,331 )     (1,570 )
 
           
Net cash used for investing activities
    (492,920 )     (461,409 )
 
           
 
               
Financing activities:
               
Bank and commercial paper borrowings (repayments ), net
    (10,235 )     282,460  
Other debt borrowings
    4,480       500,436  
Other debt repayments
    (7,418 )     (209,625 )
Debt issuance costs
    (7 )     (3,998 )
Cash paid for termination of interest rate swap
          (21,196 )
Common stock reissued from treasury
    184,950       104,782  
Treasury stock purchases
    (329,342 )     (527,616 )
Dividends paid
    (328,029 )     (293,535 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
    7,032       5,484  
 
           
Net cash used for financing activities
    (478,569 )     (162,808 )
 
           
 
               
Effect of exchange rates on cash
    (1,630 )     (1,067 )
 
           
 
               
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (20,954 )     13,927  
Cash at beginning of period
    201,897       191,678  
 
           
Cash at end of period
  $ 180,943     $ 205,605  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
  $ 86,733     $ 80,064  
Income taxes
    383,076       472,063  
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


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SYSCO CORPORATION and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
  1.   Basis of Presentation
 
      The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the company, without audit, with the exception of the July 1, 2006 consolidated balance sheet, which was taken from the audited financial statements included in the company’s Fiscal 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The financial statements include consolidated balance sheets, consolidated results of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows. Certain amounts in the prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2007 presentation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for all periods presented, have been made.
 
      These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the company’s Fiscal 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
      A review of the financial information herein has been made by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, in accordance with established professional standards and procedures for such a review. A report from Ernst & Young LLP concerning their review is included as Exhibit 15.1.
 
  2.   Changes in Accounting
 
      EITF 04-13 Adoption
 
      In September 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a consensus on Issue No. 04-13, “Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory With the Same Counterparty,” which requires that two or more inventory transactions with the same counterparty (as defined) should be viewed as a single nonmonetary transaction if the transactions were entered into in contemplation of one another. Exchanges of inventory between entities in the same line of business should be accounted for at fair value or recorded at carrying amounts, depending on the classification of such inventory. This guidance was effective for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 for SYSCO. SYSCO has certain transactions where finished goods are purchased from a customer or sourced by that customer for warehousing and distribution and resold to the same customer. These transactions are evidenced by title transfer and are separately invoiced. Historically, the company has recorded such transactions in the Consolidated Results of Operations for purchases within “Cost of Sales” and sales within “Sales.” In fiscal 2007, the company recorded the net effect of such transactions in the Consolidated Results of Operations within “Sales” by reducing sales and cost of sales in the amount of $253,724,000 for the first 39 weeks and $76,718,000 for the third quarter. Prior to the adoption of EITF 04-13, the amounts included in the Consolidated Results of Operations on a gross basis within “Cost of Sales” for the 39 week and 13 week periods ended April 1, 2006 were $279,746,000 and $87,772,000, respectively. Such amounts were not restated when the new standard was adopted because only prospective treatment was allowed.
 
      Pension Measurement Date Change
 
      Beginning in fiscal 2006, SYSCO changed the measurement date for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans from fiscal year-end to May 31st, which represented a change in accounting. The one-month acceleration of the measurement date allows additional time for management to evaluate and report the actuarial pension measurements in the year-end


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      financial statements and disclosures within the accelerated filing deadlines of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The cumulative effect of this change in accounting was an increase to earnings in the first quarter of fiscal 2006 of $9,285,000, net of tax.
 
  3.   New Accounting Standards
 
      FIN 48
 
      In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109 (SFAS 109). FIN 48 clarifies the application of SFAS 109 by defining criteria that an individual tax position must meet for any part of the benefit of that position to be recognized in the financial statements. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on the measurement, derecognition, classification and disclosure of tax positions, along with accounting for the related interest and penalties. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. SYSCO is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
 
      SFAS 157
 
      In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of SFAS 157.
 
      SFAS 158
 
      In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (SFAS 158). SFAS 158 requires an employer to recognize a plan’s funded status in its statement of financial position, measure a plan’s assets and obligations as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year and recognize the changes in a defined benefit postretirement plan’s funded status in comprehensive income in the year in which the changes occur. SFAS 158’s requirement to recognize the funded status of a benefit plan and new disclosure requirements are effective as of the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statement of financial position is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. The company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 158 will have on its consolidated financial statements. The effect of adoption at June 30, 2007, SYSCO’s adoption date, or any other future date, cannot be determined, since the impact is dependent upon on the measurements of each plan’s assets and obligations at such date. However, if this standard had been applied at July 1, 2006, the result would have been an increase in current liabilities of approximately $10,000,000, an increase in other long-term liabilities of approximately $145,000,000, a decrease in prepaid pension cost of approximately $160,000,000, a decrease in deferred taxes of approximately $120,000,000 and a decrease in shareholders’ equity of approximately $195,000,000.


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      SFAS 159
 
      In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities” (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
 
  4.   Restricted Cash
 
      SYSCO is required by its insurers to collateralize a part of the self-insured portion of its workers’ compensation and liability claims. SYSCO has chosen to satisfy these collateral requirements by depositing funds in insurance trusts.
 
      In addition, for certain acquisitions, SYSCO has placed funds into escrow to be disbursed to the sellers in the event that specified operating results are attained or contingencies are resolved. During the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007, $4,000,000 was placed into escrow related to a new acquisition, and escrowed funds in the amount of $2,500,000 were released to sellers of acquired businesses. In addition, escrowed funds of $12,121,000 were released from escrow related to an acquisition for which the contingent consideration period expired without the additional consideration being earned.
 
      A summary of restricted cash balances appears below:
                         
    Mar. 31, 2007     July 1, 2006     Apr. 1, 2006  
Funds deposited in insurance trusts
  $ 92,105,000     $ 82,653,000     $ 81,980,000  
Escrow funds related to acquisitions
    9,000,000       19,621,000       21,321,000  
 
                 
Total
  $ 101,105,000     $ 102,274,000     $ 103,301,000  
 
                 
  5.   Debt
 
      In September 2006, the termination date on the revolving credit facility supporting the company’s U.S. and Canadian commercial paper programs was extended from November 4, 2010 to November 4, 2011 in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
 
      As of March 31, 2007, SYSCO had uncommitted bank lines of credit which provide for unsecured borrowings for working capital of up to $145,000,000, of which $10,500,000 was outstanding as of March 31, 2007.
 
      As of March 31, 2007, SYSCO’s outstanding commercial paper issuances were $408,133,000 and were classified as long-term debt since the company’s commercial paper programs are supported by its long-term revolving credit facility in the amount of $750,000,000.
 
      During the 39-week period ended March 31, 2007, the aggregate of commercial paper issuances and short-term bank borrowings ranged from approximately $356,804,000 to $703,072,000.


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      Included in current maturities of long-term debt at March 31, 2007 are the 7.25% senior notes due April 2007 totaling $100,000,000. In April 2007, SYSCO repaid these senior notes at maturity utilizing a combination of cash flow from operations and commercial paper issuances.
 
  6.   Employee Benefit Plans
 
      The components of net benefit cost for the 39-week periods presented are as follows:
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Plans  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006     Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
Service cost
  $ 63,492,000     $ 75,021,000     $ 339,000     $ 384,000  
Interest cost
    68,484,000       62,703,000       399,000       354,000  
Expected return on plan assets
    (87,558,000 )     (78,132,000 )            
Amortization of prior service cost
    4,264,000       3,699,000       151,000       151,000  
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)
    7,266,000       34,653,000       (99,000 )     (12,000 )
Amortization of net transition obligation
                114,000       114,000  
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 55,948,000     $ 97,944,000     $ 904,000     $ 991,000  
 
                       
      The components of net benefit cost for the 13-week periods presented are as follows:
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Other Postretirement Plans  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006     Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
Service cost
  $ 21,164,000     $ 25,007,000     $ 113,000     $ 128,000  
Interest cost
    22,828,000       20,901,000       133,000       118,000  
Expected return on plan assets
    (29,186,000 )     (26,044,000 )            
Amortization of prior service cost
    1,421,000       1,233,000       50,000       50,000  
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)
    2,422,000       11,551,000       (33,000 )     (4,000 )
Amortization of net transition obligation
                38,000       38,000  
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 18,649,000     $ 32,648,000     $ 301,000     $ 330,000  
 
                       
      SYSCO’s contributions to its defined benefit plans were $68,168,000 and $71,538,000 during the 39-week periods ended March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006, respectively.
 
      Although contributions to its qualified pension plan (Retirement Plan) are not required to meet ERISA minimum funding requirements, the company anticipates it will make voluntary contributions of approximately $80,000,000 during fiscal 2007 of which $60,000,000 have been made in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007. The company’s contributions to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) and other post-retirement plans are made in the amounts needed to fund current year benefit payments. The estimated fiscal 2007 contributions to fund benefit payments for the SERP and other post-retirement plans are $10,300,000 and $300,000, respectively.


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  7.   Earnings Per Share
 
      The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
                                 
    39-Week Period Ended     13-Week Period Ended  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006     Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
Numerator:
                               
Earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change
  $ 697,685,000     $ 591,931,000     $ 220,999,000     $ 188,539,000  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
          9,285,000              
 
                       
Net earnings
  $ 697,685,000     $ 601,216,000     $ 220,999,000     $ 188,539,000  
 
                       
 
                               
Denominator:
                               
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding
    618,988,223       621,995,157       617,678,739       618,973,143  
Dilutive effect of employee and director stock options
    7,519,521       7,665,962       8,072,186       6,128,449  
 
                       
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding
    626,507,744       629,661,119       625,750,925       625,101,592  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic earnings per share:
                               
Earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change
  $ 1.13     $ 0.95     $ 0.36     $ 0.30  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
          0.02              
 
                       
Net earnings
  $ 1.13     $ 0.97     $ 0.36     $ 0.30  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted earnings per share:
                               
Earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change
  $ 1.11     $ 0.94     $ 0.35     $ 0.30  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
          0.01              
 
                       
Net earnings
  $ 1.11     $ 0.95     $ 0.35     $ 0.30  
 
                       
      The number of options that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive was approximately 22,000,000 and 25,000,000 for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. The number of options that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive was approximately 14,000,000 and 35,000,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
  8.   Share-Based Compensation
 
      SYSCO provides compensation benefits to employees and non-employee directors under several share-based payment arrangements including the 2004 Stock Option Plan, the 2005 Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan, the Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan and the Management Incentive Plans.
 
      SYSCO accounts for share-based compensation using the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123(R)), which it adopted using the modified-prospective transition method effective July 3, 2005.


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      Stock Option Plans
 
      SYSCO’s 2004 Stock Option Plan was adopted in fiscal 2005 and reserved 23,500,000 shares of SYSCO common stock for grants of options and dividend equivalents to directors, officers and other employees of the company and its subsidiaries at the fair market value (as defined in the plan) at the date of grant. Options to purchase 6,504,200 and 4,827,500 shares were granted to employees in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
      SYSCO’s 2005 Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan was adopted in fiscal 2006 and reserved 550,000 shares of common stock for grants to non-employee directors in the form of options, stock grants, restricted stock units and dividend equivalents. In the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007, options to purchase 35,000 shares and 42,000 shares of restricted stock were granted to non-employee directors. Of the 42,000 shares of restricted stock granted to non-employee directors, 12,000 shares in the aggregate were issued to two new non-employee directors as one-time retainer awards. In the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006, options to purchase 31,500 shares and 27,000 shares of restricted stock were granted to non-employee directors.
 
      The fair value of each option award is estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average grant-date fair value per share of options granted during the 39-week periods ended March 31, 2007 and April 1, 2006 was $6.85 and $7.83, respectively.
 
      Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan
 
      SYSCO’s Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan permits employees to invest by means of periodic payroll deductions in SYSCO common stock at 85% of the closing price on the last business day of each calendar quarter. Shares of SYSCO common stock purchased by plan participants during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and 2006 were 1,286,176 and 1,386,124, respectively.
 
      The weighted average fair value per share of employee stock purchase rights issued pursuant to the Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan was $5.00 and $4.91 during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively. The fair value of the stock purchase rights was calculated as the difference between the stock price and the employee purchase price.
 
      Management Incentive Compensation
 
      SYSCO’s Management Incentive Plans compensate key management personnel for specific performance achievements. The bonuses earned and expensed under these plans during a fiscal year are paid in the following fiscal year in both cash and stock, and a portion of the cash bonus may be deferred for payment in future years at the election of each participant.
 
      A total of 323,822 shares and 617,637 shares at a fair value per share of $30.56 and $36.25, respectively, were issued pursuant to these plans in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively, for bonuses earned in the preceding fiscal years.
 
      All Share-Based Payment Arrangements
 
      The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in results of operations was $69,510,000 and $101,944,000 for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in results of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $13,065,000 and $14,186,000 for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively.


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      The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in results of operations was $19,594,000 and $27,776,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in results of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $4,164,000 and $2,816,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively.
 
      As of March 31, 2007, there was $98,139,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of three years.
 
  9.   Income Taxes
 
      Reflected in the changes in the net deferred tax liability and prepaid/accrued income tax balances from July 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007 is the reclassification of deferred tax liabilities to accrued income taxes related to supply chain distributions. This reclassification reflects the tax payments to be made during the next twelve months related to previously deferred supply chain distributions.
 
      The effective tax rate for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 was 38.5%, a decrease from the effective tax rate of 39.9% for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to lower share-based compensation expense in fiscal 2007. SYSCO recorded a tax benefit of $13,065,000, or 18.8% of the total $69,510,000 in share-based compensation expense recorded in the 39-week period ended March 31, 2007. SYSCO recorded a tax benefit of $14,186,000, or 13.9% of the total $101,944,000 in share-based compensation expense recorded in the 39-week period ended April 1, 2006.
 
      The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 was 38.8%, a decrease from the effective tax rate of 39.9% for the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to lower share-based compensation expense in fiscal 2007. SYSCO recorded a tax benefit of $4,164,000, or 21.3% of the total $19,594,000 in share-based compensation expense recorded in the 13-week period ended March 31, 2007. SYSCO recorded a tax benefit of $2,816,000, or 10.1% of the total $27,776,000 in share-based compensation expense recorded in the 13-week period ended April 1, 2006.
 
      The determination of the company’s overall effective tax rate requires the use of estimates. The effective tax rate reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state, as well as Canadian federal and provincial, jurisdictions. Jurisdictional tax law changes, increases/decreases in permanent differences between book and tax items, tax credits and the company’s change in earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate.
 
      As of March 31, 2007, the company’s 2003 and 2004 federal income tax returns were under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The company has accrued approximately $14,000,000 for its best estimate of the additional liability required related to certain positions which have been challenged by the IRS on which the company believes it is probable that it will not prevail. This represents an increase of $4,000,000 from the liability of $10,000,000 recorded as of July 1, 2006. SYSCO has received the final summary of proposed adjustments from the IRS, which include, among other items, a current assessment of taxes for which the company has recorded a deferred tax liability related to SYSCO’s affiliate, Baugh Supply Chain Cooperative (BSCC), plus related interest. The company has reviewed the merits of the issues raised by the IRS. The company has not recorded a liability for the interest portion of the assessment proposed by the IRS related to BSCC, nor has it accrued tax or interest related to other disputed assessments, as the company does not believe the loss is probable. See


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      further discussion related to BSCC in Note 11 Commitments and Contingencies under the caption “BSCC Cooperative Structure”.
 
  10.   Acquisitions
 
      During the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007, the company paid cash of $48,534,000 for acquisitions made during fiscal 2007 and for contingent consideration related to operations acquired in previous fiscal years. In addition, escrowed funds in the amount of $2,500,000 related to certain acquisitions were released to sellers of previously acquired businesses during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007.
 
      Certain acquisitions involve contingent consideration typically payable only in the event that specified operating results are attained or certain outstanding contingencies are resolved. Aggregate contingent consideration amounts outstanding as of March 31, 2007 included $113,803,000 in cash, which, if distributed, could result in the recording of additional goodwill. Such amounts are to be paid out over periods of up to four years from the date of acquisition if the contingent criteria are met.
 
  11.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
      SYSCO is engaged in various legal proceedings which have arisen but have not been fully adjudicated. These proceedings, in the opinion of management, will not have a material adverse effect upon the consolidated financial statements of the company when ultimately concluded.
 
      Multi-Employer Pension Plans
 
      SYSCO contributes to several multi-employer defined benefit pension plans based on obligations arising under collective bargaining agreements covering union-represented employees. Approximately 10% of SYSCO’s current employees are participants in such multi-employer plans. In fiscal 2006, total contributions to these plans were approximately $29,796,000. During the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007, total contributions to these plans were approximately $24,205,000.
 
      SYSCO does not directly manage these multi-employer plans, which are generally managed by boards of trustees, half of whom are appointed by the unions and the other half by other contributing employers to the plan. Based upon the information available from plan administrators, management believes that some of these multi-employer plans are under-funded due partially to a decline in the value of the assets supporting these plans, a reduction in the number of actively participating members for whom employer contributions are required, and the level of benefits provided by the plans. In addition, the Pension Protection Act, enacted in August 2006, will require under-funded pension plans to improve their funding ratios within prescribed intervals based on the level of their under-funding, perhaps beginning as soon as 2008. As a result, SYSCO’s required contributions to these plans may increase in the future.
 
      Under current law regarding multi-employer defined benefit plans, a plan’s termination, SYSCO’s voluntary withdrawal, or the mass withdrawal of all contributing employers from any under-funded multi-employer defined benefit plan would require SYSCO to make payments to the plan for SYSCO’s proportionate share of the multi-employer plan’s unfunded vested liabilities. SYSCO does not believe that it is probable that there will be a mass withdrawal of employers from the plan or that any of the plans will terminate in the near future. In addition, if a multi-employer defined benefit plan fails to satisfy certain minimum funding requirements,


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      the IRS may impose a nondeductible excise tax of 5% on the amount of the accumulated funding deficiency for those employers contributing to the fund.
 
      Based on the information available from plan administrators, SYSCO estimates that its share of withdrawal liability on all the multi-employer plans it participates in could be as much as $120,000,000.
 
      BSCC Cooperative Structure
 
      SYSCO’s affiliate, BSCC, is a cooperative and taxed under subchapter T of the United States Internal Revenue Code. SYSCO believes that the deferred tax liabilities resulting from the business operations and legal ownership of BSCC are appropriate under the tax laws. However, if the application of the tax laws to the cooperative structure of BSCC were to be successfully challenged by any federal, state or local tax authority, SYSCO could be required to accelerate the payment of all or a portion of its income tax liabilities associated with BSCC that it otherwise has deferred until future periods and be liable for interest on such amounts. As of March 31, 2007, SYSCO has recorded deferred income tax liabilities of $825,000,000 related to the BSCC supply chain distributions. This amount represents the income tax liabilities related to BSCC that were accrued, but the payment had been deferred as of March 31, 2007. In addition, if it were determined that all amounts since the inception of BSCC were inappropriately deferred or that BSCC should have been a taxable entity, SYSCO estimates that in addition to making a current payment for amounts previously deferred (as discussed above), the company may have additional liability (representing interest) that would be payable on the cumulative deferred balances ranging from $160,000,000 to $180,000,000, prior to federal income tax benefit, as of March 31, 2007. SYSCO calculated this amount based upon the amounts deferred since the inception of BSCC applying the applicable jurisdictions’ interest rates in effect in each period. During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, as a part of the IRS’s audit of the 2003 and 2004 federal income tax returns, the IRS proposed adjustments related to the taxability of BSCC. The company plans to vigorously protest these adjustments. The company has reviewed the merits of the issues raised by the IRS and based upon such review, SYSCO believes that the resulting interest is not a probable liability and accordingly, has not recorded any related amount in any period.
 
      Fuel Commitments
 
      From time to time, SYSCO may enter into forward purchase commitments for a portion of its projected diesel fuel requirements. As of March 31, 2007, outstanding forward diesel fuel purchase commitments total approximately $67,000,000 at a fixed price through the end of calendar year 2007. These agreements meet the definition of a derivative. However, the company elected to use the normal purchase and sale exemption available under relevant accounting literature, which allows SYSCO to account for these agreements on an accrual basis and thus they are not recorded at fair value.


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  12.   Business Segment Information
 
      The company has aggregated its operating companies into a number of segments, of which only Broadline and SYGMA are reportable segments as defined in SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” Broadline operating companies distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products to both traditional and chain restaurant customers. SYGMA operating companies distribute a full line of food products and a wide variety of non-food products to some of the chain restaurant customer locations. “Other” financial information is attributable to the company’s other segments, including the company’s specialty produce, custom-cut meat and lodging industry segments and a company that distributes to internationally located chain restaurants.
 
      Intersegment sales represent specialty produce and meat company products distributed by the Broadline and SYGMA operating companies. The segment results include allocation of centrally incurred costs for shared services that are eliminated upon consolidation. Centrally incurred costs are allocated based upon the relative level of service used by each operating company. The company does not allocate to its segments share-based compensation expense related to stock option grants, issuances of stock pursuant to the Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan and restricted stock grants.
                                 
    39-Week Period Ended     13-Week Period Ended  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006     Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
Sales (in thousands):
                               
Broadline
  $ 20,270,627     $ 19,098,232     $ 6,716,512     $ 6,386,905  
SYGMA
    3,240,706       3,062,546       1,082,534       1,035,287  
Other
    2,648,772       2,246,939       887,156       815,812  
Intersegment sales
    (346,324 )     (288,356 )     (113,241 )     (100,188 )
 
                       
Total
  $ 25,813,781     $ 24,119,361     $ 8,572,961     $ 8,137,816  
 
                       
                                 
    39-Week Period Ended     13-Week Period Ended  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006     Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
Earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change (in thousands):
                               
Broadline
  $ 1,195,941     $ 1,093,501     $ 375,944     $ 346,284  
SYGMA
    9,858       (699 )     4,077       2,601  
Other
    93,438       86,733       31,631       28,832  
 
                       
Total segments
    1,299,237       1,179,535       411,652       377,717  
Unallocated corporate expenses
    (164,761 )     (193,977 )     (50,673 )     (63,895 )
 
                       
Total
  $ 1,134,476     $ 985,558     $ 360,979     $ 313,822  
 
                       
                         
    Mar. 31, 2007     July 1, 2006     Apr. 1, 2006  
Assets (in thousands):
                       
Broadline
  $ 5,543,427     $ 5,248,223     $ 5,237,766  
SYGMA
    378,481       359,116       342,704  
Other
    934,794       832,223       829,013  
 
                 
Total segments
    6,856,702       6,439,562       6,409,483  
Corporate
    2,570,619       2,552,463       2,474,605  
 
                 
Total
  $ 9,427,321     $ 8,992,025     $ 8,884,088  
 
                 


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  13.   Supplemental Guarantor Information
 
      SYSCO International, Co. is an unlimited liability company organized under the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SYSCO. In May 2002, SYSCO International, Co. issued, in a private offering, $200,000,000 of 6.10% notes due in 2012. These notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by SYSCO.
 
      The following condensed consolidating financial statements present separately the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the parent guarantor (SYSCO), the subsidiary issuer (SYSCO International) and all other non-guarantor subsidiaries of SYSCO (Other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries) on a combined basis and eliminating entries.
                                         
    Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet  
    March 31, 2007  
            SYSCO     Other Non-Guarantor             Consolidated  
    SYSCO     International     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Totals  
    (In thousands)  
Current assets
  $ 164,981     $ 2     $ 4,410,256     $     $ 4,575,239  
Investment in subsidiaries
    12,255,418       320,454       148,061       (12,723,933 )      
Plant and equipment, net
    149,780             2,499,928             2,649,708  
Other assets
    755,940             1,446,434             2,202,374  
 
                             
Total assets
  $ 13,326,119     $ 320,456     $ 8,504,679     $ (12,723,933 )   $ 9,427,321  
 
                             
 
                                       
Current liabilities
  $ 388,834     $ 4,070     $ 2,992,368     $     $ 3,385,272  
Intercompany payables (receivables)
    7,787,418       27,058       (7,814,476 )            
Long-term debt
    1,367,978       223,920       41,193             1,633,091  
Other liabilities
    537,318             536,119             1,073,437  
Shareholders’ equity
    3,244,571       65,408       12,749,475       (12,723,933 )     3,335,521  
 
                             
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 13,326,119     $ 320,456     $ 8,504,679     $ (12,723,933 )   $ 9,427,321  
 
                             
                                         
    Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet  
    July 1, 2006  
            SYSCO     Other Non-Guarantor             Consolidated  
    SYSCO     International     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Totals  
    (In thousands)  
Current assets
  $ 162,177     $ 35     $ 4,237,482     $     $ 4,399,694  
Investment in subsidiaries
    11,282,232       317,812       125,433       (11,725,477 )      
Plant and equipment, net
    174,020             2,290,880             2,464,900  
Other assets
    711,056             1,416,375             2,127,431  
 
                             
Total assets
  $ 12,329,485     $ 317,847     $ 8,070,170     $ (11,725,477 )   $ 8,992,025  
 
                             
 
                                       
Current liabilities
  $ 331,417     $ 1,022     $ 2,893,964     $     $ 3,226,403  
Intercompany payables (receivables)
    7,207,923       38,308       (7,246,231 )            
Long-term debt
    1,358,452       224,247       44,428             1,627,127  
Other liabilities
    487,858             598,353             1,086,211  
Shareholders’ equity
    2,943,835       54,270       11,779,656       (11,725,477 )     3,052,284  
 
                             
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 12,329,485     $ 317,847     $ 8,070,170     $ (11,725,477 )   $ 8,992,025  
 
                             


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    Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet  
    April 1, 2006  
            SYSCO     Other Non-Guarantor             Consolidated  
    SYSCO     International     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Totals  
    (In thousands)  
Current assets
  $ 150,938     $ 6     $ 4,195,268     $     $ 4,346,212  
Investment in subsidiaries
    10,879,188       303,341       141,222       (11,323,751 )      
Plant and equipment, net
    149,924             2,249,421             2,399,345  
Other assets
    727,605             1,410,926             2,138,531  
 
                             
Total assets
  $ 11,907,655     $ 303,347     $ 7,996,837     $ (11,323,751 )   $ 8,884,088  
 
                             
 
                                       
Current liabilities
  $ 444,645     $ 4,201     $ 2,742,626     $     $ 3,191,472  
Intercompany payables (receivables)
    6,692,232       14,064       (6,706,296 )            
Long-term debt
    1,502,833       238,976       45,346             1,787,155  
Other liabilities
    555,102             550,529             1,105,631  
Shareholders’ equity
    2,712,843       46,106       11,364,632       (11,323,751 )     2,799,830  
 
                             
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 11,907,655     $ 303,347     $ 7,996,837     $ (11,323,751 )   $ 8,884,088  
 
                             
                                         
    Condensed Consolidating Results of Operations  
    For the 39-Week Period Ended March 31, 2007  
            SYSCO     Other Non-Guarantor             Consolidated  
    SYSCO     International     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Totals  
    (In thousands)  
Sales
  $     $     $ 25,813,781     $     $ 25,813,781  
Cost of sales
                20,856,982             20,856,982  
Operating expenses
    156,120       96       3,601,584             3,757,800  
Interest expense (income)
    303,451       9,059       (233,038 )           79,472  
Other, net
    (8,129 )           (6,820 )           (14,949 )
 
                             
Total costs and expenses
    451,442       9,155       24,218,708             24,679,305  
 
                             
Earnings (losses) before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
    (451,442 )     (9,155 )     1,595,073             1,134,476  
Income tax (benefit) provision
    (182,032 )     (3,572 )     622,395             436,791  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    967,095       12,377             (979,472 )      
 
                             
Net earnings
  $ 697,685     $ 6,794     $ 972,678     $ (979,472 )   $ 697,685  
 
                             
                                         
    Condensed Consolidating Results of Operations  
    For the 39-Week Period Ended April 1, 2006  
            SYSCO     Other Non-Guarantor             Consolidated  
    SYSCO     International     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Totals  
    (In thousands)  
Sales
  $     $     $ 24,119,361     $     $ 24,119,361  
Cost of sales
                19,517,648             19,517,648  
Operating expenses
    175,486       81       3,365,828             3,541,395  
Interest expense (income)
    274,951       8,439       (202,476 )           80,914  
Other, net
    (1,920 )           (4,234 )           (6,154 )
 
                             
Total costs and expenses
    448,517       8,520       22,676,766             23,133,803  
 
                             
Earnings (losses) before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
    (448,517 )     (8,520 )     1,442,595             985,558  
Income tax (benefit) provision
    (144,151 )     (3,195 )     540,973             393,627  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    896,297       4,273             (900,570 )      
 
                             
Net earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change
    591,931       (1,052 )     901,622       (900,570 )     591,931  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
    9,285                         9,285  
 
                             
Net earnings
  $ 601,216     $ (1,052 )   $ 901,622     $ (900,570 )   $ 601,216  
 
                             


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    Condensed Consolidating Results of Operations  
    13-Week Period Ended March 31, 2007  
            SYSCO     Other Non-Guarantor             Consolidated  
    SYSCO     International     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Totals  
    (In thousands)  
Sales
  $     $     $ 8,572,961     $     $ 8,572,961  
Cost of sales
                6,938,867             6,938,867  
Operating expenses
    54,999       33       1,194,919             1,249,951  
Interest expense (income)
    103,727       3,019       (81,046 )           25,700  
Other, net
    (961 )           (1,575 )           (2,536 )
 
                             
Total costs and expenses
    157,765       3,052       8,051,165             8,211,982  
 
                             
Earnings (losses) before income taxes
    (157,765 )     (3,052 )     521,796             360,979  
Income tax (benefit) provision
    (63,286 )     (1,195 )     204,461             139,980  
Equity in earnings of Subsidiaries
    315,478       585             (316,063 )      
 
                             
Net earnings
  $ 220,999     $ (1,272 )   $ 317,335     $ (316,063 )   $ 220,999  
 
                             
                                         
    Condensed Consolidating Results of Operations  
    13-Week Period Ended April 1, 2006  
            SYSCO     Other Non-Guarantor             Consolidated  
    SYSCO     International     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Totals  
    (In thousands)  
Sales
  $     $     $ 8,137,816     $     $ 8,137,816  
Cost of sales
                6,602,102             6,602,102  
Operating expenses
    56,592       14       1,136,664             1,193,270  
Interest expense (income)
    98,607       3,066       (72,232 )           29,441  
Other, net
    (688 )           (131 )           (819 )
 
                             
Total costs and expenses
    154,511       3,080       7,666,403             7,823,994  
 
                             
Earnings (losses) before income taxes
    (154,511 )     (3,080 )     471,413             313,822  
Income tax (benefit) provision
    (50,341 )     (1,155 )     176,779             125,283  
Equity in earnings of Subsidiaries
    292,709       125             (292,834 )      
 
                             
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 188,539     $ (1,800 )   $ 294,634     $ (292,834 )   $ 188,539  
 
                             
                                 
    Condensed Consolidating Cash Flows  
    39-Week Period Ended March 31, 2007  
            SYSCO     Other Non-Guarantor     Consolidated  
    SYSCO     International     Subsidiaries     Totals  
    (In thousands)  
Net cash provided by (used for):
                               
 
                               
Operating activities
  $ (107,737 )   $ (2,500 )   $ 1,062,402     $ 952,165  
Investing activities
    (1,531 )           (491,389 )     (492,920 )
Financing activities
    (474,423 )     (327 )     (3,819 )     (478,569 )
Effect of exchange rate on cash
                (1,630 )     (1,630 )
Intercompany activity
    577,074       2,827       (579,901 )      
 
                       
Net decrease in cash
    (6,617 )           (14,337 )     (20,954 )
Cash at the beginning of the period
    131,275             70,622       201,897  
 
                       
Cash at the end of the period
  $ 124,658     $     $ 56,285     $ 180,943  
 
                       
                                 
    Condensed Consolidating Cash Flows  
    39-Week Period Ended April 1, 2006  
            SYSCO     Other Non-Guarantor     Consolidated  
    SYSCO     International     Subsidiaries     Totals  
    (In thousands)  
Net cash provided by (used for):
                               
 
                               
Operating activities
  $ (143,620 )   $ (2,430 )   $ 785,261     $ 639,211  
Investing activities
    (48,627 )           (412,782 )     (461,409 )
Financing activities
    (164,580 )     6,418       (4,646 )     (162,808 )
Effect of exchange rate on cash
                (1,067 )     (1,067 )
Intercompany activity
    347,206       (3,988 )     (343,218 )      
 
                       
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (9,621 )           23,548       13,927  
Cash at the beginning of the Period
    125,748             65,930       191,678  
 
                       
Cash at the end of the Period
  $ 116,127     $     $ 89,478     $ 205,605  
 
                       

 


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Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Unless this Form 10-Q indicates otherwise or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” or “SYSCO” as used in this Form 10-Q refer to Sysco Corporation together with our consolidated subsidiaries and divisions. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements as of July 1, 2006, and for the fiscal year then ended, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2006.
Highlights
Results of Operations
Sales increased 7.0% in the first 39 weeks and 5.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable prior year periods. Accounting pronouncement EITF 04-13 (see below) negatively impacted sales growth in fiscal 2007 by 1.1% in the first 39 weeks and 0.9% in the third quarter and also affects the comparison of gross margins, operating expenses and earnings as a percentage of sales between the periods. Gross margins as a percentage of sales were 19.2% in the first 39 weeks and 19.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales for the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007 decreased from the comparable prior year periods reflecting efficiencies in our operating activities. Decreases in pension and share-based compensation expenses were largely offset by higher corporate expenses, including management incentive bonus accruals and investments in strategic business initiatives. Earnings before the cumulative effect of accounting change increased 17.9% for the first 39 weeks and 17.2% for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable prior year period. Diluted earnings per share before the cumulative effect of accounting change increased 18.1% for the first 39 weeks and 16.7% for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable prior year period.
Accounting Changes
In the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we adopted accounting pronouncement EITF 04-13 “Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty,” (EITF 04-13). The accounting standard requires certain transactions, where inventory is purchased by us from a customer and then resold at a later date to the same customer (as defined), to be presented in the income statement on a net basis. This situation primarily arises for SYSCO when our customer has a proprietary item which they have either manufactured or sourced, but they require our distribution and logistics capabilities to get the product to their locations. The impact of adopting this new standard resulted in sales being reduced by $253,724,000 for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and $76,718,000 in the third quarter of 2007. Cost of sales were also reduced by the same amount and thus net earnings are unaffected by the adoption of this standard. We adopted this accounting pronouncement beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 and will apply it to similar transactions prospectively. Prior period sales and cost of sales have not been restated. Therefore, the calculation of sales growth and the comparison of gross margins, operating expenses and earnings as a percentage of sales between the periods are affected.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2006, we changed the measurement date for pension and other postretirement benefit plans from fiscal year-end to May 31st to assist us in meeting accelerated SEC filing dates. As a result of this change, we recorded a cumulative effect of a change in accounting, which increased net earnings for fiscal 2006 by $9,285,000, net of tax.


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Overview
SYSCO distributes food and related products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers. Our operations are located throughout the United States and Canada and include broadline companies, specialty produce companies, custom-cut meat operations, hotel supply operations, SYGMA (our chain restaurant distribution subsidiary) and a company that distributes to internationally located chain restaurants.
We estimate that we serve about 14% of an approximately $232 billion annual market that includes the North American foodservice market and North American hotel amenity, furniture and textile market. According to industry sources, the foodservice, or food-prepared-away-from-home, market represents approximately one-half of the total dollars spent on food purchases made at the consumer level. This share grew from about 37% in 1972 to about 50% in 1998 and has not changed materially since that time.
General economic conditions and consumer confidence can affect the frequency of purchases and amounts spent by consumers for food-prepared-away-from-home and, in turn, can impact our sales. Historically, we have grown at a faster rate than the overall industry and have grown our market share in this fragmented industry. We intend to continue to expand our market share and grow earnings by focusing on sales growth, brand management, productivity gains, sales force effectiveness and supply chain management.
National Supply Chain Project
We expect our National Supply Chain project to lower inventory, operating costs, working capital requirements and future facility expansion needs at our operating companies while providing greater value to our suppliers and customers. The first regional distribution center (RDC), the Northeast RDC located in Front Royal, Virginia, opened during the third quarter of fiscal 2005.
In January 2006, we completed the purchase of land in Alachua, Florida for the future site of our second RDC, which will service our five broadline operating companies in Florida. Construction of the building site is in progress and this facility is expected to be operational in fiscal 2008. In March 2007, we purchased the site for construction of a third RDC in Hamlet, Indiana.


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Strategic Business Initiatives
In fiscal 2006, our executive team, with the approval of the Board of Directors, established a strategy team to examine many aspects of our businesses with an initial emphasis on five strategic focus areas established to help us achieve our long-term vision of becoming the global leader of the efficient, multi-temperature food product value chain. These five areas will serve as the foundation in our efforts to ensure a sustainable future and identify areas for growth. Each area is staffed with full-time associates who are focused on the following:
    The Sourcing Team is focusing on lowering our cost of goods sold by leveraging SYSCO’s purchasing power and procurement expertise. The Sourcing Team recently rolled out an implementation process for centrally sourced items and is currently in the middle of implementing the second group of products to be purchased in a more coordinated effort.
 
    The Integrated Delivery Team’s objective is working to optimize our current infrastructure in order to reduce costs and provide a growth platform in North America. Currently, the Integrated Delivery Team is pilot-testing processes to optimize warehouse and delivery activities and energy consumption to achieve a more efficient delivery of products to our customers.
 
    The Demand Team is developing strategies to better understand and more profitably sell to and service SYSCO’s customers. The Demand Team is focusing on developing targeted go-to-market strategies and better tools and techniques for selling.
 
    The Organizational Capabilities Team is working to align management reporting systems and metrics with the new strategic priorities.
 
    The New Growth Team is exploring potential new markets and acquisitions and enhancing the processes for evaluating and integrating them with existing operations.
Our primary focus is on growing and optimizing the core foodservice distribution business in North America. To a lesser extent, we will also explore and identify opportunities to grow our global capabilities.
During the quarter, we began to take our strategic growth plans from initiative to implementation and announced new responsibilities for several executives. Over time, the teams will be integrated into our business and a strategic management function will remain to help put strategic plans into action.
We will continue to use our strategic business initiatives to help us grow by leveraging our market leadership position to continuously improve how our associates buy, handle and market products for our customers.


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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the components of the Results of Operations expressed as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated:
                                 
    39-Week Period Ended     13-Week Period Ended  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006     Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
Sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
Costs and Expenses
                               
Cost of sales
    80.8       80.9       80.9       81.1  
Operating expenses
    14.6       14.7       14.6       14.7  
Interest expense
    0.3       0.3       0.3       0.4  
Other, net
    (0.1 )     0.0       0.0       0.0  
 
                       
Total costs and expenses
    95.6       95.9       95.8       96.2  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
    4.4       4.1       4.2       3.8  
Income taxes
    1.7       1.6       1.6       1.5  
 
                       
Earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change
    2.7       2.5       2.6       2.3  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
                       
 
                       
Net earnings
    2.7 %     2.5 %     2.6 %     2.3 %
 
                       


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The following table sets forth the change in the components of the Results of Operations expressed as a percentage increase or decrease over the comparable period in the prior year:
                 
    39-Week Period     13-Week Period  
Sales
    7.0 %     5.3 %
 
Costs and Expenses
               
Cost of sales
    6.9       5.1  
Operating expenses
    6.1       4.8  
Interest expense
    (1.8 )     (12.7 )
Other, net
    142.9       209.6  
 
           
Total costs and expenses
    6.7       5.0  
 
           
 
               
Earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
    15.1       15.0  
Income taxes
    11.0       11.7  
 
           
Earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change
    17.9       17.2  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
           
 
           
Net earnings
    16.0 %     17.2 %
 
           
 
               
Earnings before cumulative effect of accounting change:
               
Basic earnings per share
    18.9 %     20.0 %
Diluted earnings per share
    18.1       16.7  
 
               
Net earnings:
               
Basic earnings per share
    16.5       20.0  
Diluted earnings per share
    16.8       16.7  
 
               
Average shares outstanding
    (0.5 )     (0.2 )
Diluted shares outstanding
    (0.5 )     0.1  


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Sales
Sales increased 7.0% for the first 39 weeks and 5.3% for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable periods of the prior year. The application of EITF 04-13 negatively impacted sales growth in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 by 1.1%, or $253,724,000, and the third quarter of fiscal 2007 by 0.9%, or $76,718,000. Acquisitions contributed 0.8% to the overall sales growth rate for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and 0.5% for the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Estimated product cost increases, an internal measure of inflation, were 2.6% during the first 39 weeks and 2.9% during the third quarter of fiscal 2007, as compared to 0.9% during the first 39 weeks and 2.0% during the third quarter of fiscal 2006.
We believe that our continued focus on customer account penetration through the use of business reviews with customers and the continued investment in increasing the number of customer contact personnel contributed to the sales growth in fiscal 2007. The number of customer contact personnel has increased by 335 since the end of fiscal 2006 and by 480 since the end of the comparable prior year period.
Gross Margins
Gross margins as a percentage of sales were 19.2% for the first 39 weeks and 19.1% for the third quarter of fiscal 2007, as compared to 19.1% for the first 39 weeks and 18.9% for the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The impact of EITF 04-13 contributed 0.2% to the increase in gross margins as a percentage of sales in both the first 39 weeks and third quarter of fiscal 2007. Gross margins as a percentage of sales, prior to the benefit obtained from the impact of EITF 04-13, were comparable across periods.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 14.6% for both the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007, as compared to 14.7% for each of the comparable periods in the prior year. The impact of EITF 04-13 increased operating expenses as a percentage of sales by 0.1% for both the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007. The decline in operating expenses as a percentage of sales, prior to the effect of the impact of EITF 04-13, was primarily due to efficiencies obtained at the operating company level. Decreases in pension and share-based compensation expenses were offset by higher corporate expenses, including various management incentive bonus accruals and investments in strategic business initiatives.
Share-based compensation expense decreased $32,434,000 and $8,182,000 in the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable prior year periods, due primarily to the completion of expense recognition in fiscal 2006 of a significant number of options granted in fiscal 2002. Net pension costs decreased $41,996,000 and $13,999,000 in the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable prior year periods, due primarily to the increase in the discount rate used to determine fiscal 2007 pension costs. Net pension costs for fiscal 2007 are expected to decrease by approximately $55,000,000 over the prior year. The non-stock portion of various management incentive bonus accruals increased $53,380,000 and $19,875,000 in the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable prior year periods, due primarily to improved operating results over last year. Investments in strategic business initiatives increased $20,546,000 and $3,054,000 in the first 39 weeks and third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable prior year periods.


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Operating expenses were reduced by the recognition of a gain of $15,005,000 in the first 39 weeks and $3,758,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to adjust the carrying value of life insurance assets to their cash surrender value. This compared to the recognition of a gain of $12,230,000 in the first 39 weeks and $4,103,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2006.
Due to improved operating results in fiscal 2007, we believe that incentive compensation will be $25,000,000 to $30,000,000 million higher in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 over the fourth quarter last year.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was comparable for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and the comparable period in fiscal 2006.
The decrease in interest expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable period in fiscal 2006 was due to decreased borrowing levels.
Other, Net
Changes between the periods result from fluctuations in various activities. The increase in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 over the comparable prior year period is primarily due to a gain of approximately $5,800,000 on the sale of land.
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 was 38.5%, a decrease from the effective tax rate of 39.9% for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 was 38.8%, a decrease from the effective tax rate of 39.9% for the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The decreases in the effective tax rates were primarily due to lower share-based compensation expense in fiscal 2007.
Net Earnings
In the first quarter of fiscal 2006, SYSCO recorded a cumulative effect of a change in accounting, due to a change in the measurement date for pension and other postretirement benefits, which increased net earnings for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006 by $9,285,000, net of tax.
Earnings before the cumulative effect of accounting change increased 17.9% and 17.2% for the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007, respectively, over the comparable periods of the prior year. The increase was due primarily to the factors discussed above.
Net earnings increased 16.0% and 17.2% for the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable periods of the prior year. The increase was due primarily to the factors discussed above and the cumulative effect of accounting change recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2006.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share before the cumulative effect of accounting change increased 18.9% and 20.0%, in the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007, respectively, over the comparable periods of the prior year. Diluted earnings per share before the cumulative effect of accounting change increased 18.1% and 16.7%, in the first 39 weeks and the third quarter


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of fiscal 2007, respectively, over the comparable periods of the prior year. These increases were due primarily to the factors discussed above and the reduction in shares outstanding due to share repurchases.
Basic earnings per share increased 16.5% and 20.0%, in the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007, respectively, over the comparable periods of the prior year. Diluted earnings per share increased 16.8% and 16.7%, in the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007, respectively, over the comparable periods of the prior year. In addition to the factors discussed above, the comparison of basic and diluted earnings per share for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 is impacted by the amounts recorded related to the cumulative effects of accounting change in the first quarter of fiscal 2006 (See Note 2, Changes in Accounting beginning on page 5 for further discussion).
Segment Results
The following table sets forth the change in the selected financial data of each of our reportable segments expressed as a percentage increase over the comparable period in the prior year and should be read in conjunction with Note 12, Business Segment Information beginning on page 14:
                                 
    39-Week Period     13-Week Period  
            Earnings             Earnings  
            before             before  
    Sales     taxes     Sales     taxes  
Broadline
    6.1 %     9.4 %     5.2 %     8.6 %
SYGMA
    5.8       (1)     4.6       56.7 (2)
Other
    17.9       7.7       8.7       9.8  
 
(1)   SYGMA had earnings before taxes of $9,858,000 in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and a loss of $699,000 in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006.
 
(2)   SYGMA had earnings before taxes of $4,077,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and $2,601,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2006.
The following table sets forth sales and earnings before income taxes of each of our reportable segments expressed as a percentage of the respective consolidated total and should be read in conjunction with Note 12, Business Segment Information beginning on page 14:
                                 
    39-Week Period Ended  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
            Earnings             Earnings  
            before             before  
    Sales     taxes     Sales     taxes  
Broadline
    78.5 %     105.4 %     79.2 %     111.0 %
SYGMA
    12.5       0.9       12.7       (0.1 )
Other
    10.3       8.2       9.3       8.8  
Intersegment sales
    (1.3 )           (1.2 )      
Unallocated corporate expenses
          (14.5 )           (19.7 )
 
                       
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
                       


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26

                                 
    13-Week Period Ended  
    Mar. 31, 2007     Apr. 1, 2006  
            Earnings             Earnings  
            before             before  
    Sales     taxes     Sales     taxes  
Broadline
    78.4 %     104.1 %     78.5 %     110.3 %
SYGMA
    12.6       1.1       12.7       0.8  
Other
    10.3       8.8       10.0       9.2  
Intersegment sales
    (1.3 )           (1.2 )      
Unallocated corporate expenses
          (14.0 )           (20.3 )
 
                       
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
                       
We do not allocate to our segments share-based compensation expense related to stock option grants, issuances of stock pursuant to the Employees’ Stock Purchase plan and restricted stock grants.
Broadline Segment
Broadline segment sales increased 6.1% for the first 39 weeks and 5.2% for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable periods of the prior year. The application of EITF 04-13 negatively impacted sales growth in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 by 0.7%, or $131,076,000 and the third quarter of fiscal 2007 by 0.5%, or $34,174,000. Acquisitions did not have an impact to the overall sales growth rate for the first 39 weeks or third quarter of fiscal 2007. The sales increases were primarily due to increased sales to multi-unit customers and marketing associate-served customers.
Marketing associate-served sales as a percentage of broadline sales in the U.S. were 51.8% and 50.7% for the first 39 weeks and third quarter of fiscal 2007, respectively, as compared to 51.4% and 50.6%, respectively, for the comparable prior year periods. SYSCO Brand sales as a percentage of broadline sales in the U.S. were 45.8% and 45.0% for the first 39 weeks and the third quarter of fiscal 2007, respectively, as compared to 48.4% and 47.4%, respectively, for the comparable prior year periods.
Earnings before income taxes for the Broadline segment increased 9.4% for the first 39 weeks and 8.6% for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable periods of the prior year. These increases in earnings before income taxes were primarily due to increases in sales and operating efficiencies.
SYGMA Segment
SYGMA segment sales increased 5.8% for the first 39 weeks and 4.6% for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable periods of the prior year. The application of EITF 04-13 negatively impacted sales growth in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 by 4.0%, or $121,772,000 and the third quarter of fiscal 2007 by 4.1%, or $41,941,000. Acquisitions contributed 2.4% to the overall sales growth rate for both the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and the third quarter of fiscal 2007. The increases in sales were due to sales to new customers and sales growth in SYGMA’s existing customer base related to increased sales at existing locations as well as new locations added by those customers. In addition, certain customers were transferred from Broadline operations to be serviced by SYGMA operations, contributing to the sales increase.


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Earnings before income taxes for the SYGMA segment increased to $9,858,000 for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 from the comparable prior period loss of $699,000. Earnings before income taxes for the SYGMA segment increased 56.7% to $4,077,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 over the comparable prior period earnings of $2,601,000. These increases in earnings before income taxes were due to several factors, including sales growth, increased margins and improved operating efficiencies partially offset by costs of labor and auto liability related expenses. In addition, the transfer of customers from Broadline operations referred to above also contributed to the increases in earnings before income taxes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We may apply cash provided by operating activities, as supplemented by commercial paper issuances and other bank borrowings, towards investments in facilities, fleet and other equipment; cash dividends; acquisitions consistent with our overall growth strategy; and the share repurchase program.
We believe that our cash flows from operations, as well as the availability of additional capital under our existing commercial paper programs, bank lines of credit, debt shelf registration and our ability to access capital from financial markets in the future, will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements while maintaining proper liquidity for normal operating purposes.
Operating Activities
We generated $952,165,000 in cash flow from operations in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007, as compared to $639,211,000 in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006.
Cash flow from operations in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 was impacted by increases in accounts receivable balances and inventory balances offset by an increase in accounts payable balances. Cash flow from operations in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006 was impacted by increases in accounts receivable balances and inventory balances, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable balances.
The increase in accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable balances in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 were primarily due to sales growth. March 2007 inventory days sales outstanding ratios (using an average of the last five weeks of cost of sales) were improved as compared to March 2006 which we believe was driven by our inventory management efforts.
The increase in accounts receivable and inventory balances in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006 were primarily due to sales growth. The accounts payable balances did not increase in the same manner as inventory increases. Accounts payable balances are impacted by many factors including changes in product mix and changes in payment terms with vendors due to conversion to more efficient electronic payment methods and to cash discount terms.
Accrued expenses increased $54,167,000 during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and $15,387,000 during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006. These increases were primarily due to accruals for current year incentive bonuses due to improved operating results over last year.
Prepaid pension cost and other long-term liabilities, net, increased $12,621,000 during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 and decreased $39,724,000 during the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006. The change in these accounts was primarily attributable to the recording of net pension costs and the timing of pension contributions. In the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007, we


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recorded net pension costs of $55,948,000 and contributed $68,168,000 to our pension plans. In the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2006, we recorded net pension costs of $97,944,000 and contributed $71,538,000 to our pension plans.
Financing Activities
During the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007, a total of 9,538,700 shares were repurchased at a cost of $329,342,000, as compared to 15,951,800 shares at a cost of $527,616,000 for the comparable period in fiscal 2006. There were no additional share repurchases through April 28, 2007, resulting in 9,800,200 shares remaining available for repurchase as authorized by the Board as of that date.
Dividends paid in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007 were $328,029,000, or $0.53 per share, as compared to $293,535,000, or $0.47 per share, in the comparable period of fiscal 2006. In February 2007, we declared our regular quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, which was paid in April 2007.
As of March 31, 2007, we had uncommitted bank lines of credit, which provide for unsecured borrowings for working capital of up to $145,000,000, of which $10,500,000 was outstanding at March 31, 2007. Such borrowings were $8,500,000 as of April 28, 2007.
As of March 31, 2007, our outstanding commercial paper issuances were $408,133,000. Such borrowings were $638,883,000 as of April 28, 2007. During the 39-week period ended March 31, 2007, the aggregate of commercial paper and short-term bank borrowings ranged from approximately $356,804,000 to $703,072,000.
In September 2006, the termination date on the revolving credit facility supporting our U.S. and Canadian commercial paper programs was extended from November 4, 2010 to November 4, 2011 in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Included in current maturities of long-term debt at March 31, 2007 are the 7.25% senior notes due April 2007 totaling $100,000,000. In April 2007, SYSCO repaid these senior notes at maturity utilizing a combination of cash flow from operations and commercial paper issuances.
Our long-term debt to capitalization ratio was 34.3% at March 31, 2007. For purposes of calculating this ratio, long-term debt includes both the current maturities and long-term portions.
Other Considerations
As discussed in Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies, beginning on page 12, we contribute to several multi-employer defined benefit pension plans based on obligations arising under collective bargaining agreements covering union-represented employees.
Under current law regarding multi-employer defined benefit plans, a plan’s termination, our voluntary withdrawal or the mass withdrawal of all contributing employers from any under-funded multi-employer defined benefit plan would require us to make payments to the plan for our proportionate share of the multi-employer plan’s unfunded vested liabilities. Based on the information available from plan administrators, we estimate that our share of withdrawal liability on all the multi-employer plans we participate in, some of which appear to be under-funded, could be as much as $120,000,000.


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For those plans that appear to be under-funded, we do not currently believe that it is probable that there will be a mass withdrawal of employers contributing to these plans or that any of the plans will terminate in the near future. However, required contributions to multi-employer plans could increase in the future as these plans strive to improve their funding levels. In addition, the Pension Protection Act, enacted in August 2006, will require under-funded pension plans to improve their funding ratios within prescribed intervals based on the level of their under-funding, perhaps beginning as soon as 2008. Unforeseen requirements to pay such increased contributions, withdrawal liability and excise taxes could cause us to raise additional capital through debt financing or the issuance of equity or we may be required to cancel planned capital expenditures or share repurchases or a combination of these items.
Our affiliate, BSCC, is a cooperative and taxed under subchapter T of the Unites States Internal Revenue Code. We believe that the deferred tax liabilities resulting from the business operations and legal ownership of BSCC are appropriate under the tax laws. However, if the application of the tax laws to the cooperative structure of BSCC were to be successfully challenged by any federal, state or local tax authority, we could be required to accelerate the payment of all or a portion of our income tax liabilities associated with BSCC that we otherwise have deferred until future periods and be liable for interest on such amounts. As of March 31, 2007, we have recorded deferred income tax liabilities of $825,000,000 related to the BSCC supply chain distributions. This amount represents the income tax liabilities related to BSCC that were accrued, but the payment had been deferred as of March 31, 2007. In addition, if it were determined that all amounts since the inception of BSCC were inappropriately deferred or that BSCC should have been a taxable entity, we estimate that in addition to making a current payment for amounts previously deferred (as discussed above), the company may have liability (representing interest) that would be payable on the cumulative deferred balances ranging from $160,000,000 to $180,000,000, prior to federal income tax benefit, as of March 31, 2007. We calculated this amount based upon the amounts deferred since the inception of BSCC applying the applicable jurisdictions’ interest rates in effect in each period. During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the IRS proposed adjustments related to the taxability of BSCC. We plan to vigorously protest these adjustments. We have reviewed the merits of the issues raised by the IRS and based upon our review, we believe that the resulting interest is not a probable liability and accordingly, have not recorded any related amount in any period. Any unforeseen requirements to accelerate the payment of these deferred tax liabilities and to pay related interest, if any, could cause us to raise additional capital through debt financing or the issuance of equity or we may be required to forego or defer planned capital expenditures or share repurchases or a combination of these items.
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations. These policies require management’s most subjective judgments, often employing the use of estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. SYSCO’s most critical accounting policies include those that pertain to the allowance for doubtful accounts, self-insurance program, pension plans, income taxes, vendor consideration, accounting for business combinations and share-based compensation, which are described in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 1, 2006.
New Accounting Standards
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with FASB Statement


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No. 109 (SFAS 109). FIN 48 clarifies the application of SFAS 109 by defining criteria that an individual tax position must meet for any part of the benefit of that position to be recognized in the financial statements. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on the measurement, derecognition, classification and disclosure of tax positions, along with accounting for the related interest and penalties. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of FIN 48 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of SFAS 157.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (SFAS 158). SFAS 158 requires an employer to recognize a plan’s funded status in its statement of financial position, measure a plan’s assets and obligations as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year and recognize the changes in a defined benefit postretirement plan’s funded status in comprehensive income in the year in which the changes occur. SFAS 158’s requirement to recognize the funded status of a benefit plan and new disclosure requirements are effective as of the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statement of financial position is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 158 will have on our consolidated financial statements. The effect of adoption at June 30, 2007, our adoption date, or any other future date, cannot be determined, since the impact is dependent upon on the measurements of each plan’s assets and obligations at such date. However, if this standard had been applied at July 1, 2006, the result would have been an increase in current liabilities of approximately $10,000,000, an increase in other long-term liabilities of approximately $145,000,000, a decrease in prepaid pension cost of approximately $160,000,000, a decrease in deferred taxes of approximately $120,000,000 and a decrease in shareholders’ equity of approximately $195,000,000.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No .159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities” (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made herein are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. They include statements regarding expense trends; the impact of ongoing legal proceedings; the timing, expected cost savings and other long-term benefits of the National Supply Chain project and regional distribution centers; anticipated capital expenditures which may vary from projections; the ability to increase sales and market


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share and grow earnings; continued competitive advantages and positive results from growth initiatives; the potential for future success; anticipated pension plan liabilities and contributions; the outcome of ongoing tax audits; the continuing impact of economic conditions on sales growth; growth strategies; SYSCO’s ability to refinance current maturities of long-term debt; and our ability to meet our cash requirements while maintaining proper liquidity. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on management’s current expectations and estimates; actual results may differ materially. Those risks and uncertainties that could impact these statements include the risks discussed at Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” including risks relating to the foodservice distribution industry’s relatively low profit margins and sensitivity to general economic conditions, including the current economic environment, increased fuel costs and consumer spending; SYSCO’s leverage and debt risks; the successful completion of acquisitions and integration of acquired companies as well as the risk that acquisitions could require additional debt or equity financing and negatively impact our stock price or operating results; the effect of competition on us and our customers; the ultimate outcome of litigation; potential impact of product liability claims; the risk of interruption of supplies due to lack of long-term contracts, severe weather, work stoppages or otherwise; labor issues; construction schedules; management’s allocation of capital and the timing of capital purchases; risks relating to the successful completion and operation of the national supply chain project including the Northeast Redistribution Center; the risk that the IRS will disagree with our tax positions and seek to impose interest or penalties; the risk that other sponsors of our multi-employer pension plans will withdraw or become insolvent; that the IRS may impose an excise tax on the unfunded portion of our multi-employer pension plans; or that the Pension Protection Act could require that we make additional pension contributions; and internal factors such as the ability to increase efficiencies, control expenses and successfully execute growth strategies. The expected impact of option expensing is based on certain assumptions regarding the number and fair value of options granted, resulting tax benefits and shares outstanding. The actual impact of option expensing could vary significantly to the extent actual results vary significantly from assumptions.
In addition, share repurchases could be affected by market prices for the company’s securities as well as management’s decision to utilize our capital for other purposes. Interest paid is impacted by capital and borrowing needs and changes in interest rates. The effect of market risks could be impacted by future borrowing levels and economic factors such as interest rates. For a more detailed discussion of these and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the risk factors discussion contained in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We do not utilize financial instruments for trading purposes. Our use of debt directly exposes us to interest rate risk. Floating rate debt, for which the interest rate fluctuates periodically, exposes us to short-term changes in market interest rates. Fixed rate debt, for which the interest rate is fixed over the life of the instrument, exposes us to changes in market interest rates reflected in the fair value of the debt and to the risk we may need to refinance maturing debt with new debt at higher rates.
We manage our debt portfolio to achieve an overall desired position of fixed and floating rates and may employ interest rate swaps as a tool to achieve that goal. The major risks from interest rate derivatives include changes in interest rates affecting the fair value of such instruments, potential increases in interest expense due to market increases in floating interest rates and the creditworthiness of the counterparties in such transactions.


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At March 31, 2007, we had outstanding $408,133,000 of commercial paper issuances at variable rates of interest with maturities through June 25, 2007. Excluding commercial paper issuances, our long-term debt obligations at March 31, 2007 were $1,329,840,000 and were primarily at fixed rates of interest.
In order to partially manage the volatility and uncertainty of fuel costs, from time to time, we may enter into forward purchase commitments for a portion of our projected diesel fuel requirements. As of March 31, 2007, outstanding forward diesel fuel purchase commitments total approximately $67,000,000, which will lock in the price on a substantial portion of our fuel purchases through the end of calendar year 2007.
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures
SYSCO’s management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2007. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2007, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, SYSCO’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, except that SYSCO implemented a new financial consolidation system which was used to produce certain information contained in this quarterly report. The implementation was subject to various testing and review, including parallel testing in conjunction with the previous financial consolidation system. We believe that appropriate internal controls are in place with the new financial consolidation system.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
We are engaged in various legal proceedings which have arisen but have not been fully adjudicated. These proceedings, in the opinion of management, will not have a material adverse effect upon the consolidated financial statements of SYSCO when ultimately concluded.
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
Low Margin Business; Inflation and Economic Sensitivity
The foodservice distribution industry is characterized by relatively high inventory turnover with relatively low profit margins. We make a significant portion of our sales at prices that are based on the cost of products we sell plus a percentage markup. As a result, our profit levels may be negatively impacted during periods of product cost deflation, even though our gross profit percentage may remain relatively constant. Prolonged periods of product cost inflation also may have a negative impact on our profit margins and earnings to the extent such product cost increases are not passed on to customers due to resistance to higher prices and the timing needed to pass on such increases. The foodservice industry is sensitive to national and regional economic conditions. Inflation, fuel costs and other factors affecting consumer confidence and the frequency and amount spent by consumers for food prepared away from home may negatively impact our sales and operating results. SYSCO’s operating results are also sensitive to, and may be adversely affected by, other factors, including difficulties collecting accounts receivable, competitive price pressures, severe weather conditions and unexpected increases in fuel or other transportation-related costs. Although these factors have not had a material adverse impact on our past operations, there can be no assurance that one or more of these factors will not adversely affect future operating results.
Increased Fuel Costs
Increased fuel costs have recently had a negative impact on our results of operations. The high cost of fuel can negatively impact consumer confidence and discretionary spending and thus reduce the frequency and amount spent by consumers for food prepared away from home. The high cost of fuel can also increase the price paid by us for products as well as the costs incurred by us to deliver products to our customers. These factors in turn negatively impact our sales, margins, operating expenses and operating results.
Interruption of Supplies and Increases in Product Costs
We obtain substantially all of our foodservice and related products from third party suppliers. For the most part, we do not have long-term contracts with our suppliers committing them to provide products to us. Although our purchasing volume can provide leverage when dealing with suppliers, suppliers may not provide the foodservice products and supplies needed by us in the quantities and at the prices requested. Because we do not control the actual production of the products we sell, we are also subject to delays caused by interruption in production and increases in product costs based on conditions outside of our control. These conditions include work slowdowns, work interruptions, strikes or other job actions by employees of suppliers, weather, crop conditions, transportation interruptions, unavailability of fuel or increases in fuel costs, competitive demands and natural disasters or other catastrophic events (including, but not limited to, the outbreak of avian flu or


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similar food-borne illnesses in the United States and Canada). Our inability to obtain adequate supplies of our foodservice and related products as a result of any of the foregoing factors or otherwise could mean that we could not fulfill our obligations to customers, and customers may turn to other distributors.
Baugh Supply Chain Cooperative Structure
The National Supply Chain project involved the creation of the Baugh Supply Chain Cooperative (BSCC) which administers a consolidated product procurement program to develop, obtain and ensure consistent quality food and non-food products. BSCC is a cooperative and taxed under subchapter T of the United States Internal Revenue Code. We believe that the deferred tax liabilities resulting from the business operations and legal ownership of BSCC are appropriate under the tax laws. However, if the application of the tax laws to the cooperative structure of BSCC were to be successfully challenged by any federal, state or local tax authority, we could be required to accelerate the payment of all or a portion of our income tax liabilities associated with BSCC that we otherwise had deferred until future periods and be liable for interest on such amounts. As of March 31, 2007, we have recorded deferred income tax liabilities of $825,000,000 related to the BSCC supply chain distributions. This amount represents the income tax liabilities related to BSCC that were accrued, but the payment had been deferred as of March 31, 2007. In addition, if it were determined that all amounts since the inception of BSCC were inappropriately deferred or that BSCC should have been a taxable entity, we estimate that in addition to making a current payment for amounts previously deferred (as discussed above), we may have additional liability (representing interest) that would be payable on the cumulative deferred balances ranging from $160,000,000 to $180,000,000, prior to federal income tax benefit, as of March 31, 2007. We calculated this amount based upon the amounts deferred since the inception of BSCC applying the applicable jurisdictions’ interest rates in effect each period. During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the IRS proposed adjustments related to the taxability of BSCC. We plan to vigorously protest these adjustments. We have reviewed the merits of the issues raised by the IRS and based upon such review, we believe that the resulting interest is not a probable liability and, accordingly, have not recorded any related amount in any period. If we were required to accelerate a significant portion of these deferred tax liabilities, we may be required to raise additional capital through debt financing or the issuance of equity or we may be required to forego or defer planned capital expenditures or share repurchases or a combination thereof and may be required to pay interest on amounts deferred.
Leverage and Debt Service
Because a substantial part of our growth historically has been the result of acquisitions and capital expansion, our continued growth depends, in large part, on our ability to continue this expansion. As a result, our inability to finance acquisitions and capital expenditures through borrowed funds could restrict our ability to expand. Moreover, any default under the documents governing the indebtedness of us could have a significant adverse effect on our cash flows, as well as the market value of our common stock. Further, our leveraged position may also increase our vulnerability to competitive pressures.


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Product Liability Claims
We, like any other seller of food, face the risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the use of products sold by SYSCO causes injury or illness. With respect to product liability claims, we believe we have sufficient primary or excess umbrella liability insurance. However, this insurance may not continue to be available at a reasonable cost, or, if available, may not be adequate to cover all of our liabilities. We generally seek contractual indemnification and insurance coverage from parties supplying our products, but this indemnification or insurance coverage is limited, as a practical matter, to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and the insured limits of any insurance provided by suppliers. If SYSCO does not have adequate insurance or contractual indemnification available, product liability relating to defective products could materially reduce our net earnings and earnings per share.
Reputation and Media Exposure
Maintaining a good reputation is critical to our business, particularly to selling SYSCO Brand products. Anything that damages that reputation (whether or not justified), including adverse publicity about the quality, safety or integrity of our products, could quickly affect our revenues and profits. Reports, whether true or not, of food-borne illnesses (such as e-coli, avian flu, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, hepatitis A, trichinosis or salmonella) and injuries caused by food tampering could also severely injure our reputation. If patrons of our restaurant customers become ill from food-borne illnesses, the customers could be forced to temporarily close restaurant locations and our sales would be correspondingly decreased. In addition, instances of food-borne illnesses or food tampering or other health concerns, even those unrelated to the use of SYSCO products, can result in negative publicity about the food service distribution industry and cause our sales to decrease dramatically.
Labor Relations and Availability of Qualified Labor
As of July 1, 2006, approximately 8,800 employees at 55 operating companies were members of 61 different local unions associated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and other labor organizations. In fiscal 2007, 16 agreements covering approximately 2,000 employees have expired or will expire. As of March 31, 2007, ten agreements have been successfully renegotiated. Failure of the operating companies to effectively renegotiate these contracts could result in work stoppages. Although our operating subsidiaries have not experienced any significant labor disputes or work stoppages to date, and we believe they have satisfactory relationships with their unions, a work stoppage due to failure of multiple operating subsidiaries to renegotiate union contracts could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our operations rely heavily on our employees, particularly drivers, and any shortage of qualified labor could significantly affect our business. Our recruiting and retention efforts and efforts to increase productivity gains may not be successful and there may be a shortage of qualified drivers in future periods. Any such shortage would decrease SYSCO’s ability to effectively serve our customers. Such a shortage would also likely lead to higher wages for employees and a corresponding reduction in our revenue and earnings.


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Multi-Employer Defined Benefit Pension Plans
We contribute to several multi-employer defined benefit pension plans based on obligations arising under collective bargaining agreements covering union-represented employees. Approximately 10% of our current employees are participants in such multi-employer plans. In fiscal 2006, our total contributions to these plans were approximately $29,796,000. During the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2007, total contributions to these plans were approximately $24,205,000.
We do not directly manage these multi-employer plans, which are generally managed by boards of trustees, half of whom are appointed by the unions and the other half by other contributing employers to the plan. Based upon the information available to us from plan administrators, we believe that some of these multi-employer plans are underfunded due partially to a decline in the value of the assets supporting these plans, a reduction in the number of actively participating members for whom employer contributions are required, and the level of benefits provided by the plans. In addition, the Pension Protection Act, enacted in August 2006, will require under-funded pension plans to improve their funding ratios within prescribed intervals based on the level of their under-funding, perhaps beginning as soon as 2008. As a result, our required contributions to these plans may increase in the future.
Under current law regarding multi-employer defined benefit plans, a plan’s termination, our voluntary withdrawal, or the mass withdrawal of all contributing employers from any under-funded multi-employer defined benefit plan would require us to make payments to the plan for our proportionate share of the multi-employer plan’s unfunded vested liabilities. Based on the information available from plan administrators, we estimate that our share of withdrawal liability on all the multi-employer plans we participate in, some of which appear to be under-funded, could be as much as $120,000,000. In addition, if a multi-employer defined benefit plan fails to satisfy certain minimum funding requirements, the IRS may impose a nondeductible excise tax of 5% on the amount of the accumulated funding deficiency for those employers contributing to the fund. Requirements to pay such increased contributions, withdrawal liability, and excise taxes could negatively impact our liquidity and results of operations.
Acquired Businesses
Historically, a portion of our growth has come through acquisitions. If we are unable to integrate acquired businesses successfully or realize anticipated economic, operational and other benefits and synergies in a timely manner, our earnings per share may decrease. Integration of an acquired business may be more difficult when we acquire a business in a market in which we have limited or no expertise, or with a culture different from SYSCO’s. A significant expansion of our business and operations, in terms of geography or magnitude, could strain our administrative and operational resources. Significant acquisitions may also require the issuance of material additional amounts of debt or equity, which could materially alter our debt to equity ratio, increase our interest expense and decrease earnings per share, and make it difficult for us to obtain favorable financing for other acquisitions or capital investments.


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Charter and Preferred Stock
Under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, SYSCO’s Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to 1.5 million shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval. Issuance of these shares could make it more difficult for anyone to acquire SYSCO without approval of the Board of Directors, depending on the rights and preferences of the stock issued. In addition, if anyone attempts to acquire SYSCO without approval of the Board of Directors of SYSCO, the existence of this undesignated preferred stock could allow the Board of Directors to adopt a shareholder rights plan without obtaining stockholder approval, which could result in substantial dilution to a potential acquiror. As a result, hostile takeover attempts that might result in an acquisition of SYSCO that could otherwise have been financially beneficial to our stockholders could be deterred.
Tax Audit
We received the final summary of proposed adjustments for our 2003 and 2004 federal income tax returns which were under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We have accrued our best estimate of the additional liability required related to certain positions which have been challenged by the IRS on which we believe it is probable that we will not prevail. During the third quarter, the IRS proposed adjustments for the company’s position as it relates to SYSCO’s affiliate, BSCC, as a cooperative structure. See further discussion within this section under the caption “Baugh Supply Chain Cooperative Structure”. While we currently believe we will prevail on defense of the disputed assessments, payment of such amounts upon final adjudication of any disputes, if material, could have an adverse effect on our financial results and cash flows.
Reliance on Technology
Our ability to decrease costs and increase profits, as well as our ability to serve customers most effectively, depends on the reliability of our technology network. We use software and other technology systems to load trucks in the most efficient manner to optimize the use of storage space and minimize the time spent at each stop. Any disruption to these computer systems could adversely impact our customer service, decrease the volume of our business and result in increased costs. While SYSCO has invested and continues to invest in technology security initiatives and disaster recovery plans, these measures cannot fully insulate us from technology disruption that could result in adverse effects on operations and profits.


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38

Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
We made the following share repurchases during the third quarter of fiscal 2007:
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
                                 
                    (c) Total Number of        
                    Shares Purchased as     (d) Maximum Number  
            (b) Average     Part of Publicly     of Shares that May Yet  
    (a) Total Number of     Price Paid per     Announced Plans or     Be Purchased Under  
Period   Shares Purchased(1)     Share     Programs     the Plans or Programs  
Month #1 Dec. 31 — Jan. 27
    2,189,894     $ 36.12       2,125,000       10,575,200  
Month #2 Jan. 28 — Feb. 24
    776,119       35.40       775,000       9,800,200  
Month #3 Feb. 25 — Mar. 31
    21,540       32.90             9,800,200  
Total
    2,987,553       35.91       2,900,000       9,800,200  
 
(1)   The total number of shares purchased includes 64,894, 1,119 and 21,540 shares tendered by individuals in connection with stock option exercises in Month #1, Month #2 and Month #3, respectively.
On November 10, 2005, we announced that the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of 20,000,000 shares. Pursuant to this repurchase program, shares may be acquired in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at our discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors.
In July 2004, the Board of Directors authorized us to enter into agreements from time to time to extend our ongoing repurchase program to include repurchases during company announced “blackout periods” of such securities in compliance with Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
On December 15, 2006 we entered into a stock purchase plan with The Bank of New York to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of SYSCO common stock as authorized under the November 2005 repurchase program pursuant to Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act. A total of 3,775,000 shares were purchased between December 15, 2006 and January 31, 2007, including during company “blackout periods.” By its terms, the agreement terminated on January 31, 2007.
As of April 28, 2007, there were 9,800,200 shares remaining available for repurchase under the November 2005 repurchase program.
Item 3.   Defaults upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None


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39

Item 5.   Other Information
None
Item 6.   Exhibits
     
3.1
  Restated Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
3.2
  Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation increasing authorized shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2000 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
3.3
  Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation increasing authorized shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(e) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2003 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
3.4
  Form of Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 29, 1996 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
3.5
  Amended and Restated Bylaws of Sysco Corporation dated February 8, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 29, 2001 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.1
  Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of June 15, 1995, between Sysco Corporation and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed June 6, 1995 (File No. 33-60023).
 
   
4.2
  Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 1996, between Sysco Corporation and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Trustee as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(f) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 29, 1996 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.3
  Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 25, 1997, between Sysco Corporation and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(g) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.4
  Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 25, 1997, between Sysco Corporation and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.5
  Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 27, 1998 between Sysco Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 27, 1998 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.6
  Sixth Supplemental Indenture, including form of Note, dated April 5, 2002 between Sysco Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National Association


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40

     
 
  (formerly First Union National Bank of North Carolina), as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K dated April 5, 2002 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.7
  Seventh Supplemental Indenture, including form of Note, dated March 5, 2004 between Sysco Corporation, as Issuer, and Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly First Union National Bank of North Carolina), as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(j) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 27, 2004 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.8
  Eighth Supplemental Indenture, including form of Note, dated September 22, 2005 between Sysco Corporation, as Issuer, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 to Form 8-K filed on September 20, 2005 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.9
  Indenture dated May 23, 2002 between Sysco International, Co., Sysco Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed August 21, 2002 (File No. 333-98489).
 
   
†*10.1
  First Amendment to the 2004 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan dated February 9, 2007.
 
   
*15.1
  Report from Ernst & Young LLP dated May 10, 2007, re: unaudited financial statements.
 
   
*15.2
  Acknowledgment letter from Ernst & Young LLP.
 
   
*31.1
  CEO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
*31.2
  CFO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
*32.1
  CEO Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
*32.2
  CFO Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  Executive Compensation Arrangement pursuant to 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K
 
*   Filed herewith


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41

SIGNATURES
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.
             
    SYSCO CORPORATION
(Registrant)
   
 
           
 
  By   /s/ RICHARD J. SCHNIEDERS    
 
           
 
      Richard J. Schnieders    
 
      Chairman of the Board,    
 
      Chief Executive Officer and President    
Date: May 10, 2007
             
 
  By   /s/ JOHN K. STUBBLEFIELD, JR.
 
   
 
      John K. Stubblefield, Jr.    
 
      Executive Vice President, Finance and    
 
      Chief Financial Officer    
Date: May 10, 2007
             
 
  By   /s/ G. MITCHELL ELMER
 
   
 
      G. Mitchell Elmer    
 
      Vice President, Controller and    
 
      Chief Accounting Officer    
Date: May 10, 2007


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EXHIBIT INDEX
     
NO.   DESCRIPTION
3.1
  Restated Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
3.2
  Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation increasing authorized shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 1, 2000 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
3.3
  Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation increasing authorized shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(e) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2003 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
3.4
  Form of Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 29, 1996 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
3.5
  Amended and Restated Bylaws of Sysco Corporation dated February 8, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 29, 2001 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.1
  Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of June 15, 1995, between Sysco Corporation and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed June 6, 1995 (File No. 33-60023).
 
   
4.2
  Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 1996, between Sysco Corporation and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Trustee as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(f) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 29, 1996 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.3
  Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 25, 1997, between Sysco Corporation and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(g) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.4
  Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 25, 1997, between Sysco Corporation and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 28, 1997 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.5
  Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 27, 1998 between Sysco Corporation and First Union National Bank, Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(h) to Form 10-K for the year ended June 27, 1998 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.6
  Sixth Supplemental Indenture, including form of Note, dated April 5, 2002 between Sysco Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly First Union National Bank of North Carolina), as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K dated April 5, 2002 (File No. 1-6544).


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NO.   DESCRIPTION
4.7
  Seventh Supplemental Indenture, including form of Note, dated March 5, 2004 between Sysco Corporation, as Issuer, and Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly First Union National Bank of North Carolina), as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(j) to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 27, 2004 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.8
  Eighth Supplemental Indenture, including form of Note, dated September 22, 2005 between Sysco Corporation, as Issuer, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 to Form 8-K filed on September 20, 2005 (File No. 1-6544).
 
   
4.9
  Indenture dated May 23, 2002 between Sysco International, Co., Sysco Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed August 21, 2002 (File No. 333-98489).
 
   
†*10.1
  First Amendment to the 2004 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan dated February 9, 2007.
 
   
*15.1
  Report from Ernst & Young LLP dated May 10, 2007, re: unaudited financial statements.
 
   
*15.2
  Acknowledgment letter from Ernst & Young LLP.
 
   
*31.1
  CEO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
*31.2
  CFO Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
*32.1
  CEO Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
*32.2
  CFO Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  Executive Compensation Arrangement pursuant to 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K
 
*   Filed herewith