GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following table displays intangible assets as of November 30:
  
20252024
(millions)Gross
carrying
amount
Accumulated
amortization
Gross
carrying
amount
Accumulated
amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets$546.9 $302.6 $537.5 $262.5 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Goodwill5,301.3 — 5,227.5 — 
Brand names and trademarks3,048.8 — 3,043.9 — 
 8,350.1 — 8,271.4 — 
Total goodwill and intangible assets$8,897.0 $302.6 $8,808.9 $262.5 
Intangible asset amortization expense was $35.2 million, $35.0 million, and $34.9 million for 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. At November 30, 2025, definite-lived intangible assets had a weighted-average remaining life of approximately 8 years.
Amortization expense for the next five years, based on intangible asset balances as of November 30, 2025, is estimated to be as follows:
2026$35.7 
202733.9 
202832.7 
202928.0 
203025.9 
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the years ended November 30 were as follows:
  
20252024
(millions)ConsumerFlavor SolutionsConsumerFlavor Solutions
Beginning of year$3,583.1 $1,644.4 $3,609.6 $1,650.5 
Acquisition1.6 1.5 — — 
Foreign currency fluctuations60.9 9.8 (26.5)(6.1)
End of year$3,645.6 $1,655.7 $3,583.1 $1,644.4 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Jan 22, 2026Showing above
2024Jan 23, 2025
2023Jan 25, 2024
2022Jan 26, 2023
2021Jan 27, 2022
2020Jan 28, 2021
2019Jan 28, 2020
2018Jan 25, 2019
2017Jan 25, 2018
2016Jan 25, 2017
2015Jan 28, 2016

About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures

Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.

Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.