Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) 10-Q 2 Apr 20 2020 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Feb. 29, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36759
Entity Registrant Name	WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	47-1758322
Entity Address, Address Line One	108 Wilmot Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Deerfield
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60015
City Area Code	847
Local Phone Number	315-2500
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		877,220,195
Entity Central Index Key	0001618921
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	WBA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
2.875% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	2.875% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2020
Trading Symbol	WBA20
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
3.600% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2025
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	3.600% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2025
Trading Symbol	WBA25
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
2.125% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2026
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	2.125% Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. notes due 2026
Trading Symbol	WBA26
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 792	$ 1,023
Accounts receivable, net	7,572	7,226
Inventories	9,652	9,333
Other current assets	893	1,118
Total current assets	18,909	18,700
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	13,482	13,478
Operating lease right-of-use assets	21,755	0
Goodwill	16,788	16,560
Intangible assets, net	10,929	10,876
Equity method investments (see note 5)	6,921	6,851
Other non-current assets	1,218	1,133
Total non-current assets	71,094	48,899
Total assets	90,003	67,598
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	5,984	5,738
Trade accounts payable (see note 16)	14,968	14,341
Operating lease obligation	2,278	0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	5,408	5,474
Income taxes	23	216
Total current liabilities	28,662	25,769
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt	10,625	11,098
Operating lease obligation	21,959	0
Deferred income taxes	1,637	1,785
Other non-current liabilities	2,786	4,795
Total non-current liabilities	37,007	17,678
Commitments and contingencies (see note 10)
Equity:
Preferred stock $.01 par value; authorized 32 million shares, none issued	0	0
Common stock $.01 par value; authorized 3.2 billion shares; issued 1,172,513,618 at February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019	12	12
Paid-in capital	10,689	10,639
Retained earnings	36,351	35,815
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,407)	(3,897)
Treasury stock, at cost; 292,116,419 shares at February 29, 2020 and 277,126,116 shares at August 31, 2019	(19,925)	(19,057)
Total Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. shareholders’ equity	23,720	23,512
Noncontrolling interests	615	641
Total equity	24,334	24,152
Total liabilities and equity	$ 90,003	$ 67,598

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANC_2

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Feb. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	32,000,000	32,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized shares (in shares)	3,200,000,000	3,200,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	1,172,513,618	1,172,513,618
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	292,116,419	277,126,116

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMEN

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common stock	Treasury stock amount	Paid-in capital	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Retained earnings	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2018		952,133,418
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2018	$ 26,689	$ 12	$ (15,047)	$ 10,493	$ (3,002)	$ 33,551	$ 682
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	2,238					2,279	(41)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	297				290		7
Dividends declared	(823)					(820)	(3)
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)		(42,097,919)
Treasury stock purchases	(3,113)		(3,113)
Employee stock purchase and option plans (in shares)		4,140,943
Employee stock purchase and option plans	138		124	14
Stock-based compensation	63			63
Other	11				7	6	(2)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Feb. 28, 2019		914,176,442
Ending Balance at Feb. 28, 2019	25,413	$ 12	(18,036)	10,571	(2,705)	34,928	643
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2018		943,444,736
Beginning Balance at Nov. 30, 2018	26,263	$ 12	(15,862)	10,522	(3,231)	34,168	654
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	1,138					1,156	(18)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	529				519		10
Dividends declared	(403)					(402)	(1)
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)		(30,103,362)
Treasury stock purchases	(2,201)		(2,201)
Employee stock purchase and option plans (in shares)		835,068
Employee stock purchase and option plans	37		25	12
Stock-based compensation	37			37
Other	11				7	6	(2)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Feb. 28, 2019		914,176,442
Ending Balance at Feb. 28, 2019	25,413	$ 12	(18,036)	10,571	(2,705)	34,928	643
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Aug. 31, 2019		895,387,502
Beginning Balance at Aug. 31, 2019	24,152	$ 12	(19,057)	10,639	(3,897)	35,815	641
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	1,793					1,791	2
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	505				490		15
Dividends declared	(855)					(812)	(43)
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)		(16,460,094)
Treasury stock purchases	(913)		(913)
Employee stock purchase and option plans (in shares)		1,469,791
Employee stock purchase and option plans	28		45	(17)
Stock-based compensation	67			67
Ending Balance (in shares) at Feb. 29, 2020		880,397,199
Ending Balance at Feb. 29, 2020	24,334	$ 12	(19,925)	10,689	(3,407)	36,351	615
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Nov. 30, 2019		888,089,745
Beginning Balance at Nov. 30, 2019	24,314	$ 12	(19,496)	10,648	(3,313)	35,810	653
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net earnings (loss)	952					946	5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(94)				(94)
Dividends declared	(448)					(404)	(43)
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)		(7,996,028)
Treasury stock purchases	(440)		(440)
Employee stock purchase and option plans (in shares)		303,482
Employee stock purchase and option plans	13		10	3
Stock-based compensation	38			38
Ending Balance (in shares) at Feb. 29, 2020		880,397,199
Ending Balance at Feb. 29, 2020	$ 24,334	$ 12	$ (19,925)	$ 10,689	$ (3,407)	$ 36,351	$ 615

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEM_2

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 35,820	$ 34,528	$ 70,160	$ 68,321
Cost of sales	28,307	26,773	55,384	52,925
Gross profit	7,513	7,754	14,776	15,395
Selling, general and administrative expenses	6,308	6,320	12,570	12,599
Equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen	28	83	41	121
Operating income	1,233	1,517	2,247	2,918
Other income	25	19	60	45
Earnings before interest and income tax provision	1,259	1,536	2,307	2,963
Interest expense, net	162	181	328	342
Earnings before income tax provision	1,097	1,356	1,979	2,621
Income tax provision	160	226	193	406
Post tax earnings from other equity method investments	15	9	7	24
Net earnings	952	1,138	1,793	2,238
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	(18)	2	(41)
Net earnings attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.	$ 946	$ 1,156	$ 1,791	$ 2,279
Net earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 1.25	$ 2.02	$ 2.43
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 1.24	$ 2.01	$ 2.42
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	884.5	928.4	887.9	938.3
Diluted (in shares)	885.5	930.7	889.1	941.1

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEM_3

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings	$ 952	$ 1,138	$ 1,793	$ 2,238
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension/postretirement obligations	(1)	(2)	(9)	(6)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	1	(1)	1	2
Net investment hedges (see note 13)	21	(12)	(21)	(12)
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of equity method investments	4	(2)	(5)	(1)
Currency translation adjustments	(119)	553	539	321
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(94)	536	505	304
Total comprehensive income	857	1,674	2,299	2,542
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	(8)	17	(34)
Comprehensive income attributable to Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.	$ 852	$ 1,682	$ 2,281	$ 2,576

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEM_4

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 1,793	$ 2,238
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	969	990
Deferred income taxes	(45)	161
Stock compensation expense	67	63
Equity (earnings) from equity method investments	(47)	(145)
Other	37	155
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(324)	(1,164)
Inventories	(242)	(557)
Other current assets	56	(61)
Trade accounts payable	555	682
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	139	(542)
Income taxes	(355)	(522)
Other non-current assets and liabilities	(119)	(104)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,484	1,195
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(705)	(793)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	333
Proceeds from sale of other assets	37	54
Business, investment and asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(286)	(347)
Other	3	41
Net cash used for investing activities	(617)	(1,046)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in short-term debt with maturities of 3 months or less	(655)	336
Proceeds from debt	9,860	6,414
Payments of debt	(9,465)	(3,117)
Stock purchases	(913)	(3,113)
Proceeds related to employee stock plans	28	138
Cash dividends paid	(857)	(841)
Other	(82)	67
Net cash used for financing activities	(2,085)	(115)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1)	0
Changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(218)	34
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	1,207	975
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 988	$ 1,009

Accounting policies

Accounting policies	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting policies	Accounting policies Basis of presentation The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (“Walgreens Boots Alliance” or the “Company”) included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company holds a controlling interest. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for equity investments in less than majority-owned companies if the investment provides the ability to exercise significant influence. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included herein are unaudited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Walgreens Boots Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019. In the opinion of management, the unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for the interim periods presented include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the results for such interim periods. The influence of certain holidays, seasonality, foreign currency rates, changes in vendor, payer and customer relationships and terms, strategic transactions including acquisitions, changes in laws and general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates and other factors on the Company’s operations and net earnings for any period may not be comparable to the same period in previous years.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions Acquisition of certain Rite Aid Corporation ( “ Rite Aid ” ) assets Pursuant to an amended and restated purchase agreement entered into in September 2017, the Company acquired the second of three distribution centers including related inventory from Rite Aid during the six months ended February 29, 2020 for cash consideration of $63 million. The Company acquired the first distribution center and related inventory from Rite Aid for cash consideration of $61 million in fiscal 2019. The transition of the third distribution center and related inventory remains subject to the closing conditions set forth in the amended and restated asset purchase agreement. Other acquisitions The Company acquired certain prescription files and related pharmacy inventory in Retail Pharmacy USA for the aggregate purchase price of $60 million and $140 million during the three and six months ended February 29, 2020, respectively.

Exit and disposal activities

Exit and disposal activities	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Exit and disposal activities	Exit and disposal activities Transformational Cost Management Program On December 20, 2018, the Company announced a transformational cost management program that was expected to deliver in excess of $1.0 billion of annual cost savings by fiscal 2022 (the “Transformational Cost Management Program”). In April 2019, the Company announced that it had increased the expected annual cost savings to in excess of $1.5 billion by fiscal 2022, which was further increased to in excess of $1.8 billion in October 2019. The Transformational Cost Management Program, which is multi-faceted and includes divisional optimization initiatives, global smart spending, global smart organization and the transformation of the Company’s information technology (IT) capabilities, is designed to help the Company achieve increased cost efficiencies. To date, the Company has taken actions across all aspects of the Transformational Cost Management Program. The actions under the Transformational Cost Management Program focus on all reportable segments and the Company’s global functions. Divisional optimization within each of the Company’s segments includes activities such as optimization of stores which includes plans to close approximately 200 stores in the United Kingdom and approximately 200 locations in the United States. The Company currently estimates that the Transformational Cost Management Program will result in cumulative pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results of approximately $1.9 billion to $2.4 billion, of which $1.6 billion to $2.0 billion are expected to be recorded as exit and disposal activities. In addition to these impacts, as a result of the actions related to store closures taken under the Transformational Cost Management Program, the Company recorded $508 million of transition adjustments to decrease retained earnings due to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard (Topic 842) that became effective on September 1, 2019. See note 17, new accounting pronouncements, for additional information. Since the inception of the Transformational Cost Management Program to February 29, 2020, the Company has recognized cumulative pre-tax charges to its financial results in accordance with GAAP of $605 million, which were primarily recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. These charges included $36 million related to lease obligations and other real estate costs, $275 million in asset impairments, $236 million in employee severance and business transition costs and $58 million of information technology transformation and other exit costs. Transformational Cost Management Program charges are recognized as the costs are incurred over time in accordance with GAAP. The Company treats charges related to the Transformational Cost Management Program as special items impacting comparability of results in its earnings disclosures. Costs related to exit and disposal activities under the Transformational Cost Management Program for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 were as follows (in millions): Three months ended February 29, 2020 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs $ 9 $ 1 $ — $ 10 Asset impairments 3 — — 3 Employee severance and business transition costs 39 29 4 72 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 9 13 1 24 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 60 $ 43 $ 5 $ 109 Six months ended February 29, 2020 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs $ 10 $ 1 $ — $ 11 Asset impairments 11 3 — 15 Employee severance and business transition costs 72 30 9 111 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 16 17 2 36 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 110 $ 52 $ 12 $ 173 Three months ended February 28, 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Asset impairments — 26 85 111 Employee severance and other exit costs 14 14 11 39 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 14 $ 40 $ 96 $ 150 Six months ended February 28, 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Asset impairments — 32 85 117 Employee severance and other exit costs 16 35 11 62 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 16 $ 67 $ 96 $ 179 The changes in liabilities and assets related to the exit and disposal activities under Transformational Cost Management Program include the following (in millions): Lease obligations and other real estate costs Asset Impairments Employee severance and business transition costs Information technology transformation and other exit costs Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ 17 $ — $ 57 $ 4 $ 78 Costs 11 15 111 36 173 Payments (1) — (59) (10) (70) Other - non cash 3 (15) — (8) (20) ASC 842 Leases adoption 1 (4) — — — (4) Currency translation adjustment 1 — — — 1 Balance at February 29, 2020 $ 27 $ — $ 110 $ 22 $ 158 1 Represents liability for facility closings and related lease termination charges recorded as an offset to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 4, leases and note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information. Store Optimization Program On October 24, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to implement a program (the “Store Optimization Program”) to optimize store locations through the planned closure of approximately 600 stores and related assets within the Company’s Retail Pharmacy USA segment upon completion of the acquisition of certain stores and related assets from Rite Aid. As of the date of this report, the Company expects to close approximately 750 stores and related assets, of which the majority have been closed as part of this program. The actions under the Store Optimization Program commenced in March 2018 and are expected to be complete by end of fiscal 2020. The Company currently estimates that it will recognize cumulative pre-tax charges to its GAAP financial results of approximately $400 million, compared to the Company's previously stated expectation of $350 million, of which $335 million have been recorded to date, primarily within selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company expects to incur charges of approximately $190 million for lease obligations and other real estate costs, of which $159 million have been recorded to date and approximately $210 million for employee severance and other exit costs of which $176 million have been recorded to date. The Company estimates that substantially all of these cumulative pre-tax charges will result in cash expenditures. Store Optimization Program charges are recognized as the costs are incurred over time in accordance with GAAP. The Company treats charges related to the Store Optimization Program as special items impacting comparability of results in its earnings disclosures. Costs related to the Store Optimization Program for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 were as follows (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Lease obligations and other real estate costs $ 18 $ 9 $ 21 $ 2 Employee severance and other exit costs 12 22 18 49 Total costs $ 30 $ 31 $ 39 $ 51 The changes in liabilities related to the Store Optimization Program include the following (in millions): Lease obligations and other real estate costs Employee severance and other exit costs Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ 407 $ 22 $ 429 Costs 21 18 39 Payments (18) (32) (50) Other - non cash (1) (5) (6) ASC 842 Leases adoption 1 (378) — (378) Balance at February 29, 2020 $ 31 $ 3 $ 34 1 Represents liability for facility closings and related lease termination charges recorded as an offset to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 4, leases and note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information. Cost Transformation Program On April 8, 2015, the Walgreens Boots Alliance Board of Directors approved a plan to implement a restructuring program (the “Cost Transformation Program”) as part of an initiative to reduce costs and increase operating efficiencies. The Cost Transformation Program implemented and built on the cost-reduction initiative previously announced by the Company on August 6, 2014 and included plans to close stores across the United States; reorganize corporate and field operations; drive operating efficiencies; and streamline information technology and other functions. The actions under the Cost Transformation Program focused primarily on the Retail Pharmacy USA segment, but included activities from all segments. The Company completed the Cost Transformation Program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The liabilities related to the Cost Transformation Program declined by $382 million representing liability for facility closings and related lease termination charges recorded as an offset to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. The remaining liabilities as of February 29, 2020 were not material.

Leases

Leases	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases The Company leases certain retail stores, warehouses, distribution centers, office space, land and equipment. For leases in the United States, the initial lease term is typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options typically at five Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows (in millions): February 29, 2020 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 21,755 Operating lease obligations - current 2,278 Operating lease obligations - non current 21,959 Total operating lease obligations $ 24,237 Finance Leases: Right-of-use assets included in: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 802 Lease obligations included in: Accrued expenses and other liabilities 46 Other non-current liabilities 1,032 Total finance lease obligations $ 1,078 The components of lease costs were as follows (in millions): Three months ended February 29, 2020 Six months ended Operating lease cost Fixed $ 841 $ 1,670 Variable 1 208 428 Finance lease cost Amortization $ 10 $ 19 Interest 14 28 Sublease income (16) (31) 1 Includes real estate property taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and rental payments based on sales volume. Other supplemental information were as follows (in millions): Six months ended February 29, 2020 Gains on sale-leaseback transactions 1 $ 140 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 1,677 Operating cash flows from finance leases 24 Financing cash flows from finance leases 23 Total $ 1,724 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations: Operating leases $ 1,313 Finance leases 65 Total $ 1,378 1 Recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. For the three months ended February 29, 2020 gain on sales-leaseback was $63 million. Average lease term and discount rate as of February 29, 2020 were as follows: February 29, 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term in years: Operating leases 10.9 Finance leases 21.1 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 4.94 % Finance leases 5.32 % The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of February 29, 2020 were as follows (in millions): Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2020 (Remaining period) $ 48 $ 1,712 2021 95 3,340 2022 92 3,176 2023 89 3,021 2024 89 2,865 2025 87 2,690 Later 1,218 14,682 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,718 $ 31,486 Less: Present value discount (640) (7,249) Lease liability $ 1,078 $ 24,237
Leases	Leases The Company leases certain retail stores, warehouses, distribution centers, office space, land and equipment. For leases in the United States, the initial lease term is typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options typically at five Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows (in millions): February 29, 2020 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 21,755 Operating lease obligations - current 2,278 Operating lease obligations - non current 21,959 Total operating lease obligations $ 24,237 Finance Leases: Right-of-use assets included in: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 802 Lease obligations included in: Accrued expenses and other liabilities 46 Other non-current liabilities 1,032 Total finance lease obligations $ 1,078 The components of lease costs were as follows (in millions): Three months ended February 29, 2020 Six months ended Operating lease cost Fixed $ 841 $ 1,670 Variable 1 208 428 Finance lease cost Amortization $ 10 $ 19 Interest 14 28 Sublease income (16) (31) 1 Includes real estate property taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and rental payments based on sales volume. Other supplemental information were as follows (in millions): Six months ended February 29, 2020 Gains on sale-leaseback transactions 1 $ 140 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 1,677 Operating cash flows from finance leases 24 Financing cash flows from finance leases 23 Total $ 1,724 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations: Operating leases $ 1,313 Finance leases 65 Total $ 1,378 1 Recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. For the three months ended February 29, 2020 gain on sales-leaseback was $63 million. Average lease term and discount rate as of February 29, 2020 were as follows: February 29, 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term in years: Operating leases 10.9 Finance leases 21.1 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 4.94 % Finance leases 5.32 % The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of February 29, 2020 were as follows (in millions): Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2020 (Remaining period) $ 48 $ 1,712 2021 95 3,340 2022 92 3,176 2023 89 3,021 2024 89 2,865 2025 87 2,690 Later 1,218 14,682 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,718 $ 31,486 Less: Present value discount (640) (7,249) Lease liability $ 1,078 $ 24,237

Equity method investments

Equity method investments	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity method investments	Equity method investments Equity method investments as of February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019, were as follows (in millions, except percentages): February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Carrying value Ownership percentage Carrying value Ownership percentage AmerisourceBergen $ 5,206 28% $ 5,211 27% Others 1,715 8% - 50% 1,640 8% - 50% Total $ 6,921 $ 6,851 AmerisourceBergen Corporation (“AmerisourceBergen”) investment As of February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019, the Company owned 56,854,867 AmerisourceBergen common shares, representing approximately 28% and 27%, respectively, of its outstanding common stock, based on the most recent share count publicly reported by AmerisourceBergen. The Company accounts for its equity investment in AmerisourceBergen using the equity method of accounting, with the net earnings attributable to the Company’s investment being classified within the operating income of its Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment. Due to the timing and availability of financial information of AmerisourceBergen, the Company accounts for this equity method investment on a financial reporting lag of two months. Equity earnings from AmerisourceBergen are reported as a separate line in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. The financial performance of AmerisourceBergen, including any charges which may arise relating to its ongoing opioid litigation, will impact the Company's results of operations. The Level 1 fair market value of the Company’s equity investment in AmerisourceBergen common stock at February 29, 2020 was $4.8 billion. As of February 29, 2020, the Company’s investment in AmerisourceBergen carrying value exceeded its proportionate share of the net assets of AmerisourceBergen by $4.4 billion. This premium of $4.4 billion was recognized as part of the carrying value in the Company’s equity investment in AmerisourceBergen. The difference was primarily related to goodwill and the fair value of AmerisourceBergen intangible assets. Other investments The Company’s other equity method investments include its investments in Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Nanjing Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the Company’s pharmaceutical wholesale investments in China; its investment in Sinopharm Medicine Holding Guoda Drugstores Co., Ltd., the Company's retail pharmacy investment in China, the Company's investment in BioScrip (resulting from its merger with Option Care Inc.), PharMerica Corporation and Shields Health Solutions in the United States.

Goodwill and other intangible a

Goodwill and other intangible assets	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and other intangible assets	Goodwill and other intangible assets Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or intangible asset below its carrying value. During the three months ended November 30, 2019, the Company completed quantitative impairment analysis for goodwill related to the Boots reporting unit within the Retail Pharmacy International division. Based on this analysis, the fair value of Boots reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value by approximately 4%, as compared to approximately 9% based on the June 1, 2019 valuation date. The Company continued to monitor industry and market trends during the three months ended February 29, 2020 and concluded that no event occurred or circumstances changed that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of its reporting units or intangible asset below its carrying value as of February 29, 2020. The determination of the fair value of the reporting units requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions. Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units, the amount of any goodwill impairment charge, or both. These estimates can be affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, availability of market information as well as our profitability. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment consist of the following (in millions): Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. August 31, 2019 $ 10,491 $ 3,179 $ 2,890 $ 16,560 Acquisitions 47 — — 47 Currency translation adjustments — 84 97 181 February 29, 2020 $ 10,538 $ 3,263 $ 2,987 $ 16,788 The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following (in millions): February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Gross amortizable intangible assets Customer relationships and loyalty card holders $ 4,397 $ 4,290 Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements 1 58 654 Trade names and trademarks 455 461 Purchasing and payer contracts 373 382 Total gross amortizable intangible assets 5,283 5,787 Accumulated amortization Customer relationships and loyalty card holders $ 1,437 $ 1,262 Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements 1 26 410 Trade names and trademarks 255 250 Purchasing and payer contracts 103 99 Total accumulated amortization 1,821 2,021 Total amortizable intangible assets, net $ 3,462 $ 3,766 Indefinite-lived intangible assets Trade names and trademarks $ 5,494 $ 5,232 Pharmacy licenses 1,972 1,878 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 7,466 $ 7,110 Total intangible assets, net $ 10,929 $ 10,876 1 Transferred favorable lease interest to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information. Amortization expense for intangible assets were $117 million and $235 million for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020, respectively, and $139 million and $273 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2019, respectively. Estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years for intangible assets recorded at February 29, 2020 is as follows (in millions): 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Estimated annual amortization expense $ 432 $ 413 $ 379 $ 360 $ 330

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Debt consists of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated): February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Short-term debt 1 Commercial paper $ 2,517 $ 2,400 Credit facilities 2 2,512 1,624 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 2.700% unsecured notes due 2019 — 1,250 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 513 — Other 5 443 464 Total short-term debt $ 5,984 $ 5,738 Long-term debt 1 $6 billion note issuance 3,4 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026 $ 1,890 $ 1,890 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046 591 591 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 1,247 1,247 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024 1,992 1,992 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034 496 495 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044 1,493 1,492 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 — 488 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025 384 365 €750 million note issuance 3,4 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026 818 824 $4 billion note issuance 3,6 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 1,197 1,197 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042 493 493 Other 7 24 25 Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 10,625 $ 11,098 1 Carrying values are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated debt has been translated using the spot rates at February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively. 2 Credit facilities primarily include debt outstanding under the various credit facilities described in more detail below. 3 The $6 billion, $8 billion, £0.7 billion, €0.75 billion, and $4 billion note issuances as of February 29, 2020 had fair values and carrying values of $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion, $5.5 billion and $5.2 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.9 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.8 billion, and $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. The fair values of the notes outstanding are Level 1 fair value measures and determined based on quoted market price and translated at the February 29, 2020 spot rate, as applicable. The fair values and carrying values of these issuances do not include notes that have been redeemed or repaid as of February 29, 2020. 4 Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance from time to time outstanding. 5 Other short-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies. 6 Notes are senior debt obligations of Walgreen Co. and rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreen Co. On December 31, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance fully and unconditionally guaranteed the outstanding notes on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. The guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens Boots Alliance and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance. 7 Other long-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt in various currencies with various maturities. August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements On August 30, 2019, the Company entered into three $500 million revolving credit agreements (together, the “August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements” and each individually, an “August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. Each of the August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements are senior unsecured revolving credit facilities, with facility termination dates of the earlier of (a) 18 months following August 30, 2019, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the applicable August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the applicable August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of February 29, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements. January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement On January 18, 2019, the Company entered into a $2.0 billion 364-day revolving credit agreement (as extended, the “January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured 364-day revolving credit facility, with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) 364 days following January 31, 2019, the date of the effectiveness of the commitments pursuant to the January 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement. On December 18, 2019, the Company entered into an Extension Agreement (the “Extension Agreement”) relating to the January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto and Mizuho, as administrative agent. The Extension Agreement extends the Maturity Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for an additional period of 364 days to January 28, 2021. Such extension became effective on January 30, 2020. As of February 29, 2020, there were $0.6 billion of borrowings outstanding under the January 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement. December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement On December 21, 2018, the Company entered into a $1.0 billion revolving credit agreement (the “December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto. The December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured revolving credit facility with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) 18 months following January 28, 2019, the date of the effectiveness of the commitments pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of February 29, 2020, there were $0.1 billion of borrowings outstanding under the December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. December 2018 Credit Agreement On December 5, 2018, Walgreens Boots Alliance entered into a $1.0 billion term loan credit agreement (as amended, the “December 2018 Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto and, on August 9, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to such credit agreement to permit the Company to borrow, repay and reborrow amounts borrowed thereunder prior to the maturity date. The December 2018 Credit Agreement is a senior unsecured revolving facility with a facility termination date of the earlier of (a) January 29, 2021, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the December 2018 Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the commitments pursuant to the December 2018 Credit Agreement. As of February 29, 2020, there were $1.0 billion of borrowings outstanding under the December 2018 Credit Agreement. November 2018 Credit Agreement On November 30, 2018, the Company entered into a credit agreement (as amended, the “November 2018 Credit Agreement”) with the lenders from time to time party thereto and, on March 25, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to such credit agreement reflecting certain changes to the borrowing notice provisions thereto. The November 2018 Credit Agreement includes a $500 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility and a $500 million senior unsecured term loan facility. The facility termination date is, with respect to the revolving credit facility, the earlier of (a) May 30, 2020 and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments pursuant to the November 2018 Credit Agreement and, with respect to the term loan facility, the earlier of (a) May 30, 2020 and (b) the date of acceleration of all term loans pursuant to the November 2018 Credit Agreement. As of February 29, 2020, there were $0.9 billion of borrowings outstanding under the November 2018 Credit Agreement. August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement On August 29, 2018, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders and letter of credit issuers from time to time party thereto. The August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement is an unsecured revolving credit facility with an aggregate commitment in the amount of $3.5 billion, with a letter of credit subfacility commitment amount of $0.5 billion. The facility termination date is the earlier of (a) August 29, 2023, subject to extension thereof pursuant to the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement, and (b) the date of termination in whole of the aggregate amount of the revolving commitments pursuant to the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. As of February 29, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement. Debt covenants Each of the Company’s credit facilities described above contain a covenant to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization not to exceed 0.60:1.00, subject to increase in certain circumstances set forth in the applicable credit agreement. The credit facilities contain various other customary covenants. Commercial paper The Company periodically borrows under its commercial paper program and may borrow under it in future periods. The Company had average daily commercial paper outstanding of $3.0 billion and $2.4 billion of at a weighted average interest rate of 2.42% and 2.96% for the six months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019, respectively. Interest Interest paid was $337 million and $349 million for the six months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019, respectively.

Financial instruments

Financial instruments	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Financial instruments	Financial instruments The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks. The Company has non-U.S. dollar denominated net investments and uses foreign currency denominated financial instruments, specifically foreign currency derivatives and foreign currency denominated debt, to hedge its foreign currency risk. The Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency derivatives to hedge significant committed and highly probable future transactions and cash flows denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company uses interest rate swaps from time to time to manage the interest rate exposure associated with some of its fixed-rate debt and designates them as fair value hedges. From time to time, the Company uses forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge its interest rate exposure of some of its anticipated debt issuances. The notional amounts and fair value of derivative instruments outstanding were as follows (in millions): February 29, 2020 Notional Fair value Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges: Cross currency interest rate swaps $ 851 $ 42 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 378 7 Other current assets Cross currency interest rate swaps 100 1 Other current assets Cross currency interest rate swaps 206 4 Other non-current liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedges: Foreign currency forwards 2,873 52 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 1,265 9 Other current liabilities August 31, 2019 Notional Fair value Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges : Cross currency interest rate swaps $ 800 $ 73 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 18 1 Other current assets Derivatives not designated as hedges : Foreign currency forwards 3,485 87 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 707 6 Other current liabilities Net investment hedges The Company uses cross currency interest rate swaps and foreign currency forwards as hedges of net investments in subsidiaries with non-U.S. dollar functional currencies. For qualifying net investment hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded in the currency translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Derivatives not designated as hedges The Company enters into derivative transactions that are not designated as accounting hedges. These derivative instruments are economic hedges of foreign currency risks. The income (expenses) due to changes in fair value of these derivative instruments were recognized in earnings as follows (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Foreign currency forwards Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 13 $ (106) $ (61) $ (60) Foreign currency forwards Other income (7) (6) 4 (2) Derivatives credit risk Counterparties to derivative financial instruments expose the Company to credit-related losses in the event of counterparty nonperformance, and the Company regularly monitors the credit worthiness of each counterparty. Derivatives offsetting The Company does not offset the fair value amounts of derivative instruments subject to master netting agreements in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

Fair value measurements

Fair value measurements	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurements	Fair value measurements The Company measures certain assets and liabilities in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In addition, it establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels: Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs. Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows (in millions): February 29, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 146 $ 146 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 4 4 — — Foreign currency forwards 3 59 — 59 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 4 43 — 43 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 3 9 — 9 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 4 4 — 4 — August 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 217 $ 217 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 5 5 — — Foreign currency forwards 3 88 — 88 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 4 73 — 73 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 3 6 — 6 — 1 Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor. 2 Fair values of quoted investments are based on current bid prices as of February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019. 3 The fair value of forward currency contracts is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current available forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using observable market rates. See note 8, financial instruments, for additional information. 4 The fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows based on the applicable observable yield curves. See note 8, financial instruments, for additional information. There were no transfers between Levels for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020. The Company reports its debt instruments under the guidance of ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which requires disclosure of the fair value of the Company’s debt in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements. Unless otherwise noted, the fair value for all notes was determined based upon quoted market prices and therefore categorized as Level 1. See note 7, debt, for further information. The carrying values of accounts receivable and trade accounts payable approximated their respective fair values due to their short-term nature.

Commitments and contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and contingencies	Commitments and contingenciesThe Company is involved in legal proceedings, including litigation, arbitration and other claims, and investigations, inspections, subpoenas, audits, claims, inquiries and similar actions by pharmacy, healthcare, tax and other governmental authorities, arising in the normal course of the Company’s business, including the matters described below. Legal proceedings, in general, and securities, class action and multi-district litigation, in particular, can be expensive and disruptive. Some of these suits may purport or may be determined to be class actions and/or involve parties seeking large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive or exemplary damages, and may remain unresolved for several years. From time to time, the Company is also involved in legal proceedings as a plaintiff involving antitrust, tax, contract, intellectual property and other matters. Gain contingencies, if any, are recognized when they are realized. Like other companies in the retail pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesale industries, the Company is subject to extensive regulation by national, state and local government agencies in the United States and other countries in which it operates. There continues to be a heightened level of review and/or audit by regulatory authorities of, and increased litigation regarding, the Company’s and the rest of the health care and related industry’s business, compliance and reporting practices. As a result, the Company regularly is the subject of government actions of the types described above. The Company also may be named from time to time in qui tam actions initiated by private third parties. In such actions, the private parties purport to act on behalf of federal or state governments, allege that false claims have been submitted for payment by the government and may receive an award if their claims are successful. After a private party has filed a qui tam action, the government must investigate the private party's claim and determine whether to intervene in and take control over the litigation. These actions may remain under seal while the government makes this determination. If the government declines to intervene, the private party may nonetheless continue to pursue the litigation on his or her own purporting to act on behalf of the government. The results of legal proceedings, including government investigations, are often uncertain and difficult to predict, and the costs incurred in these matters can be substantial, regardless of the outcome. With respect to litigation and other legal proceedings where the Company has determined that a loss is reasonably possible, the Company is unable to estimate the amount or range of reasonably possible loss due to the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of and uncertainties regarding such litigation and legal proceedings. The Company believes that its defenses and assertions in pending legal proceedings have merit and does not believe that any of these pending matters, after consideration of applicable reserves and rights to indemnification, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position. However, substantial unanticipated verdicts, fines and rulings do sometimes occur. As a result, the Company could from time to time incur judgments, enter into settlements or revise its expectations regarding the outcome of certain matters, and such developments could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations in the period in which the amounts are accrued and/or its cash flows in the period in which the amounts are paid. In addition, as a result of governmental investigations or proceedings, the Company may be subject to damages, civil or criminal fines or penalties, or other sanctions, including the possible suspension or loss of licensure and/or suspension or exclusion from participation in government programs. On December 29, 2014, a putative shareholder filed a derivative action in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois against certain current and former directors and officers of Walgreen Co., and Walgreen Co. as a nominal defendant, arising out of certain public statements the Company made regarding its former fiscal 2016 goals. The action asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, waste and unjust enrichment. On April 10, 2015, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. On May 18, 2015, the case was stayed in light of a securities class action that was filed on April 10, 2015. After a ruling issued on September 30, 2016 in the securities class action, which is described below, on November 3, 2016, the Court entered a stipulation and order extending the stay until the resolution of the securities class action. On April 10, 2015, a putative shareholder filed a securities class action in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois against Walgreen Co. and certain former officers of Walgreen Co. The action asserts claims for violation of the federal securities laws arising out of certain public statements the Company made regarding its former fiscal 2016 goals. On June 16, 2015, the Court entered an order appointing a lead plaintiff. Pursuant to the Court’s order, lead plaintiff filed a consolidated class action complaint on August 17, 2015, and defendants moved to dismiss the complaint on October 16, 2015. On September 30, 2016, the Court issued an order granting in part and denying in part defendants’ motion to dismiss. Defendants filed their answer to the complaint on November 4, 2016 and filed an amended answer on January 16, 2017. Plaintiff filed its motion for class certification on April 21, 2017. The Court granted plaintiffs’ motion on March 29, 2018 and merits discovery is proceeding. On December 19, 2018, plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint and defendants moved to dismiss the new complaint on February 19, 2019. On September 23, 2019, the Court issued an order granting in part and denying in part defendants’ motion to dismiss. Discovery is proceeding. On December 11, 2017, purported Rite Aid shareholders filed an amended complaint in a putative class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (the “M.D. Pa. action”) arising out of transactions contemplated by the merger agreement between the Company and Rite Aid. The amended complaint alleged that the Company and certain of its officers made false or misleading statements regarding the transactions. The Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint on April 15, 2019. The Company filed an answer and affirmative defenses, discovery commenced, and the Court granted plaintiffs' motion for class certification. In June 2019, a Fred’s, Inc. shareholder filed a nearly identical lawsuit to the M.D. Pa. action in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, except naming Fred’s, Inc. and one of its former officers along with the Company and certain of its officers. Lead plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on November 4, 2019, which is substantially the same as the original complaint. The Company's motion to dismiss to the amended complaint is fully briefed and awaits the Court's ruling. As previously disclosed, the Company was also named as a defendant in a putative class action lawsuit similar to the M.D. Pa. action filed in State of Pennsylvania in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, which was terminated by the court for lack of prosecution in November 2018. In December 2017, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated numerous cases filed against an array of defendants by various plaintiffs such as counties, cities, hospitals, Indian tribes and others, alleging claims generally concerning the impacts of widespread opioid abuse. The consolidated multidistrict litigation (“MDL”), captioned In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL No. 2804), is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio ("N.D. Ohio"). The Company is named as a defendant in a subset of the cases included in this MDL. The first bellwether trial in the MDL, which had been scheduled for October 2019, was terminated. The MDL court selected several new bellwether cases, including three involving the Company: (1) one to remain in N.D. Ohio, scheduled for trial in November 2020; (2) one to be remanded to the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia; and (3) one to be remanded to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Plaintiffs in the West Virginia action subsequently severed their claims against the Company from that matter, and plaintiffs in another bellwether case remanded to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California have added the Company to that case. The Company also has been named as a defendant in numerous lawsuits brought in state courts relating to opioid matters. The relief sought by various plaintiffs is compensatory and punitive damages, as well as injunctive relief. Additionally, the Company has received from the Department of Justice and the Attorney Generals of numerous states subpoenas, civil investigative demands, and/or other requests concerning opioid matters. As discussed above, legal proceedings, including government investigations, are often uncertain and difficult to predict, and the costs and penalties incurred in these matters can be substantial. On January 22, 2019, the Company announced that it had reached an agreement to resolve a civil investigation involving allegations under the False Claims Act by a United States Attorney’s Office, working in conjunction with several states, regarding certain dispensing practices. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid $209 million to the United States and the various states involved in the matter, substantially all of which was reserved for in the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements as of November 30, 2018.

Income taxes

Income taxes	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	Income taxes The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020 was 14.6% and 9.7%, respectively, compared to 16.7% and 15.5% for the three and six months ended February 28, 2019, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended February 29, 2020 was primarily due to the mix of earnings between U.S and international operations. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the six months ended February 29, 2020 was primarily due to discrete tax benefits recorded from the reduction of a valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets related to anticipated capital gains. Income taxes paid for the six months ended February 29, 2020 were $592 million, compared to $766 million for the six months ended February 28, 2019. On December 2, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations relating to the base erosion and anti-avoidance tax (“BEAT”) provisions and the foreign tax credit regime under the U.S. tax law changes enacted in December 2017. The Company has evaluated the impact of the regulations and determined that there is no material impact to its financial statements.

Retirement benefits

Retirement benefits	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Retirement benefits	Retirement benefits The Company sponsors several retirement plans, including defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans and a postretirement health plan. Defined benefit pension plans (non-U.S. plans) The Company has various defined benefit pension plans outside the United States. The principal defined benefit pension plan is the Boots Pension Plan (the “Boots Plan”), which covers certain employees in the United Kingdom. The Boots Plan is a funded final salary defined benefit plan providing pensions and death benefits to members. The Boots Plan was closed to future accrual effective July 1, 2010, with pensions calculated based on salaries up until that date. The Boots Plan is governed by a trustee board, which is independent of the Company. The plan is subject to a full funding actuarial valuation on a triennial basis. Components of net periodic pension costs for the defined benefit pension plans (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Service costs Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 1 $ 1 $ 2 $ 2 Interest costs Other income 37 50 72 99 Expected returns on plan assets/other Other income (73) (64) (144) (124) Total net periodic pension costs (income) $ (35) $ (13) $ (69) $ (23) The Company made cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of $10 million for the six months ended February 29, 2020, which primarily related to committed funded payments. The Company plans to contribute an additional $22 million to its defined benefit pension plans in fiscal 2020. Defined contribution plans The principal retirement plan for U.S. employees is the Walgreen Profit-Sharing Retirement Trust, to which both the Company and participating employees contribute. The Company’s contribution is in the form of a guaranteed match which is made pursuant to the applicable plan document approved by the Walgreen Co. Board of Directors. Plan activity is reviewed periodically by certain Committees of the Walgreens Boots Alliance Board of Directors. The profit-sharing provision was an expense of $55 million and $113 million for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020, respectively, compared to an expense of $64 million and $125 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2019, respectively. The Company also has certain contract based defined contribution arrangements. The principal one is the Alliance Healthcare & Boots Retirement Savings Plan, which is United Kingdom based and to which both the Company and participating employees contribute. The cost recognized for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020 was $29 million and $67 million, respectively, compared to a cost of $33 million and $64 million in the three and six months ended February 28, 2019, respectively.

Accumulated other comprehensive

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) The following is a summary of net changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component and net of tax for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 (in millions): Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Share of OCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at November 30, 2019 $ (55) $ (24) $ 14 $ (5) $ (3,242) $ (3,313) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments 4 — 27 6 (121) (84) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (3) 1 — — — (2) Tax benefit (provision) (2) — (7) (2) 3 (8) Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (1) 1 21 4 (119) (94) Balance at February 29, 2020 $ (57) $ (24) $ 34 $ (1) $ (3,360) $ (3,407) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Share of OCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ (48) $ (24) $ 55 $ 3 $ (3,884) $ (3,897) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments (8) (1) (28) (5) 520 479 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1) 3 — — 2 Tax benefit (provision) (1) (1) 7 — 3 9 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (9) 1 (21) (5) 524 490 Balance at February 29, 2020 $ (57) $ (24) $ 34 $ (1) $ (3,360) $ (3,407) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 1 Net investment hedges 1 Share of AOCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at November 30, 2018 $ 97 $ (27) $ — $ 4 $ (3,305) $ (3,231) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments — (3) (16) (2) 537 516 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (4) 2 — — — (2) Other — — — — 7 7 Tax benefit (provision) 2 — 4 — (1) 5 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (2) (1) (12) (2) 543 526 Balance at February 28, 2019 $ 95 $ (28) $ (12) $ 2 $ (2,762) $ (2,705) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 1 Net investment hedges 1 Share of AOCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2018 $ 101 $ (30) $ — $ 3 $ (3,076) $ (3,002) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments — — (16) (1) 309 292 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (8) 3 — — — (5) Other — — — — 7 7 Tax benefit (provision) 2 (1) 4 — (2) 3 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (6) 2 (12) (1) 314 297 Balance at February 28, 2019 $ 95 $ (28) $ (12) $ 2 $ (2,762) $ (2,705) 1 Previously disclosed as Unrealized gain (loss) on hedges.

Segment reporting

Segment reporting	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment reporting	Segment reporting The Company has aligned its operations into three reportable segments: Retail Pharmacy USA, Retail Pharmacy International and Pharmaceutical Wholesale. The operating segments have been identified based on the financial data utilized by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the chief operating decision maker) to assess segment performance and allocate resources among the Company’s operating segments. The chief operating decision maker uses adjusted operating income to assess segment profitability. The chief operating decision maker does not use total assets by segment to make decisions regarding resources; therefore, the total asset disclosure by segment has not been included. Retail Pharmacy USA The Retail Pharmacy USA segment consists of the Walgreens business, which includes the operation of retail drugstores and mail and central specialty pharmacy services. Sales for the segment are principally derived from the sale of prescription drugs and a wide assortment of retail products, including health and wellness, beauty and personal care and consumables and general merchandise. Retail Pharmacy International The Retail Pharmacy International segment consists of pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses and optical practices. These businesses include Boots branded stores in the United Kingdom, Thailand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands, Benavides in Mexico and Ahumada in Chile. Sales for the segment are principally derived from the sale of prescription drugs and health and wellness, beauty and personal care and other consumer products. Pharmaceutical Wholesale The Pharmaceutical Wholesale segment consists of the Alliance Healthcare pharmaceutical wholesaling and distribution businesses and an equity method investment in AmerisourceBergen. Wholesale operations are located in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, Egypt, Norway, Romania, Czech Republic and Lithuania. Sales for the segment are principally derived from wholesaling and distribution of a comprehensive offering of brand-name pharmaceuticals (including specialty pharmaceutical products) and generic pharmaceuticals, health and beauty products, home healthcare supplies and equipment and related services to pharmacies and other healthcare providers. The results of operations for each reportable segment includes procurement benefits and an allocation of corporate-related overhead costs. The “Eliminations” lines contain items not allocable to the reportable segments, as the information is not utilized by the chief operating decision maker to assess segment performance and allocate resources. The following table reflects results of operations of the Company's reportable segments (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Sales: Retail Pharmacy USA $ 27,245 $ 26,257 $ 53,377 $ 51,979 Retail Pharmacy International 3,056 3,082 5,801 5,982 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 6,066 5,738 12,072 11,446 Eliminations 1 (546) (549) (1,091) (1,086) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 35,820 $ 34,528 $ 70,160 $ 68,321 Adjusted Operating income: Retail Pharmacy USA $ 1,267 $ 1,455 $ 2,423 $ 2,834 Retail Pharmacy International 198 256 276 388 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 235 225 464 445 Eliminations 1 2 (1) 2 — Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 1,703 $ 1,935 $ 3,166 $ 3,667 1 Eliminations relate to intersegment sales between the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and the Retail Pharmacy International segments. The following table reconciles adjusted operating income to operating income (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Adjusted operating income $ 1,703 $ 1,935 $ 3,166 $ 3,667 Acquisition-related amortization and impairment (117) (123) (235) (246) Acquisition-related costs (99) (82) (223) (148) Transformational cost management (123) (150) (209) (179) Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen (73) (9) (152) (54) LIFO provision (28) (8) (61) (48) Store optimization (30) (31) (39) (51) Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements — (14) — (24) Operating income $ 1,233 $ 1,517 $ 2,247 $ 2,918

Sales

Sales	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Sales	Sales The following table summarizes the Company’s sales by segment and by major source (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Pharmacy $ 19,901 $ 18,892 $ 39,606 $ 38,039 Retail 7,344 7,366 13,772 13,940 Total 27,245 26,257 53,377 51,979 Retail Pharmacy International Pharmacy 1,025 1,010 2,026 2,049 Retail 2,031 2,072 3,775 3,933 Total 3,056 3,082 5,801 5,982 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 6,066 5,738 12,072 11,446 Eliminations 1 (546) (549) (1,091) (1,086) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 35,820 $ 34,528 $ 70,160 $ 68,321 1 Eliminations relate to intersegment sales between the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and the Retail Pharmacy International segments. Contract balances with customers Contract liabilities primarily represent the Company’s obligation to transfer additional goods or services to a customer for which the Company has received consideration, for example the Company’s Balance Rewards® and Boots Advantage Card loyalty programs. Under such programs, customers earn reward points on purchases for redemption at a later date. See note 18, supplemental information, for further information on receivables from contracts with customers.

Related parties

Related parties	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related parties	Related parties The Company has a long-term pharmaceutical distribution agreement with AmerisourceBergen pursuant to which the Company sources branded and generic pharmaceutical products from AmerisourceBergen principally for its U.S. operations. Additionally, AmerisourceBergen receives sourcing services for generic pharmaceutical products. Related party transactions with AmerisourceBergen (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Purchases, net $ 14,932 $ 14,064 $ 29,408 $ 28,386 February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Trade accounts payable, net $ 6,747 $ 6,484

New accounting pronouncements

New accounting pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New accounting pronouncements	New accounting pronouncements Adoption of new accounting pronouncements Financial instruments - hedging and derivatives In October 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) Rate as Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. This ASU permits use of the OIS rate based on the SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Intangibles – goodwill and other – internal-use software In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This ASU addresses customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract and also adds certain disclosure requirements related to implementation costs incurred for internal-use software and cloud computing arrangements. The amendment aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The Company early adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Contributions made In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-08, Clarifying the Scope and the Accounting Guidance for Contributions Received and Contributions Made (Topic 958). This ASU clarifies and improves guidance about whether a transfer of assets (or reduction of liabilities) is a contribution or an exchange transaction, and whether a contribution is conditional. The ASU applies to all entities, including business entities, that receive or make contributions of cash or other assets, including promises to give. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Compensation – stock compensation In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This ASU eliminated most of the differences between accounting guidance for share-based compensation granted to nonemployees and the guidance for share-based compensation granted to employees. The ASU supersedes the guidance for nonemployees and expands the scope of the guidance for employees to include both. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Accounting for reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU addresses the income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) which were originally recognized in other comprehensive income, rather than in income from continuing operations. Specifically, it permits a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for the adjustment of deferred taxes due to the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate resulting from the U.S. tax law changes enacted in December 2017. It also requires certain disclosures about these reclassifications. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The Company elected not to reclassify the income tax effects of change in historical corporate tax rate from AOCI to retained earnings. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes Topic 840, Leases. Subsequently, the FASB issued additional ASUs which further clarify this guidance. This ASU increases the transparency and comparability of organizations by requiring the capitalization of substantially all leases on the balance sheet and disclosures of key information about leasing arrangements. Under this new guidance, at the lease commencement date, a lessee recognizes a right-of-use asset and lease liability, which is initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments. For income statement purposes, a dual model was retained for lessees, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance leases. Under the operating lease model, lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Under the finance lease model, interest on the lease liability is recognized separately from amortization of the right-of-use asset. In addition, a new ASU was issued in July 2018, to provide relief to companies from restating the comparative periods. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and applied the new standard to all leases through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. As a result, comparative financial information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which among other things, allows the carryforward of historical lease classification. The adoption of this new accounting standard resulted in recognition of lease liabilities of $24 billion and recognition of right-of-use assets of $22 billion net of liabilities for facility closing, deferred rent, favorable lease interest intangible asset, unfavorable lease interest liability, lease incentives and prepaid rent as of August 31, 2019. The adoption also resulted in a decrease to retained earnings of $0.4 billion due to transition date impairment of right-of-use assets related to previously impaired long-lived assets of $0.8 billion, net of tax, partially offset by de-recognition of deferred gains on historical sale-leaseback transactions of $0.4 billion, net of tax. See note 4. Leases for further information. The following is the Company’s lease accounting policy under the new lease accounting standard: The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of a contract. The lease classification is determined at the commencement date. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease during the lease term. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of the remaining future minimum lease payments during the lease term. The commencement date of all lease terms is the earlier of the date the Company becomes legally obligated to make rent payments or the date the Company has the right to control the property. The Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on the Company's estimated rate of interest for a collateralized borrowing over a similar term as the lease term. The operating lease right-of-use assets also include lease payments made before commencement, exclude lease incentives and are recorded net of impairment. Operating leases are expensed on a straight line basis over the lease term. Initial terms for leased premises in the United States are typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options at five The Company accounts for lease components and non-lease components as a single lease component. Variable lease payment amounts that cannot be determined at the commencement of the lease such as increases in lease payments based on changes in index rates or usage, are not included in the right-of-use assets or liabilities. These are expensed as incurred. The Company has real estate leases which require additional payments based on sales volume, as well as reimbursement for real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance, which are expensed as incurred as variable lease costs and hence are not included in the lease payments used to calculate lease liability. Other real estate leases contain one fixed lease payment that includes real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance. These fixed payments are considered part of the lease payment and included in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The Company does not separately account for the land portion of the leases involving land and building. Finance leases are recognized within property, plant and equipment and as a finance lease liability within accrued expenses and other liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities. The Company performs impairment testing for its long-lived assets at asset group level. Retail store is considered as the asset group, which includes plant, property and equipment, operating and finance right-of-use assets as well as operating lease liability in the store. The asset group is tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The impact to the Company's opening Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 1, 2019 was as follows (in millions): As reported Adjustments As revised September 1, 2019 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Other current assets 1,118 (123) 995 Total current assets 18,700 (123) 18,577 Property, plant and equipment, net 13,478 267 13,745 Operating lease right-of-use assets — 21,600 21,600 Intangible assets, net 10,876 (220) 10,656 Total assets 67,598 21,524 89,122 Operating lease obligation - current — 2,267 2,267 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 5,474 (538) 4,936 Total current liabilities 25,769 1,729 27,498 Operating lease obligation - non-current — 21,858 21,858 Deferred income taxes 1,785 (142) 1,643 Other non-current liabilities 4,795 (1,479) 3,316 Total non-current liabilities 17,678 20,237 37,915 Retained earnings 35,815 (442) 35,373 Total liabilities and equity 67,598 21,524 89,122 New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This ASU provides optional expedient and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. In response to the concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates (IBORs) and, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), regulators in several jurisdictions around the world have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. The ASU provides companies with optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. The ASU can be adopted no later than December 1, 2022 (fiscal year 2023) with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance. Financial Instruments In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-03. This ASU improves and clarifies various financial instruments topics, including the current expected credit losses (CECL) standard issued in 2016. The ASU includes seven different issues that describe the areas of improvement and the related amendments to GAAP, intended to make the standards easier to understand and apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. The amendments have different effective dates. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Investments - equity securities; Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures; Derivatives and Hedging In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in this ASU clarify the interaction between the accounting for investments in equity securities, investment in equity method and certain derivatives instruments. The ASU is expected to reduce diversity in practice and increase comparability of the accounting for these interactions. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 (fiscal 2023). The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have any impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Investments - equity securities In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Financial Instruments (Topic 825). This extensive ASU provides clarifications for three topics related to financial instruments accounting, some of which apply to the Company. For example, this ASU clarifies the disclosure requirements that apply to equity securities without a readily determinable fair value for which the measurement alternative is elected. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021). The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Collaborative arrangements In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808). This ASU clarifies the interaction between Topic 808, Collaborative Arrangements, and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021). The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Compensation – retirement benefits – defined benefit plans In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation-Retirement benefits (Topic 715-20). This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The ASU eliminates the requirement to disclose the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost over the next year. The ASU also removes the disclosure requirements for the effects of a one-percentage-point change on the assumed health care costs and the effect of this change in rates on service cost, interest cost and the benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. This ASU is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 (fiscal 2022) and must be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company's financial position. Fair value measurement In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The ASU eliminates such disclosures as the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The ASU adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for any eliminated or modified disclosures. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company's disclosures. Financial instruments - credit losses In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which amends the Board’s guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. Subsequently, the FASB has issued additional ASUs which further clarify this guidance. The ASU adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses, which is known as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The CECL model applies to most debt instruments (other than those measured at fair value), trade and other receivables, financial guarantee contracts, and loan commitments. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. Income taxes - simplifying the accounting for income taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740), which removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 (fiscal 2022), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company's disclosures.

Supplemental information

Supplemental information	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental information	Supplemental information Accounts receivable Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable balances primarily consist of trade receivables due from customers, including amounts due from third party providers (e.g., pharmacy benefit managers, insurance companies and governmental agencies), clients and members. Trade receivables were $6.3 billion and $6.0 billion at February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively. Other accounts receivable balances, which consist primarily of receivables from vendors and manufacturers, including receivables from AmerisourceBergen (see note 16, related parties), were $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion at February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively. Depreciation and amortization The Company has recorded the following depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Depreciation expense $ 375 $ 360 $ 734 $ 717 Intangible asset and other amortization 117 139 235 273 Total depreciation and amortization expense $ 492 $ 499 $ 969 $ 990 Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment was $11.9 billion at February 29, 2020 and $11.3 billion at August 31, 2019. Restricted cash The Company is required to maintain cash deposits with certain banks which consist of deposits restricted under contractual agency agreements and cash restricted by law and other obligations. As of February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019, the amount of such restricted cash was $196 million and $184 million, respectively, and is reported in other current assets on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. The following represents a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets to total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows as of February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019 (in millions): February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Cash and cash equivalents $ 792 $ 1,023 Restricted cash (included in other current assets) 196 184 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 988 $ 1,207 Earnings per share The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options on earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method. Stock options are anti-dilutive and excluded from the earnings per share calculation if the exercise price exceeds the average market price of the common shares. There were 18.7 million outstanding options to purchase common shares that were anti-dilutive and excluded from the second quarter earnings per share calculation as of February 29, 2020 compared to 14.4 million as of February 28, 2019. Cash dividends declared per common share Cash dividends per common share declared were as follows: Quarter ended 2020 2019 November $ 0.4575 $ 0.4400 February 0.4575 0.4400 $ 0.92 $ 0.88

Subsequent event

Subsequent event	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent event	Subsequent event The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic of the novel strain of coronavirus COVID-19 ("COVID-19") on all aspects of its business and geographies, including how it will impact its customers, team members, suppliers, vendors, business partners and distribution channels. While the Company did not incur significant disruptions during the three and six months ended February 29, 2020 from COVID-19, it is unable to predict the impact that COVID-19 will have on its financial position and operating results due to numerous uncertainties. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020 in the United States. Due to the recent enactment of this legislation, the Company continues to assess the potential impacts of this legislation on its financial position and results of operations. Recent financing actions Subsequent to February 29, 2020, the Company has taken actions intended to increase its cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of current uncertainty in the global markets. As of March 31, 2020, the Company has total borrowings of approximately $8.3 billion outstanding under the credit facilities and commercial paper programs described above, of which $2.0 billion was commercial paper. On April 1, 2020, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement for a $750 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility with the lenders from time to time party thereto. As of April 1, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under this facility.

Accounting policies (Policies)

Accounting policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of presentation The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (“Walgreens Boots Alliance” or the “Company”) included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements include all subsidiaries in which the Company holds a controlling interest. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for equity investments in less than majority-owned companies if the investment provides the ability to exercise significant influence. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included herein are unaudited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Walgreens Boots Alliance Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019. In the opinion of management, the unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for the interim periods presented include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the results for such interim periods. The influence of certain holidays, seasonality, foreign currency rates, changes in vendor, payer and customer relationships and terms, strategic transactions including acquisitions, changes in laws and general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates and other factors on the Company’s operations and net earnings for any period may not be comparable to the same period in previous years.
Adoption of new accounting pronouncements; New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted	Adoption of new accounting pronouncements Financial instruments - hedging and derivatives In October 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) Rate as Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. This ASU permits use of the OIS rate based on the SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Intangibles – goodwill and other – internal-use software In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This ASU addresses customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract and also adds certain disclosure requirements related to implementation costs incurred for internal-use software and cloud computing arrangements. The amendment aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The Company early adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Contributions made In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-08, Clarifying the Scope and the Accounting Guidance for Contributions Received and Contributions Made (Topic 958). This ASU clarifies and improves guidance about whether a transfer of assets (or reduction of liabilities) is a contribution or an exchange transaction, and whether a contribution is conditional. The ASU applies to all entities, including business entities, that receive or make contributions of cash or other assets, including promises to give. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Compensation – stock compensation In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This ASU eliminated most of the differences between accounting guidance for share-based compensation granted to nonemployees and the guidance for share-based compensation granted to employees. The ASU supersedes the guidance for nonemployees and expands the scope of the guidance for employees to include both. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Accounting for reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU addresses the income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) which were originally recognized in other comprehensive income, rather than in income from continuing operations. Specifically, it permits a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for the adjustment of deferred taxes due to the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate resulting from the U.S. tax law changes enacted in December 2017. It also requires certain disclosures about these reclassifications. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a prospective basis. The Company elected not to reclassify the income tax effects of change in historical corporate tax rate from AOCI to retained earnings. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes Topic 840, Leases. Subsequently, the FASB issued additional ASUs which further clarify this guidance. This ASU increases the transparency and comparability of organizations by requiring the capitalization of substantially all leases on the balance sheet and disclosures of key information about leasing arrangements. Under this new guidance, at the lease commencement date, a lessee recognizes a right-of-use asset and lease liability, which is initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments. For income statement purposes, a dual model was retained for lessees, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance leases. Under the operating lease model, lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Under the finance lease model, interest on the lease liability is recognized separately from amortization of the right-of-use asset. In addition, a new ASU was issued in July 2018, to provide relief to companies from restating the comparative periods. The Company adopted this new accounting standard on September 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and applied the new standard to all leases through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. As a result, comparative financial information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which among other things, allows the carryforward of historical lease classification. The adoption of this new accounting standard resulted in recognition of lease liabilities of $24 billion and recognition of right-of-use assets of $22 billion net of liabilities for facility closing, deferred rent, favorable lease interest intangible asset, unfavorable lease interest liability, lease incentives and prepaid rent as of August 31, 2019. The adoption also resulted in a decrease to retained earnings of $0.4 billion due to transition date impairment of right-of-use assets related to previously impaired long-lived assets of $0.8 billion, net of tax, partially offset by de-recognition of deferred gains on historical sale-leaseback transactions of $0.4 billion, net of tax. See note 4. Leases for further information. The following is the Company’s lease accounting policy under the new lease accounting standard: The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of a contract. The lease classification is determined at the commencement date. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease during the lease term. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of the remaining future minimum lease payments during the lease term. The commencement date of all lease terms is the earlier of the date the Company becomes legally obligated to make rent payments or the date the Company has the right to control the property. The Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on the Company's estimated rate of interest for a collateralized borrowing over a similar term as the lease term. The operating lease right-of-use assets also include lease payments made before commencement, exclude lease incentives and are recorded net of impairment. Operating leases are expensed on a straight line basis over the lease term. Initial terms for leased premises in the United States are typically 15 to 25 years, followed by additional terms containing renewal options at five The Company accounts for lease components and non-lease components as a single lease component. Variable lease payment amounts that cannot be determined at the commencement of the lease such as increases in lease payments based on changes in index rates or usage, are not included in the right-of-use assets or liabilities. These are expensed as incurred. The Company has real estate leases which require additional payments based on sales volume, as well as reimbursement for real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance, which are expensed as incurred as variable lease costs and hence are not included in the lease payments used to calculate lease liability. Other real estate leases contain one fixed lease payment that includes real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance. These fixed payments are considered part of the lease payment and included in the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The Company does not separately account for the land portion of the leases involving land and building. Finance leases are recognized within property, plant and equipment and as a finance lease liability within accrued expenses and other liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities. The Company performs impairment testing for its long-lived assets at asset group level. Retail store is considered as the asset group, which includes plant, property and equipment, operating and finance right-of-use assets as well as operating lease liability in the store. The asset group is tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The impact to the Company's opening Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 1, 2019 was as follows (in millions): As reported Adjustments As revised September 1, 2019 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Other current assets 1,118 (123) 995 Total current assets 18,700 (123) 18,577 Property, plant and equipment, net 13,478 267 13,745 Operating lease right-of-use assets — 21,600 21,600 Intangible assets, net 10,876 (220) 10,656 Total assets 67,598 21,524 89,122 Operating lease obligation - current — 2,267 2,267 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 5,474 (538) 4,936 Total current liabilities 25,769 1,729 27,498 Operating lease obligation - non-current — 21,858 21,858 Deferred income taxes 1,785 (142) 1,643 Other non-current liabilities 4,795 (1,479) 3,316 Total non-current liabilities 17,678 20,237 37,915 Retained earnings 35,815 (442) 35,373 Total liabilities and equity 67,598 21,524 89,122 New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This ASU provides optional expedient and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. In response to the concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates (IBORs) and, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), regulators in several jurisdictions around the world have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. The ASU provides companies with optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. The ASU can be adopted no later than December 1, 2022 (fiscal year 2023) with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance. Financial Instruments In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-03. This ASU improves and clarifies various financial instruments topics, including the current expected credit losses (CECL) standard issued in 2016. The ASU includes seven different issues that describe the areas of improvement and the related amendments to GAAP, intended to make the standards easier to understand and apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. The amendments have different effective dates. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Investments - equity securities; Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures; Derivatives and Hedging In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in this ASU clarify the interaction between the accounting for investments in equity securities, investment in equity method and certain derivatives instruments. The ASU is expected to reduce diversity in practice and increase comparability of the accounting for these interactions. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 (fiscal 2023). The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have any impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Investments - equity securities In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Financial Instruments (Topic 825). This extensive ASU provides clarifications for three topics related to financial instruments accounting, some of which apply to the Company. For example, this ASU clarifies the disclosure requirements that apply to equity securities without a readily determinable fair value for which the measurement alternative is elected. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021). The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Collaborative arrangements In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808). This ASU clarifies the interaction between Topic 808, Collaborative Arrangements, and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021). The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Compensation – retirement benefits – defined benefit plans In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation-Retirement benefits (Topic 715-20). This ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The ASU eliminates the requirement to disclose the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as part of net periodic benefit cost over the next year. The ASU also removes the disclosure requirements for the effects of a one-percentage-point change on the assumed health care costs and the effect of this change in rates on service cost, interest cost and the benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. This ASU is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 (fiscal 2022) and must be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company's financial position. Fair value measurement In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The ASU eliminates such disclosures as the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The ASU adds new disclosure requirements for Level 3 measurements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for any eliminated or modified disclosures. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company's disclosures. Financial instruments - credit losses In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which amends the Board’s guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. Subsequently, the FASB has issued additional ASUs which further clarify this guidance. The ASU adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses, which is known as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The CECL model applies to most debt instruments (other than those measured at fair value), trade and other receivables, financial guarantee contracts, and loan commitments. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance, but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. Income taxes - simplifying the accounting for income taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740), which removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and improves consistent application of and simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 (fiscal 2022), and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance but does not expect adoption will have a material impact on the Company's disclosures.

Exit and disposal activities (T

Exit and disposal activities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs	Costs related to exit and disposal activities under the Transformational Cost Management Program for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 were as follows (in millions): Three months ended February 29, 2020 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs $ 9 $ 1 $ — $ 10 Asset impairments 3 — — 3 Employee severance and business transition costs 39 29 4 72 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 9 13 1 24 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 60 $ 43 $ 5 $ 109 Six months ended February 29, 2020 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Lease obligations and other real estate costs $ 10 $ 1 $ — $ 11 Asset impairments 11 3 — 15 Employee severance and business transition costs 72 30 9 111 Information technology transformation and other exit costs 16 17 2 36 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 110 $ 52 $ 12 $ 173 Three months ended February 28, 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Asset impairments — 26 85 111 Employee severance and other exit costs 14 14 11 39 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 14 $ 40 $ 96 $ 150 Six months ended February 28, 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Asset impairments — 32 85 117 Employee severance and other exit costs 16 35 11 62 Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs $ 16 $ 67 $ 96 $ 179 Costs related to the Store Optimization Program for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 were as follows (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Lease obligations and other real estate costs $ 18 $ 9 $ 21 $ 2 Employee severance and other exit costs 12 22 18 49 Total costs $ 30 $ 31 $ 39 $ 51
Change in Restructuring Liabilities	The changes in liabilities and assets related to the exit and disposal activities under Transformational Cost Management Program include the following (in millions): Lease obligations and other real estate costs Asset Impairments Employee severance and business transition costs Information technology transformation and other exit costs Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ 17 $ — $ 57 $ 4 $ 78 Costs 11 15 111 36 173 Payments (1) — (59) (10) (70) Other - non cash 3 (15) — (8) (20) ASC 842 Leases adoption 1 (4) — — — (4) Currency translation adjustment 1 — — — 1 Balance at February 29, 2020 $ 27 $ — $ 110 $ 22 $ 158 1 Represents liability for facility closings and related lease termination charges recorded as an offset to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 4, leases and note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information. The changes in liabilities related to the Store Optimization Program include the following (in millions): Lease obligations and other real estate costs Employee severance and other exit costs Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ 407 $ 22 $ 429 Costs 21 18 39 Payments (18) (32) (50) Other - non cash (1) (5) (6) ASC 842 Leases adoption 1 (378) — (378) Balance at February 29, 2020 $ 31 $ 3 $ 34 1 Represents liability for facility closings and related lease termination charges recorded as an offset to right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASC 842. Refer to note 4, leases and note 17, new accounting pronouncements for additional information.

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Assets And Liabilities, Lessee	Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases were as follows (in millions): February 29, 2020 Operating Leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 21,755 Operating lease obligations - current 2,278 Operating lease obligations - non current 21,959 Total operating lease obligations $ 24,237 Finance Leases: Right-of-use assets included in: Property, plant and equipment, net $ 802 Lease obligations included in: Accrued expenses and other liabilities 46 Other non-current liabilities 1,032 Total finance lease obligations $ 1,078
Lease, Cost	The components of lease costs were as follows (in millions): Three months ended February 29, 2020 Six months ended Operating lease cost Fixed $ 841 $ 1,670 Variable 1 208 428 Finance lease cost Amortization $ 10 $ 19 Interest 14 28 Sublease income (16) (31) 1 Includes real estate property taxes, common area maintenance, insurance and rental payments based on sales volume. Other supplemental information were as follows (in millions): Six months ended February 29, 2020 Gains on sale-leaseback transactions 1 $ 140 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 1,677 Operating cash flows from finance leases 24 Financing cash flows from finance leases 23 Total $ 1,724 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations: Operating leases $ 1,313 Finance leases 65 Total $ 1,378 1 Recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. For the three months ended February 29, 2020 gain on sales-leaseback was $63 million. Average lease term and discount rate as of February 29, 2020 were as follows: February 29, 2020 Weighted average remaining lease term in years: Operating leases 10.9 Finance leases 21.1 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 4.94 % Finance leases 5.32 %
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity	The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of February 29, 2020 were as follows (in millions): Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2020 (Remaining period) $ 48 $ 1,712 2021 95 3,340 2022 92 3,176 2023 89 3,021 2024 89 2,865 2025 87 2,690 Later 1,218 14,682 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,718 $ 31,486 Less: Present value discount (640) (7,249) Lease liability $ 1,078 $ 24,237
Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity	The aggregate future lease payments for operating and finance leases as of February 29, 2020 were as follows (in millions): Fiscal year Finance lease Operating lease 2020 (Remaining period) $ 48 $ 1,712 2021 95 3,340 2022 92 3,176 2023 89 3,021 2024 89 2,865 2025 87 2,690 Later 1,218 14,682 Total undiscounted minimum lease payments $ 1,718 $ 31,486 Less: Present value discount (640) (7,249) Lease liability $ 1,078 $ 24,237

Equity method investments (Tabl

Equity method investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments	Equity method investments as of February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019, were as follows (in millions, except percentages): February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Carrying value Ownership percentage Carrying value Ownership percentage AmerisourceBergen $ 5,206 28% $ 5,211 27% Others 1,715 8% - 50% 1,640 8% - 50% Total $ 6,921 $ 6,851

Goodwill and other intangible_2

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment consist of the following (in millions): Retail Pharmacy USA Retail Pharmacy International Pharmaceutical Wholesale Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. August 31, 2019 $ 10,491 $ 3,179 $ 2,890 $ 16,560 Acquisitions 47 — — 47 Currency translation adjustments — 84 97 181 February 29, 2020 $ 10,538 $ 3,263 $ 2,987 $ 16,788
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following (in millions): February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Gross amortizable intangible assets Customer relationships and loyalty card holders $ 4,397 $ 4,290 Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements 1 58 654 Trade names and trademarks 455 461 Purchasing and payer contracts 373 382 Total gross amortizable intangible assets 5,283 5,787 Accumulated amortization Customer relationships and loyalty card holders $ 1,437 $ 1,262 Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements 1 26 410 Trade names and trademarks 255 250 Purchasing and payer contracts 103 99 Total accumulated amortization 1,821 2,021 Total amortizable intangible assets, net $ 3,462 $ 3,766 Indefinite-lived intangible assets Trade names and trademarks $ 5,494 $ 5,232 Pharmacy licenses 1,972 1,878 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 7,466 $ 7,110 Total intangible assets, net $ 10,929 $ 10,876
Schedule of Future Amortization Expense	Estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years for intangible assets recorded at February 29, 2020 is as follows (in millions): 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Estimated annual amortization expense $ 432 $ 413 $ 379 $ 360 $ 330

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Short-Term Borrowings	Debt consists of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated): February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Short-term debt 1 Commercial paper $ 2,517 $ 2,400 Credit facilities 2 2,512 1,624 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 2.700% unsecured notes due 2019 — 1,250 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 513 — Other 5 443 464 Total short-term debt $ 5,984 $ 5,738 Long-term debt 1 $6 billion note issuance 3,4 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026 $ 1,890 $ 1,890 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046 591 591 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 1,247 1,247 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024 1,992 1,992 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034 496 495 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044 1,493 1,492 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 — 488 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025 384 365 €750 million note issuance 3,4 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026 818 824 $4 billion note issuance 3,6 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 1,197 1,197 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042 493 493 Other 7 24 25 Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 10,625 $ 11,098 1 Carrying values are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated debt has been translated using the spot rates at February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively. 2 Credit facilities primarily include debt outstanding under the various credit facilities described in more detail below. 3 The $6 billion, $8 billion, £0.7 billion, €0.75 billion, and $4 billion note issuances as of February 29, 2020 had fair values and carrying values of $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion, $5.5 billion and $5.2 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.9 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.8 billion, and $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. The fair values of the notes outstanding are Level 1 fair value measures and determined based on quoted market price and translated at the February 29, 2020 spot rate, as applicable. The fair values and carrying values of these issuances do not include notes that have been redeemed or repaid as of February 29, 2020. 4 Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance from time to time outstanding. 5 Other short-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies. 6 Notes are senior debt obligations of Walgreen Co. and rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreen Co. On December 31, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance fully and unconditionally guaranteed the outstanding notes on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. The guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens Boots Alliance and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance. 7 Other long-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt in various currencies with various maturities.
Long-Term Debt	Debt consists of the following (all amounts are presented in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated): February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Short-term debt 1 Commercial paper $ 2,517 $ 2,400 Credit facilities 2 2,512 1,624 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 2.700% unsecured notes due 2019 — 1,250 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 513 — Other 5 443 464 Total short-term debt $ 5,984 $ 5,738 Long-term debt 1 $6 billion note issuance 3,4 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026 $ 1,890 $ 1,890 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046 591 591 $8 billion note issuance 3,4 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021 1,247 1,247 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024 1,992 1,992 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034 496 495 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044 1,493 1,492 £700 million note issuance 3,4 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020 — 488 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025 384 365 €750 million note issuance 3,4 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026 818 824 $4 billion note issuance 3,6 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022 1,197 1,197 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042 493 493 Other 7 24 25 Total long-term debt, less current portion $ 10,625 $ 11,098 1 Carrying values are presented net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, where applicable, and foreign currency denominated debt has been translated using the spot rates at February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019, respectively. 2 Credit facilities primarily include debt outstanding under the various credit facilities described in more detail below. 3 The $6 billion, $8 billion, £0.7 billion, €0.75 billion, and $4 billion note issuances as of February 29, 2020 had fair values and carrying values of $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion, $5.5 billion and $5.2 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.9 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.8 billion, and $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. The fair values of the notes outstanding are Level 1 fair value measures and determined based on quoted market price and translated at the February 29, 2020 spot rate, as applicable. The fair values and carrying values of these issuances do not include notes that have been redeemed or repaid as of February 29, 2020. 4 Notes are unsubordinated debt obligations of Walgreens Boots Alliance and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance from time to time outstanding. 5 Other short-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt with various maturities and working capital facilities denominated in various currencies. 6 Notes are senior debt obligations of Walgreen Co. and rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreen Co. On December 31, 2014, Walgreens Boots Alliance fully and unconditionally guaranteed the outstanding notes on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis. The guarantee, for so long as it is in place, is an unsecured, unsubordinated debt obligation of Walgreens Boots Alliance and will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Walgreens Boots Alliance. 7 Other long-term debt represents a mix of fixed and variable rate debt in various currencies with various maturities.

Financial instruments (Tables)

Financial instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Notional Amounts, Fair Value and Balance Sheet Presentation of Derivative Instruments Outstanding	The notional amounts and fair value of derivative instruments outstanding were as follows (in millions): February 29, 2020 Notional Fair value Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges: Cross currency interest rate swaps $ 851 $ 42 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 378 7 Other current assets Cross currency interest rate swaps 100 1 Other current assets Cross currency interest rate swaps 206 4 Other non-current liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedges: Foreign currency forwards 2,873 52 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 1,265 9 Other current liabilities August 31, 2019 Notional Fair value Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Derivatives designated as hedges : Cross currency interest rate swaps $ 800 $ 73 Other non-current assets Foreign currency forwards 18 1 Other current assets Derivatives not designated as hedges : Foreign currency forwards 3,485 87 Other current assets Foreign currency forwards 707 6 Other current liabilities
Gains and (Losses) due to Changes in Fair Value Recognized in Earnings	The income (expenses) due to changes in fair value of these derivative instruments were recognized in earnings as follows (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Foreign currency forwards Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 13 $ (106) $ (61) $ (60) Foreign currency forwards Other income (7) (6) 4 (2)

Fair value measurements (Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows (in millions): February 29, 2020 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 146 $ 146 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 4 4 — — Foreign currency forwards 3 59 — 59 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 4 43 — 43 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 3 9 — 9 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 4 4 — 4 — August 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets : Money market funds 1 $ 217 $ 217 $ — $ — Investments in equity securities 2 5 5 — — Foreign currency forwards 3 88 — 88 — Cross currency interest rate swaps 4 73 — 73 — Liabilities : Foreign currency forwards 3 6 — 6 — 1 Money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor. 2 Fair values of quoted investments are based on current bid prices as of February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019. 3 The fair value of forward currency contracts is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current available forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using observable market rates. See note 8, financial instruments, for additional information. 4 The fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows based on the applicable observable yield curves. See note 8, financial instruments, for additional information.

Retirement benefits (Tables)

Retirement benefits (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	Components of net periodic pension costs for the defined benefit pension plans (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Service costs Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 1 $ 1 $ 2 $ 2 Interest costs Other income 37 50 72 99 Expected returns on plan assets/other Other income (73) (64) (144) (124) Total net periodic pension costs (income) $ (35) $ (13) $ (69) $ (23)

Accumulated other comprehensi_2

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following is a summary of net changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component and net of tax for the three and six months ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 (in millions): Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Share of OCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at November 30, 2019 $ (55) $ (24) $ 14 $ (5) $ (3,242) $ (3,313) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments 4 — 27 6 (121) (84) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (3) 1 — — — (2) Tax benefit (provision) (2) — (7) (2) 3 (8) Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (1) 1 21 4 (119) (94) Balance at February 29, 2020 $ (57) $ (24) $ 34 $ (1) $ (3,360) $ (3,407) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges Net investment hedges Share of OCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2019 $ (48) $ (24) $ 55 $ 3 $ (3,884) $ (3,897) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments (8) (1) (28) (5) 520 479 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1) 3 — — 2 Tax benefit (provision) (1) (1) 7 — 3 9 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (9) 1 (21) (5) 524 490 Balance at February 29, 2020 $ (57) $ (24) $ 34 $ (1) $ (3,360) $ (3,407) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 1 Net investment hedges 1 Share of AOCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at November 30, 2018 $ 97 $ (27) $ — $ 4 $ (3,305) $ (3,231) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments — (3) (16) (2) 537 516 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (4) 2 — — — (2) Other — — — — 7 7 Tax benefit (provision) 2 — 4 — (1) 5 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (2) (1) (12) (2) 543 526 Balance at February 28, 2019 $ 95 $ (28) $ (12) $ 2 $ (2,762) $ (2,705) Pension/ post-retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 1 Net investment hedges 1 Share of AOCI of equity method investments Cumulative translation adjustments Total Balance at August 31, 2018 $ 101 $ (30) $ — $ 3 $ (3,076) $ (3,002) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments — — (16) (1) 309 292 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (8) 3 — — — (5) Other — — — — 7 7 Tax benefit (provision) 2 (1) 4 — (2) 3 Net change in other comprehensive income (loss) (6) 2 (12) (1) 314 297 Balance at February 28, 2019 $ 95 $ (28) $ (12) $ 2 $ (2,762) $ (2,705) 1 Previously disclosed as Unrealized gain (loss) on hedges.

Segment reporting (Tables)

Segment reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	The following table reflects results of operations of the Company's reportable segments (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Sales: Retail Pharmacy USA $ 27,245 $ 26,257 $ 53,377 $ 51,979 Retail Pharmacy International 3,056 3,082 5,801 5,982 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 6,066 5,738 12,072 11,446 Eliminations 1 (546) (549) (1,091) (1,086) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 35,820 $ 34,528 $ 70,160 $ 68,321 Adjusted Operating income: Retail Pharmacy USA $ 1,267 $ 1,455 $ 2,423 $ 2,834 Retail Pharmacy International 198 256 276 388 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 235 225 464 445 Eliminations 1 2 (1) 2 — Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 1,703 $ 1,935 $ 3,166 $ 3,667 1 Eliminations relate to intersegment sales between the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and the Retail Pharmacy International segments. The following table reconciles adjusted operating income to operating income (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Adjusted operating income $ 1,703 $ 1,935 $ 3,166 $ 3,667 Acquisition-related amortization and impairment (117) (123) (235) (246) Acquisition-related costs (99) (82) (223) (148) Transformational cost management (123) (150) (209) (179) Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen (73) (9) (152) (54) LIFO provision (28) (8) (61) (48) Store optimization (30) (31) (39) (51) Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements — (14) — (24) Operating income $ 1,233 $ 1,517 $ 2,247 $ 2,918

Sales (Tables)

Sales (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table summarizes the Company’s sales by segment and by major source (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Retail Pharmacy USA Pharmacy $ 19,901 $ 18,892 $ 39,606 $ 38,039 Retail 7,344 7,366 13,772 13,940 Total 27,245 26,257 53,377 51,979 Retail Pharmacy International Pharmacy 1,025 1,010 2,026 2,049 Retail 2,031 2,072 3,775 3,933 Total 3,056 3,082 5,801 5,982 Pharmaceutical Wholesale 6,066 5,738 12,072 11,446 Eliminations 1 (546) (549) (1,091) (1,086) Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. $ 35,820 $ 34,528 $ 70,160 $ 68,321 1 Eliminations relate to intersegment sales between the Pharmaceutical Wholesale and the Retail Pharmacy International segments.

Related parties (Tables)

Related parties (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	Related party transactions with AmerisourceBergen (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Purchases, net $ 14,932 $ 14,064 $ 29,408 $ 28,386 February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Trade accounts payable, net $ 6,747 $ 6,484

New accounting pronouncements N

New accounting pronouncements New accounting pronouncements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	The impact to the Company's opening Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 1, 2019 was as follows (in millions): As reported Adjustments As revised September 1, 2019 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets Other current assets 1,118 (123) 995 Total current assets 18,700 (123) 18,577 Property, plant and equipment, net 13,478 267 13,745 Operating lease right-of-use assets — 21,600 21,600 Intangible assets, net 10,876 (220) 10,656 Total assets 67,598 21,524 89,122 Operating lease obligation - current — 2,267 2,267 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 5,474 (538) 4,936 Total current liabilities 25,769 1,729 27,498 Operating lease obligation - non-current — 21,858 21,858 Deferred income taxes 1,785 (142) 1,643 Other non-current liabilities 4,795 (1,479) 3,316 Total non-current liabilities 17,678 20,237 37,915 Retained earnings 35,815 (442) 35,373 Total liabilities and equity 67,598 21,524 89,122

Supplemental information (Table

Supplemental information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of Depreciation and Amortization Expense	The Company has recorded the following depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings (in millions): Three months ended Six months ended February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019 Depreciation expense $ 375 $ 360 $ 734 $ 717 Intangible asset and other amortization 117 139 235 273 Total depreciation and amortization expense $ 492 $ 499 $ 969 $ 990
Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following represents a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets to total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows as of February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019 (in millions): February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Cash and cash equivalents $ 792 $ 1,023 Restricted cash (included in other current assets) 196 184 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 988 $ 1,207
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following represents a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets to total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows as of February 29, 2020 and August 31, 2019 (in millions): February 29, 2020 August 31, 2019 Cash and cash equivalents $ 792 $ 1,023 Restricted cash (included in other current assets) 196 184 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 988 $ 1,207
Schedule of Dividends Payable	Cash dividends per common share declared were as follows: Quarter ended 2020 2019 November $ 0.4575 $ 0.4400 February 0.4575 0.4400 $ 0.92 $ 0.88

Acquisitions (Details)

Acquisitions (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017distribution_center
Rite Aid Corporation
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of distribution centers expected to be acquired | distribution_center			3
Rite Aid Corporation - Second Distribution Center
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business		$ 63
Rite Aid Corporation - First Distribution Center
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business	$ 61
Retail Pharmacy USA
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business	$ 60	$ 140

Exit and disposal activities -

Exit and disposal activities - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 20, 2018USD ($)	Oct. 24, 2017store	Oct. 31, 2019USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)store	Dec. 01, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 01, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 01, 2018USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of stores expected to close | store		600			750
Adoption of new accounting standards						$ 0	$ (442)	$ (88)
Retained earnings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Adoption of new accounting standards						$ 0	(442)	$ (88)
Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs incurred					$ 605
Transformational Cost Management Program | UNITED KINGDOM
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of stores expected to close | store					200
Transformational Cost Management Program | UNITED STATES
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of stores expected to close | store					200
Transformational Cost Management Program | Retained earnings
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Adoption of new accounting standards							$ (508)
Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost					$ 400
Costs incurred					335
Store Optimization Program | Previously Reported
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost					350
Cost Transformation Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in restructuring reserve					382
Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs incurred					36
Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost					190
Costs incurred					159
Asset impairment | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs incurred					275
Employee severance and business transition costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs incurred					236
Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs incurred					58
Employee severance and other exit costs | Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost					210
Costs incurred					176
Minimum | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected annual cost savings of restructuring plan	$ 1,000		$ 1,800	$ 1,500
Expected cost					1,900
Minimum | Exit and disposal costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost					1,600
Maximum | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost					2,400
Maximum | Exit and disposal costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected cost					$ 2,000

Exit and disposal activities _2

Exit and disposal activities - Restructuring Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	$ 109	$ 150	$ 173	$ 179
Transformational Cost Management Program | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	60	14	110	16
Transformational Cost Management Program | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	43	40	52	67
Transformational Cost Management Program | Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	5	96	12	96
Transformational Cost Management Program | Lease obligations and other real estate costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	10		11
Transformational Cost Management Program | Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	9		10
Transformational Cost Management Program | Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	1		1
Transformational Cost Management Program | Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	0		0
Transformational Cost Management Program | Asset impairment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	3	111	15	117
Transformational Cost Management Program | Asset impairment | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	3	0	11	0
Transformational Cost Management Program | Asset impairment | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	0	26	3	32
Transformational Cost Management Program | Asset impairment | Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	0	85	0	85
Transformational Cost Management Program | Employee severance and business transition costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	72	39	111	62
Transformational Cost Management Program | Employee severance and business transition costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	39	14	72	16
Transformational Cost Management Program | Employee severance and business transition costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	29	14	30	35
Transformational Cost Management Program | Employee severance and business transition costs | Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	4	11	9	11
Transformational Cost Management Program | Information technology transformation and other exit costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	24		36
Transformational Cost Management Program | Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	9		16
Transformational Cost Management Program | Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	13		17
Transformational Cost Management Program | Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	1		2
Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	30	31	39	51
Store Optimization Program | Lease obligations and other real estate costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	18	9	21	2
Store Optimization Program | Employee severance and other exit costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total pre-tax exit and disposal costs	$ 12	$ 22	$ 18	$ 49

Exit and disposal activities _3

Exit and disposal activities - Restructuring Reserve Activity (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)
Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 78
Costs	173
Payments	(70)
Other - non cash	(20)
ASC 842 Leases adoption	(4)
Currency translation adjustment	1
Ending balance	158
Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	429
Costs	39
Payments	(50)
Other - non cash	(6)
ASC 842 Leases adoption	(378)
Ending balance	34
Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	17
Costs	11
Payments	(1)
Other - non cash	3
ASC 842 Leases adoption	(4)
Currency translation adjustment	1
Ending balance	27
Lease obligations and other real estate costs | Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	407
Costs	21
Payments	(18)
Other - non cash	(1)
ASC 842 Leases adoption	(378)
Ending balance	31
Asset impairment | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Costs	15
Payments	0
Other - non cash	(15)
ASC 842 Leases adoption	0
Currency translation adjustment	0
Ending balance	0
Employee severance and business transition costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	57
Costs	111
Payments	(59)
Other - non cash	0
ASC 842 Leases adoption	0
Currency translation adjustment	0
Ending balance	110
Information technology transformation and other exit costs | Transformational Cost Management Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	4
Costs	36
Payments	(10)
Other - non cash	(8)
ASC 842 Leases adoption	0
Currency translation adjustment	0
Ending balance	22
Employee severance and other exit costs | Store Optimization Program
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	22
Costs	18
Payments	(32)
Other - non cash	(5)
ASC 842 Leases adoption	0
Ending balance	$ 3

Leases - Narrative (Details)

Leases - Narrative (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Renewal term	5 years
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Term of contract	15 years
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Term of contract	25 years

Leases - Supplemental Balance S

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Operating Leases:
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 21,755	$ 0
Operating lease obligation	2,278	0
Operating lease obligation	21,959	$ 0
Total operating lease obligations	24,237
Finance Leases:
Property, plant and equipment, net	802
Lease obligations included in:
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	46
Other non-current liabilities	1,032
Total finance lease obligations	$ 1,078

Leases - Components of Lease Co

Leases - Components of Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020
Operating lease cost
Fixed	$ 841	$ 1,670
Variable 1	208	428
Finance lease cost
Amortization	10	19
Interest	14	28
Sublease income	$ (16)	$ (31)

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Gains on sale-leaseback transactions	$ 63	$ 140
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations
Operating cash flows from operating leases		1,677
Operating cash flows from finance leases		24
Financing cash flows from finance leases		23
Total		1,724
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations:
Operating leases		1,313
Finance leases		65
Total		$ 1,378

Leases - Average Lease Terms An

Leases - Average Lease Terms And Discounts (Details)	Feb. 29, 2020
Weighted average remaining lease term in years:
Operating leases	10 years 10 months 24 days
Finance leases	21 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases	4.94%
Finance leases	5.32%

Leases - Future Lease Payments

Leases - Future Lease Payments for Operating and Finance Leases (Details) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)
Finance lease
2020 (Remaining period)	$ 48
2021	95
2022	92
2023	89
2024	89
2025	87
Later	1,218
Total undiscounted minimum lease payments	1,718
Less: Present value discount	(640)
Lease liability	1,078
Operating lease
2020 (Remaining period)	1,712
2021	3,340
2022	3,176
2023	3,021
2024	2,865
2025	2,690
Later	14,682
Total undiscounted minimum lease payments	31,486
Less: Present value discount	(7,249)
Operating lease liability	$ 24,237

Equity method investments - Sch

Equity method investments - Schedule of Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value	$ 6,921	$ 6,851
AmerisourceBergen
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value	$ 5,206	$ 5,211
Ownership percentage	28.00%	27.00%
Others
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value	$ 1,715	$ 1,640
Others | Minimum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	8.00%		8.00%
Others | Maximum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Total
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value	$ 6,921	$ 6,851

Equity method investments - Nar

Equity method investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)			$ 47	$ 145
AmerisourceBergen
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Outstanding shares owned (in shares)	56,854,867		56,854,867		56,854,867
Ownership percentage	28.00%		28.00%		27.00%
Period of reporting lag			2 months
Equity investment, exceeded its proportionate share of net assets	$ 4,400		$ 4,400
AmerisourceBergen | Level 1
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value of equity investment	4,800		4,800
Other Investments
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings (losses)	$ 15	$ 9	$ 7	$ 24

Goodwill and other intangible_3

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Jun. 01, 2019
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 117	$ 139	$ 235	$ 273
Boots Reporting Unit
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting unit fair value in excess of carrying amount (as a percent)	4.00%		4.00%		9.00%

Goodwill and other intangible_4

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Net book value - Beginning Period	$ 16,560
Acquisitions	47
Currency translation adjustments	181
Net book value - Ending Period	16,788
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Net book value - Beginning Period	10,491
Acquisitions	47
Currency translation adjustments	0
Net book value - Ending Period	10,538
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Net book value - Beginning Period	3,179
Acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustments	84
Net book value - Ending Period	3,263
Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Net book value - Beginning Period	2,890
Acquisitions	0
Currency translation adjustments	97
Net book value - Ending Period	$ 2,987

Goodwill and other intangible_5

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	$ 5,283	$ 5,787
Accumulated amortization	1,821	2,021
Total amortizable intangible assets, net	3,462	3,766
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	7,466	7,110
Total intangible assets, net	10,929	10,876
Trade names and trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	5,494	5,232
Pharmacy licenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	1,972	1,878
Customer relationships and loyalty card holders
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	4,397	4,290
Accumulated amortization	1,437	1,262
Favorable lease interests and non-compete agreements1
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	58	654
Accumulated amortization	26	410
Trade names and trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	455	461
Accumulated amortization	255	250
Purchasing and payer contracts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amortizable intangible assets	373	382
Accumulated amortization	$ 103	$ 99

Goodwill and other intangible_6

Goodwill and other intangible assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)
Estimated annual intangible assets amortization expense [Abstract]
2021	$ 432
2022	413
2023	379
2024	360
2025	$ 330

Debt - Short and Long-Term Debt

Debt - Short and Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 5,984	$ 5,738
Total long-term debt, less current portion	10,625	11,098
Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other	24	25
Total long-term debt, less current portion	10,625	11,098
Unsecured Notes | 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 0	488
Stated interest rate	2.875%
Unsecured Notes | 3.450% unsecured notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 1,890	1,890
Stated interest rate	3.45%
Unsecured Notes | 4.650% unsecured notes due 2046
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 591	591
Stated interest rate	4.65%
Unsecured Notes | 3.300% unsecured notes due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 1,247	1,247
Stated interest rate	3.30%
Unsecured Notes | 3.800% unsecured notes due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 1,992	1,992
Stated interest rate	3.80%
Unsecured Notes | 4.500% unsecured notes due 2034
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 496	495
Stated interest rate	4.50%
Unsecured Notes | 4.800% unsecured notes due 2044
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 1,493	1,492
Stated interest rate	4.80%
Unsecured Notes | 3.600% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 384	365
Stated interest rate	3.60%
Unsecured Notes | 2.125% unsecured Euro notes due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 818	824
Stated interest rate	2.125%
Unsecured Notes | 3.100% unsecured notes due 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 1,197	1,197
Stated interest rate	3.10%
Unsecured Notes | 4.400% unsecured notes due 2042
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes, net of unamortized discount and interest rate swap FMV adjustment	$ 493	493
Stated interest rate	4.40%
Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 2,517	2,400
Credit facilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	2,512	1,624
Notes payable to banks | 2.700% unsecured notes due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 0	1,250
Stated interest rate	2.70%
Notes payable to banks | 2.875% unsecured Pound sterling notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 513	0
Other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total short-term debt	$ 443	$ 464

Debt - Note Issuances (Details)

Debt - Note Issuances (Details) - Feb. 29, 2020	USD ($)	GBP (£)	EUR (€)
Total $6.0 billion debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 6,000,000,000
Fair value of the notes	2,600,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	2,500,000,000
Total $8.0 billion debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	8,000,000,000
Fair value of the notes	5,500,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	5,200,000,000
Total 700 million pounds debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount | £		£ 700,000,000
Fair value of the notes	900,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	900,000,000
Total 750 million euros debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount | €			€ 750,000,000
Fair value of the notes	900,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	800,000,000
Total $4.0 billion debt issuance
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	4,000,000,000
Fair value of the notes	1,800,000,000
Carrying value of the notes	$ 1,700,000,000

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2019USD ($)	Aug. 30, 2019USD ($)credit_agreement	Jan. 18, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 21, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 05, 2018USD ($)	Aug. 29, 2018USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest paid	$ 337,000,000	$ 349,000,000
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to total capitalization ratio	0.60
Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average daily short-term borrowings	$ 3,000,000,000	$ 2,400,000,000
Weighted average interest rate	2.42%	2.96%
Term Loan | December 2018 Term Loan Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing outstanding	$ 1,000,000,000
Face amount						$ 1,000,000,000
Line of Credit | November 2018 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing outstanding	900,000,000
Credit facilities | August 2019 Revolving Credit Agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of credit agreements | credit_agreement			3
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 500,000,000
Borrowing outstanding	0
Credit facilities | January 2019 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 2,000,000,000
Borrowing outstanding	600,000,000
Credit facilities | December 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 1,000,000,000
Borrowing outstanding	100,000,000
Credit facilities | August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing outstanding	$ 0
Face amount							$ 3,500,000,000
Credit facilities | Line of Credit | November 2018 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 500,000,000
Unsecured Debt | Line of Credit | November 2018 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 500,000,000
Letter of Credit | August 2018 Revolving Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount							$ 500,000,000

Financial instruments (Details)

Financial instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Selling, general and administrative expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gains and (losses) due to changes in fair value of derivative instruments	$ 13	$ (106)	$ (61)	$ (60)
Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other income
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gains and (losses) due to changes in fair value of derivative instruments	(7)	$ (6)	4	$ (2)
Other non-current assets | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	851		851		$ 800
Fair value	42		42		73
Other current assets | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	100		100
Fair value	1		1
Other current assets | Foreign currency forwards | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	378		378		18
Fair value	7		7		1
Other current assets | Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	2,873		2,873		3,485
Fair value	52		52		87
Other non-current liabilities | Cross currency interest rate swaps | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	206		206
Fair value	4		4
Other current liabilities | Foreign currency forwards | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional	1,265		1,265		707
Fair value	$ 9		$ 9		$ 6

Fair value measurements (Detail

Fair value measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	$ 146	$ 217
Investments in equity securities	4	5
Level 1
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	146	217
Investments in equity securities	4	5
Level 2
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	0	0
Investments in equity securities	0	0
Level 3
Assets [Abstract]
Money market funds	0	0
Investments in equity securities	0	0
Foreign currency forwards
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	59	88
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	9	6
Foreign currency forwards | Level 1
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0	0
Foreign currency forwards | Level 2
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	59	88
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	9	6
Foreign currency forwards | Level 3
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0	0
Cross currency interest rate swaps
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	43	73
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	4
Cross currency interest rate swaps | Level 1
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	0
Cross currency interest rate swaps | Level 2
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	43	73
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	4
Cross currency interest rate swaps | Level 3
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative asset	0	$ 0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative liability	$ 0

Commitments and contingencies (

Commitments and contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 22, 2019USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Payments for legal settlements	$ 209

Income taxes (Details)

Income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	14.60%	16.70%	9.70%	15.50%
Income taxes paid			$ 592	$ 766

Retirement benefits (Details)

Retirement benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Total net periodic pension costs (income)	$ (35)	$ (13)	$ (69)	$ (23)
Employer cash contributions to defined benefit pension plans			10
Expected employer cash contributions to defined benefit plan in current fiscal year	22		22
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Service costs	1	1	2	2
Other income (expense)
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Interest costs	37	50	72	99
Expected returns on plan assets/other	(73)	(64)	(144)	(124)
UNITED STATES
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Profit sharing provision expense	55	64	113	125
Foreign Plan
Components of net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Cost recognized in the consolidated condensed statements of earnings	$ 29	$ 33	$ 67	$ 64

Accumulated other comprehensi_3

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 24,314	$ 26,263	$ 24,152	$ 26,689
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(94)	536	505	304
Ending Balance	24,334	25,413	24,334	25,413
Pension/ post-retirement obligations
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(55)	97	(48)	101
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	4	0	(8)	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(3)	(4)	(1)	(8)
Other		0		0
Tax benefit (provision)	(2)	2	(1)	2
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(1)	(2)	(9)	(6)
Ending Balance	(57)	95	(57)	95
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(24)	(27)	(24)	(30)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	0	(3)	(1)	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	1	2	3	3
Other		0		0
Tax benefit (provision)	0	0	(1)	(1)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1	(1)	1	2
Ending Balance	(24)	(28)	(24)	(28)
Net investment hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	14	0	55	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	27	(16)	(28)	(16)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		0		0
Other		0		0
Tax benefit (provision)	(7)	4	7	4
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	21	(12)	(21)	(12)
Ending Balance	34	(12)	34	(12)
Share of OCI of equity method investments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(5)	4	3	3
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	6	(2)	(5)	(1)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	0	0	0
Other		0		0
Tax benefit (provision)	(2)	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	4	(2)	(5)	(1)
Ending Balance	(1)	2	(1)	2
Cumulative translation adjustments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(3,242)	(3,305)	(3,884)	(3,076)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(121)	537	520	309
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	0	0	0
Other		7		7
Tax benefit (provision)	3	(1)	3	(2)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(119)	543	524	314
Ending Balance	(3,360)	(2,762)	(3,360)	(2,762)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(3,313)	(3,231)	(3,897)	(3,002)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments	(84)	516	479	292
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(2)	(2)	2	(5)
Other		7		7
Tax benefit (provision)	(8)	5	9	3
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(94)	526	490	297
Ending Balance	$ (3,407)	$ (2,705)	$ (3,407)	$ (2,705)

Segment reporting (Details)

Segment reporting (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2019USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)segment	Feb. 28, 2019USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment			3
Sales	$ 35,820	$ 34,528	$ 70,160	$ 68,321
Adjusted operating income	1,703	1,935	3,166	3,667
Acquisition-related amortization and impairment	(117)	(123)	(235)	(246)
Acquisition-related costs	(99)	(82)	(223)	(148)
Transformational cost management	(123)	(150)	(209)	(179)
Adjustments to equity earnings in AmerisourceBergen	(73)	(9)	(152)	(54)
LIFO provision	(28)	(8)	(61)	(48)
Store optimization	(30)	(31)	(39)	(51)
Certain legal and regulatory accruals and settlements	0	(14)	0	(24)
Operating income	1,233	1,517	2,247	2,918
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	27,245	26,257	53,377	51,979
Adjusted operating income	1,267	1,455	2,423	2,834
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	3,056	3,082	5,801	5,982
Adjusted operating income	198	256	276	388
Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	6,066	5,738	12,072	11,446
Adjusted operating income	235	225	464	445
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	(546)	(549)	(1,091)	(1,086)
Adjusted operating income	$ 2	$ (1)	$ 2	$ 0

Sales (Details)

Sales (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	$ 35,820	$ 34,528	$ 70,160	$ 68,321
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	27,245	26,257	53,377	51,979
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA | Pharmacy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	19,901	18,892	39,606	38,039
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy USA | Retail
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	7,344	7,366	13,772	13,940
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	3,056	3,082	5,801	5,982
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International | Pharmacy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	1,025	1,010	2,026	2,049
Reportable Segments | Retail Pharmacy International | Retail
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	2,031	2,072	3,775	3,933
Reportable Segments | Pharmaceutical Wholesale
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	6,066	5,738	12,072	11,446
Eliminations
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	$ (546)	$ (549)	$ (1,091)	$ (1,086)

Related parties (Details)

Related parties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Purchases, net	$ 14,932	$ 14,064	$ 29,408	$ 28,386
Trade accounts payable, net	$ 6,747		$ 6,747		$ 6,484

New accounting pronouncements -

New accounting pronouncements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 01, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Dec. 01, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019	Sep. 01, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease liability		$ 24,237
Operating lease right-of-use assets		$ 21,755		$ 0
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle in period of adoption	$ (442)		$ 0		$ (88)
Term of renewal contract		5 years
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease liability	24,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets	22,000
Impaired long-lived assets	800
De-recognition of deferred gains on historical sale and leaseback transactions	400
Retained earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle in period of adoption	(442)		$ 0		$ (88)
Retained earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of new accounting principle in period of adoption	$ (400)
Minimum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Term of lease		15 years
Maximum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Term of lease		25 years

New accounting pronouncements_2

New accounting pronouncements - Effect of Lease 842 Adoption (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2020	Sep. 01, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other current assets	$ 893		$ 1,118
Total current assets	18,909		18,700
Property, plant and equipment, net	13,482		13,478
Operating lease right-of-use assets	21,755		0
Intangible assets, net	10,929		10,876
Total assets	90,003		67,598
Operating lease obligation	2,278		0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	5,408		5,474
Total current liabilities	28,662		25,769
Operating lease obligation	21,959		0
Deferred income taxes	1,637		1,785
Other non-current liabilities	2,786		4,795
Total non-current liabilities	37,007		17,678
Retained earnings	36,351		35,815
Total liabilities and equity	$ 90,003		67,598
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other current assets		$ 995
Total current assets		18,577
Property, plant and equipment, net		13,745
Operating lease right-of-use assets		21,600
Intangible assets, net		10,656
Total assets		89,122
Operating lease obligation		2,267
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		4,936
Total current liabilities		27,498
Operating lease obligation		21,858
Deferred income taxes		1,643
Other non-current liabilities		3,316
Total non-current liabilities		37,915
Retained earnings		35,373
Total liabilities and equity		89,122
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Previously Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other current assets			1,118
Total current assets			18,700
Property, plant and equipment, net			13,478
Intangible assets, net			10,876
Total assets			67,598
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			5,474
Total current liabilities			25,769
Deferred income taxes			1,785
Other non-current liabilities			4,795
Total non-current liabilities			17,678
Retained earnings			35,815
Total liabilities and equity			$ 67,598
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Adjustments
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other current assets		(123)
Total current assets		(123)
Property, plant and equipment, net		267
Operating lease right-of-use assets		21,600
Intangible assets, net		(220)
Total assets		21,524
Operating lease obligation		2,267
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		(538)
Total current liabilities		1,729
Operating lease obligation		21,858
Deferred income taxes		(142)
Other non-current liabilities		(1,479)
Total non-current liabilities		20,237
Retained earnings		(442)
Total liabilities and equity		$ 21,524

Supplemental information - Narr

Supplemental information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable from related party	$ 1,300		$ 1,200
Accumulated depreciation and amortization on property, plant, and equipment	11,900		11,300
Restricted cash (included in other current assets)	$ 196		184
Antidilutive securities excluded from EPS calculations (in shares)	18.7	14.4
Trade Accounts Receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade receivables	$ 6,300		$ 6,000

Supplemental information - Depr

Supplemental information - Depreciation and Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 375	$ 360	$ 734	$ 717
Intangible asset and other amortization	117	139	235	273
Total depreciation and amortization expense	$ 492	$ 499	$ 969	$ 990

Supplemental information - Summ

Supplemental information - Summary of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 29, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 792	$ 1,023	$ 792
Restricted cash (included in other current assets)	196	184
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 988	$ 1,207	$ 1,009	$ 975

Supplemental information - Su_2

Supplemental information - Summary of Dividends per Share (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Nov. 30, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.4575	$ 0.4575	$ 0.4400	$ 0.4400	$ 0.92	$ 0.88

Subsequent event (Details)

Subsequent event (Details) - Subsequent Event - USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Credit facilities		$ 8,300,000,000
Commercial paper		$ 2,000,000,000
April 2020 Revolving Credit Agreement [Member] | Credit facilities
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 750,000,000
Borrowing outstanding	$ 0