Equity Method Investments |
6 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug. 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS | EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS Our equity method investments are as follows:
(1)Reflects our ownership interest in Canopy on a prorated basis for the May 2020 Canopy Investment, see defined term below.
(2)The other equity method investments balance at August 31, 2020, and February 29, 2020, excludes investments reclassified to assets held for sale.
Canopy Equity Method Investment
In November 2017, we acquired 18.9 million common shares, which represented a 9.9% ownership interest in Ontario, Canada-based Canopy Growth Corporation (the “November 2017 Canopy Investment”), a public company and leading provider of medicinal and recreational cannabis products (“Canopy”), plus warrants which gave us the option to purchase an additional 18.9 million common shares of Canopy (the “November 2017 Canopy Warrants”). The November 2017 Canopy Investment was accounted for at fair value from the date of investment through October 31, 2018. From November 1, 2018, the November 2017 Canopy Investment has been accounted for under the equity method. The November 2017 Canopy Warrants were accounted for at fair value from the date of investment through April 30, 2020. See “Canopy Equity Method Investment” below.
In November 2018, we increased our ownership interest in Canopy by acquiring an additional 104.5 million common shares (the “November 2018 Canopy Investment”) (see “Canopy Equity Method Investment” below), plus warrants which give us the option to purchase an additional 139.7 million common shares of Canopy (the “November 2018 Canopy Warrants”, and together with the November 2018 Canopy Investment, the “November 2018 Canopy Transaction”) for C$5,078.7 million, or $3,869.9 million. On November 1, 2018, our ownership interest in Canopy increased to 36.6% which allowed us to exercise significant influence, but not control, over Canopy.
In May 2020, we exercised the November 2017 Canopy Warrants at an exercise price of C$12.98 per warrant share for C$245.0 million, or $173.9 million (the “May 2020 Canopy Investment”). The May 2020 Canopy Investment increased our ownership interest in Canopy to 38.6% upon exercise. We entered into foreign currency forward contracts to fix the U.S. dollar cost of the May 2020 Canopy Investment. For the six months ended August 31, 2020, we recognized net losses on the foreign currency forward contracts of $7.5 million, in selling, general, and administrative expenses within our consolidated results of operations. The payment at maturity of the derivative instruments is reported as cash flows from investing activities in investments in equity method investees and securities for the six months ended August 31, 2020.
We account for the November 2017 Canopy Investment, the November 2018 Canopy Investment, and the May 2020 Canopy Investment, each of which represents an investment in common shares of Canopy, collectively, under the equity method (the “Canopy Equity Method Investment”). Equity in earnings (losses) from the Canopy Equity Method Investment and related activities (see table below) include, among other items, restructuring and other strategic business development costs, the amortization of the fair value adjustments associated with the definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, the flow through of inventory step-up, unrealized gains (losses) associated with changes in our Canopy ownership percentage resulting from periodic equity issuances made by Canopy, and our share of Canopy’s additional loss resulting from the June 2019 Warrant Modification (as defined below) of $409.0 million (the “June 2019 Warrant Modification Loss”).
Amounts included in our consolidated results of operations for each period are as follows:
In June 2019, the Canopy shareholders approved the modification of the terms of the November 2018 Canopy Warrants and certain other rights (the “June 2019 Warrant Modification”), and the other required approvals necessary for the modifications to be effective were granted. The November 2018 Canopy Warrants now consist of three tranches of warrants, including 88.5 million warrants expiring November 1, 2023 (the “Tranche A Warrants”) which are currently exercisable, 38.4 million warrants expiring November 1, 2026 (the “Tranche B Warrants”), and 12.8 million warrants expiring November 1, 2026 (the “Tranche C Warrants”, and collectively with the Tranche A Warrants and the Tranche B Warrants, the “November 2018 Canopy Warrants”). These changes are the result of Canopy’s intention to acquire Acreage Holdings, Inc. (“Acreage”) upon U.S. Federal cannabis legalization, subject to certain conditions (the “Acreage Transaction”). In connection with the Acreage Transaction, Canopy has a call option to acquire 100% of the shares of Acreage (the “Acreage Financial Instrument”).
The other rights obtained in June 2019 in connection with the Acreage Transaction include a share repurchase credit and the ability to purchase Canopy common shares on the open market or in private agreement transactions. If Canopy has not purchased the lesser of 27,378,866 Canopy common shares, or C$1,583.0 million worth of Canopy common shares for cancellation between April 18, 2019 and two-years after the full exercise of the Tranche A Warrants, we will be credited an amount that will reduce the aggregate exercise price otherwise payable upon each exercise of the Tranche B Warrants and Tranche C Warrants. The credit will be an amount equal to the difference between C$1,583.0 million and the actual price paid by Canopy in purchasing its common shares for cancellation. If we choose to purchase Canopy common shares on the open market or in private agreement with existing holders, the number of Tranche B Warrants or Tranche C Warrants shall be decreased by one for each Canopy common share acquired, up to an aggregate maximum reduction of 20 million warrants. The likelihood of receiving the share repurchase credit if we were to fully exercise the Tranche A Warrants is remote, therefore, no fair value has been assigned.
In September 2020, the Acreage shareholders approved the modification of the Acreage Transaction and related Acreage Financial Instrument (the “New Acreage Agreement”), and the other required regulatory approvals necessary for the modification to be effective were granted. The New Acreage Agreement will reduce (i) the ratio of Canopy shares required to be exchanged for Acreage shares upon U.S. Federal cannabis legalization and (ii) the number of Acreage shares subject to the fixed exchange ratio from 100% to 70%, calculated as a percentage of Acreage’s issued and outstanding shares. The remaining 30% of Acreage shares will be subject to a floating exchange ratio and Canopy, in its sole discretion, will have the option to acquire these shares with Canopy shares or cash. The issuance of Canopy shares in exchange for Acreage shares that would occur upon U.S. Federal cannabis legalization would decrease our ownership interest in Canopy and could have a significant effect on our share of Canopy’s reported earnings or losses.
Canopy has various convertible equity securities outstanding, including primarily equity awards granted to its employees, and options and warrants issued to various third parties, including our November 2018 Canopy Warrants, Canopy Debt Securities, and the Acreage Financial Instrument. As of August 31, 2020, the conversion of Canopy equity securities held by its employees and/or held by other third parties, excluding our November 2018 Canopy Warrants, Canopy Debt Securities, and the Acreage Financial Instrument, would not have a significant effect on our share of Canopy’s reported earnings or losses. Additionally, under an amended and restated investor rights agreement, we have the option to purchase additional common shares of Canopy at the then-current price of the underlying equity security to allow us to maintain our relative ownership interest. If we exercised all of our November 2018 Canopy Warrants, it could have a significant effect on our share of Canopy’s reported earnings or losses and our ownership interest in Canopy would be expected to increase to greater than 50%. If Canopy
exercised the Acreage Financial Instrument under existing terms prior to the modification discussed above, which would require the issuance of Canopy shares, it could have a significant effect on our share of Canopy’s reported earnings or losses and our ownership interest in Canopy would decrease and no longer be expected to be greater than 50%.
As of August 31, 2020, the exercise of all Canopy warrants held by us would have required a cash outflow of approximately $5.9 billion based on the terms of the November 2018 Canopy Warrants. Additionally, as of August 31, 2020, the fair value of the Canopy Equity Method Investment was $2,345.3 million based on the closing price of the underlying equity security as of that date. When compared to the carrying value of the Canopy Equity Method Investment, this fair value indicates that the investment was impaired by $367.9 million. We have evaluated the Canopy Equity Method Investment as of August 31, 2020, and determined that there was not an other-than-temporary-impairment. Our conclusion was based on several contributing factors, including: (i) the period of time for which the fair value has been less than the carrying value, (ii) an expectation that Canopy’s operating results will improve, (iii) an expectation that the Canopy stock price will recover in the near term, and (iv) our ability and intent to hold the investment until that recovery. We will continue to review the Canopy Equity Method Investment for an other-than-temporary impairment. There may be a future impairment of our Canopy Equity Method Investment if Canopy’s stock price does not recover in the near term or our expectations about Canopy’s prospective operating results and cash flows decline, which could be influenced by a variety of factors including adverse market conditions and the economic impact of COVID-19.
The following table presents summarized financial information for Canopy presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We recognize our equity in earnings (losses) for Canopy on a two-month lag. Accordingly, we recognized our share of Canopy’s earnings (losses) for the periods January through June 2020 and January through June 2019 in our six months ended August 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019, results, respectively. We recognized our share of Canopy’s earnings (losses) for the periods April through June 2020 and April through June 2019 in our three months ended August 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019, results, respectively. The amounts shown represent 100% of Canopy’s results of operations for the respective periods, however, the results of operations for the six months and three months ended August 31, 2019, exclude the impact of the June 2019 Warrant Modification Loss because it was recorded by Canopy within equity. The six months and three months ended August 31, 2020, includes costs designed to improve Canopy’s organizational focus, streamline operations, and align production capability with projected demand.
Other equity method investment
Booker Vineyard
In April 2020, we invested in My Favorite Neighbor, LLC, also known as Booker Vineyard, a super-luxury, direct-to-consumer focused wine business (“Booker Vineyard”) which we account for under the equity method. We recognize our share of their equity in earnings (losses) in our consolidated financial statements in the Wine and Spirits segment.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||