McCormick & Company (MKC) 10-Q 31 Mar 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	MCCORMICK & CO INC
Entity Central Index Key	63754
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	28-Feb-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	11,969,465
Nonvoting Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	115,816,466

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_INCOME_

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$1,010.40	$993.40
Cost of goods sold	620.7	601.9
Gross profit	389.7	391.5
Selling, general and administrative expense	267.6	266.9
Special Charges	28.4
Operating income	93.7	124.6
Interest expense	12.9	12.4
Other expense (income), net	0.2	-0.2
Income from consolidated operations before income taxes	80.6	112.4
Income taxes	20	35
Net income from consolidated operations	60.6	77.4
Income from unconsolidated operations	9.9	5.1
Net income	$70.50	$82.50
Earnings per share - basic (usd per share)	$0.55	$0.63
Average shares outstanding - basic (shares)	128.2	131.1
Earnings per share - diluted (usd per share)	$0.55	$0.62
Average shares outstanding - diluted (shares)	129.3	132.2
Cash dividends paid per common share (usd per share)	$0.40	$0.37

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net income	$70.50	$82.50
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1.2	1
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	9.6	3.8
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-137.2	4.3
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, before Tax	1.2	0.3
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	-2.5	-1.5
Comprehensive Income	($57.20)	$90.40

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$81.80	$77.30	$89.40
Trade accounts receivables, net	384.1	493.6	428
Inventories
Finished products	297.6	303.2	309
Raw materials and work-in-process	410.8	410.6	373.9
Total inventory	708.4	713.8	682.9
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	130.4	131.5	139.8
Total current assets	1,304.70	1,416.20	1,340.10
Property, plant and equipment	1,457.20	1,481.40	1,423
Less: accumulated depreciation	-876.6	-878.7	-852
Property, plant and equipment, net	580.6	602.7	571
Goodwill	1,651.20	1,722.20	1,809.10
Intangible assets, net	323.1	330.8	332.8
Investments and other assets	337.9	342.4	376.7
Total assets	4,197.50	4,414.30	4,429.70
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	310.5	269.6	280.2
Current portion of long-term debt	205.7	1.2	1.8
Trade accounts payable	334.6	372.1	348
Other accrued liabilities	370.2	479.1	382.1
Total current liabilities	1,221	1,122	1,012.10
Long-term debt	806.8	1,014.10	1,016.60
Other long-term liabilities	465.8	468.8	413.6
Total liabilities	2,493.60	2,604.90	2,442.30
Shareholders' Equity
Retained earnings	992	982.6	993.2
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-314.9	-186	6.6
Non-controlling interests	20	17.2	15.9
Total shareholders' equity	1,703.90	1,809.40	1,987.40
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	4,197.50	4,414.30	4,429.70
Common Stock
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock	372.6	367.2	356
Nonvoting Common Stock
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock	$634.20	$628.40	$615.70

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_CASH_FL

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$70.50	$82.50
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24.9	26.8
Stock-based compensation	3.7	2.6
Income from unconsolidated operations	-9.9	-5.1
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	3	-34.1
Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates	3.7	4
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	95.9	76.7
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	-15.5	-18.5
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	0.5
Net cash flow used in investing activities	-15.5	-18
Cash flows from financing activities
Short-term borrowings, net	40.9	68.4
Long-term debt repayments	-0.2	-0.4
Proceeds from exercised stock options	11.3	8.9
Common stock acquired by purchase	-64.9	-56.9
Dividends paid	-51.3	-48.6
Net cash flow (used in) provided by financing activities	-64.2	-28.6
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-11.7	-3.7
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	4.5	26.4
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	77.3	63
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$81.80	$89.40

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
ACCOUNTING POLICIES	ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all the information and notes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for complete financial statements. In our opinion, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented.
	The results of consolidated operations for the three month period ended February 28, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Historically, our net sales, net income and cash flow from operations are lower in the first half of the fiscal year and increase in the second half. The typical increase in net sales, net income and cash flow from operations in the second half of the year is largely due to the consumer business cycle in the U.S., where customers typically purchase more products in the fourth quarter due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.
	For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2014.
	Accounting and Disclosure Changes
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This guidance is intended to improve and converge with international standards the financial reporting requirements for revenue from contracts with customers. It will be effective for our first quarter of 2018 and early adoption is not permitted. We have not yet determined the impact from adoption of this new accounting pronouncement on our financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS
	In February 2015, we signed an agreement to purchase 100% of the shares of Drogheria & Alimentari (D&A), a privately held company based in Italy. The completion of the acquisition is expected to occur in mid-2015, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. As a supplier of both brand and private label products, D&A, which will be included in our consumer business segment following completion of the acquisition, is a leader of the spice and seasoning category in Italy. Annual sales of D&A were approximately €50 million. The purchase price will consist of a cash payment of €50 million, subject to certain closing adjustments, and a potential earn out payment in 2018 of up to €35 million, based upon the performance of the business.

Special_Charges

Special Charges	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Special Charges [Abstract]
Special Charges [Text Block]
		SPECIAL CHARGES
	We continue to evaluate changes to our organization structure to enable us to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes, and improve our competitiveness.
	In January 2015, we offered a voluntary retirement plan, which included enhanced separation benefits but did not include supplementary pension benefits, to certain U.S. employees aged 55 years or older with at least ten years of service to the Company. Upon our receipt of notification from participants that they accepted this plan, which closed in the first quarter of 2015, we accrued special charges of $24.5 million, consisting of employee severance and related costs that will be paid in cash. Substantially all of the affected employees will leave the company in 2015, with the majority exiting in the second quarter.
	The voluntary retirement plan is part of our ongoing North American effectiveness initiative that, upon completion, is expected to generate cost savings of approximately $10 million in 2015 and annual cost savings with a full year impact of approximately $25 million beginning in 2016. We currently estimate the total cost to implement the North American effectiveness initiative to approximate $26 million, including the cost of the voluntary early retirement plan and other actions necessary to achieve the cost savings previously described, consisting principally of severance and related benefits that will be paid in cash. The following table outlines the major components of accrual balances and activity relating to the special charges associated with our North American effectiveness initiative for the three months ended February 28, 2015 (in millions):
		Employee severance and related benefits			Other related costs			Total
	Special charges	$	23.9		$	0.6		$	24.5
	Amounts utilized	(0.4		)	—			(0.4		)
	Balance as of February 28, 2015	$	23.5		$	0.6		$	24.1
	In late 2013, we announced a reorganization in parts of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region to further improve EMEA’s profitability and process standardization while supporting its competitiveness and long-term growth. These actions included the closure of our current sales and distribution operations in The Netherlands, with the transition to a third-party distributor model to continue to sell the Silvo brand, as well as actions intended to reduce selling, general and administrative activities throughout EMEA, including the centralization of shared service activity across the region into Poland. In fiscal years 2013 and 2014, we recorded a total of $27.1 million of cash and non-cash charges related to this reorganization. We expect to realize annual cost savings of approximately $10 million in 2015 for the EMEA reorganization.
	The following table outlines the major components of accrual balances and activity relating to the special charges associated with the EMEA reorganization plan undertaken in 2013 and 2014 for the three months ended February 28, 2015 (in millions):
		Employee severance and related benefits			Other related costs			Total
	Balance as of November 30, 2014	$	9.3		$	0.7		$	10
	Amounts utilized	(1.9		)	(0.4		)	(2.3		)
	Balance as of February 28, 2015	$	7.4		$	0.3		$	7.7
	In the first quarter of 2015, we recorded a special charge of $3.9 million to undertake actions, principally consisting of severance and related costs, to change our organization structure to further reduce selling, general and administrative expenses throughout EMEA. The actions associated with this special charge are expected to be completed in 2015 and to generate annual cost savings of $3.0 million by 2016. The following table outlines the major components of accrual balances and activity relating to the special charges associated with the EMEA reorganization plan undertaken for the three months ended February 28, 2015 (in millions):
		Employee severance and related benefits			Other related costs			Total
	Special charges	$	3.5		$	0.4		$	3.9
	Amounts utilized	(0.5		)	—			(0.5		)
	Balance as of February 28, 2015	$	3		$	0.4		$	3.4
	Of the $28.4 million of special charges recorded in the first quarter of 2015, $19.2 million related to our consumer business segment and $9.2 million related to our industrial business segment. All liability balances associated with our special charges are included in other accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet.

Financial_instruments

Financial instruments	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	We use derivative financial instruments to enhance our ability to manage risk, including foreign currency and interest rate exposures, which exist as part of our ongoing business operations. We do not enter into contracts for trading purposes, nor are we a party to any leveraged derivative instruments. The use of derivative financial instruments is monitored through regular communication with senior management and the use of written guidelines.
	As of February 28, 2015, the maximum time frame for our foreign exchange forward contracts is 21 months. The amount of foreign exchange forward contracts greater than 12 months is not material. For all derivatives, the net amount of accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be reclassified in the next 12 months is $5.7 million as an increase to earnings.
	All derivatives are recognized at fair value in the balance sheet and recorded in either current or noncurrent other assets or other accrued liabilities or other long-term liabilities depending upon nature and maturity.
	The following table discloses the fair values of derivative instruments on our balance sheet (in millions):
	As of February 28, 2015	Asset Derivatives										Liability Derivatives
		Balance Sheet		Notional				Fair				Balance Sheet		Notional			Fair
		Location		Amount				Value				Location		Amount			Value
	Interest rate contracts	Other current		$	100			$	4.9
		assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current		92.3				8.4				Other accrued		$	178.4		$	3.4
		assets										liabilities
	Total							$	13.3								$	3.4
	As of February 28, 2014	Asset Derivatives										Liability Derivatives
		Balance Sheet		Notional				Fair				Balance Sheet		Notional			Fair
		Location		Amount				Value				Location		Amount			Value
	Interest rate contracts	Other current		$	100			$	9.7
		assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current		138.7				2.4				Other accrued		$	64.9		$	1.9
		assets										liabilities
	Total							$	12.1								$	1.9
	As of November 30, 2014	Asset Derivatives										Liability Derivatives
		Balance Sheet		Notional				Fair				Balance Sheet		Notional			Fair
		Location		Amount				Value				Location		Amount			Value
	Interest rate contracts	Other current		$	100			$	7.4
		assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current		106.3				4.9				Other accrued		$	156.4		$	1.4
		assets										liabilities
	Total							$	12.3								$	1.4
	The following tables disclose the impact of derivative instruments on our other comprehensive income (OCI), accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and our income statement for the three month period ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 (in millions):
	Fair Value Hedges -
	For the 3 months ended February 28,
	Derivative		Income statement		Expense
			location
					2015				2014
	Interest rate contracts		Interest  expense		$	1.2			$	1.2
	Cash Flow Hedges –
	For the 3 months ended February 28,
	Derivative		Gain or (Loss)								Income		Gain or (Loss)
			recognized in OCI								statement		reclassified from
											location		AOCI
			2015				2014						2015			2014
	Interest rate contracts		$	—			$	—			Interest		$	—		$	—
											expense
	Foreign exchange contracts		3				—				Cost of goods sold		1.1			(0.4		)
	Total		$	3			$	—					$	1.1		$	(0.4	)
	The amount of gain or loss recognized in income on the ineffective portion of derivative instruments is not material. The amounts noted in the tables above for OCI do not include any adjustments for the impact of deferred income taxes.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value can be measured using valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). Accounting standards utilize a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:
	•	Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
	•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
	Our population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis are as follows (in millions):
					February 28, 2015
			Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	81.8	$	81.8	$	—	$	—
	Insurance contracts		106.8		—		106.8		—
	Bonds and other long-term investments		7.8		7.8		—		—
	Interest rate derivatives		4.9		—		4.9		—
	Foreign currency derivatives		8.4		—		8.4		—
	Total		$	209.7	$	89.6	$	120.1	$	—
	Liabilities
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	3.4	$	—	$	3.4	$	—
					February 28, 2014
			Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	89.4	$	89.4	$	—	$	—
	Insurance contracts		92.3		—		92.3		—
	Bonds and other long-term investments		15.2		15.2		—		—
	Interest rate derivatives		9.7		—		9.7		—
	Foreign currency derivatives		2.4		—		2.4		—
	Total		$	209	$	104.6	$	104.4	$	—
	Liabilities
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	1.9	$	—	$	1.9	$	—
					November 30, 2014
			Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	77.3	$	77.3	$	—	$	—
	Insurance contracts		104.5		—		104.5		—
	Bonds and other long-term investments		8.5		8.5		—		—
	Interest rate derivatives		7.4		—		7.4		—
	Foreign currency derivatives		4.9		—		4.9		—
	Total		$	202.6	$	85.8	$	116.8	$	—
	Liabilities
	Foreign currency derivatives		$	1.4	$	—	$	1.4	$	—
	The fair values of insurance contracts are based upon the underlying values of the securities in which they are invested and are from quoted market prices from various stock and bond exchanges for similar type assets. The fair values of bonds and other long-term investments are based on quoted market prices from various stock and bond exchanges. The fair values for interest rate and foreign currency derivatives are based on values for similar instruments using models with market based inputs.

Employee_Benefit_and_Retiremen

Employee Benefit and Retirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT PLANS	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT PLANS
	The following table presents the components of our pension expense of the defined benefit plans for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 (in millions):
		United States						International
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Defined benefit plans
	Service cost	$	5.9		$	5		$	2.1		$	2
	Interest costs	7.9			7.8			3.1			3.4
	Expected return on plan assets	(10.0		)	(9.7		)	(4.4		)	(4.7		)
	Amortization of prior service costs	—			—			0.1			0.1
	Recognized net actuarial loss	4.2			2.9			1.5			1.2
	Total pension expense	$	8		$	6		$	2.4		$	2
	During the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, we contributed $7.3 million and $8.9 million, respectively, to our pension plans. Total contributions to our pension plans in fiscal year 2014 were $16.8 million.
	The following table presents the components of our other postretirement benefits expense (in millions):
			Three months ended February 28,
			2015			2014
	Other postretirement benefits
	Service cost		$	0.8		$	1
	Interest costs		0.9			1
	Total other postretirement expense		$	1.7		$	2

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	We have three types of stock-based compensation awards: restricted stock units (RSUs), stock options and company stock awarded as part of our long-term performance plan (LTPP). The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense recorded in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense (in millions):
		Three months ended February 28,
		2015			2014
	Stock-based compensation expense	$	3.7		$	2.6
	Our 2015 annual grant of stock options and RSUs is expected to occur in the second quarter, similar to the 2014 annual grant.
	The following is a summary of our stock option activity for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014:
		2015					2014
	(shares in millions)	Number		Weighted-			Number		Weighted-
		of		Average			of		Average
		Shares		Exercise			Shares		Exercise
				Price					Price
	Outstanding at beginning of period	4.8		$	54.17		4.6		$	47.73
	Exercised	(0.3	)	39.9			(0.3	)	32.19
	Outstanding at end of the period	4.5		54.89			4.3		48.87
	Exercisable at end of the period	2.7		$	47.1		2.4		$	40.98
	As of February 28, 2015 the intrinsic value (the difference between the exercise price and the market price) for all options outstanding was $92.5 million and for options currently exercisable was $76.2 million. The total intrinsic value of all options exercised during the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 was $8.5 million and $11.7 million, respectively.
	The following is a summary of our RSU activity for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014:
		2015					2014
	(shares in thousands)	Number		Weighted-			Number		Weighted-
		of		Average			of		Average
		Shares		Grant-Date			Shares		Grant-Date
				Fair Value					Fair Value
	Outstanding at beginning of period	239		$	67.6		161		$	60.86
	Vested	—		—			(2	)	38.28
	Forfeited	(3	)	71.19			(1	)	65.23
	Outstanding at end of period	236		$	67.55		158		$	61.1
	The following is a summary of our LTPP activity for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014:
		2015					2014
	(shares in thousands)	Number		Weighted-			Number		Weighted-
		of		Average			of		Average
		Shares		Grant-Date			Shares		Grant-Date
				Fair Value					Fair Value
	Outstanding at beginning of period	231		$	61.94		334		$	51.73
	Granted	96		74.02			105		69.04
	Vested	(65	)	48.78			(118	)	44.47
	Forfeited	—		—			(2	)	44.47
	Outstanding at end of period	262		$	69.64		319		$	60.15

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax disclosure	INCOME TAXES
	Income taxes for the three months ended February 28, 2015 included $3.8 million of discrete tax benefits. Of that amount, $1.8 million related to the reversal of unrecognized tax benefits and interest associated with a statute of limitation expiration in an international jurisdiction and the remainder principally related to the recognition of a 2014 research tax credit. A new law was enacted in the first quarter 2015 that retroactively granted the credit for our tax year 2014. Other than the $1.8 million reversal previously described and additions for current year tax positions, there were no significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended February 28, 2015. We believe that it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of February 28, 2015 could decrease by approximately $7.0 million in the next 12 months as a result of various statute expirations, audit closures, and/or tax settlements.
	During the three months ended February 28, 2014, the Company reached a settlement with respect to the French taxing authority’s audits of the 2007-2011 tax years. In connection with that settlement, the Company recognized international tax expense of $2.2 million related to adjustments agreed as part of the settlement and a tax benefit of $5.8 million associated with the reversal of unrecognized tax benefits and interest related to the settlement. Income taxes for the three months ended February 28, 2014, included the following discrete tax items in addition to those associated with the French tax settlement: (i) international tax expense of $0.6 million related to an increased valuation allowance associated with prior year losses of a non-U.S. subsidiary due to a change in our assessment of the likely realization of such losses; and (ii) international tax expense of $3.7 million related to fiscal year 2013 arising from a retroactive change in French tax law enacted in the three months ended February 28, 2014. (Later in 2014, final legislative guidance on that French tax law change was issued, which resulted in our reversal, during the third quarter of 2014, of the $3.7 million of tax expense that was provided in the first quarter of 2014.)

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_I

Earnings Per Share and Stock Issuances	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE AND STOCK ISSUANCES	EARNINGS PER SHARE AND STOCK ISSUANCE
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of average shares outstanding (in millions):
		Three months ended February 28,
		2015	2014
	Average shares outstanding – basic	128.2	131.1
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options/RSUs/LTPP	1.1	1.1
	Average shares outstanding – diluted	129.3	132.2
	The following table sets forth the stock options and RSUs for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 which were not considered in our earnings per share calculation since they were anti-dilutive (in millions):
		Three months ended February 28,
		2015	2014
	Anti-dilutive securities	0.4	0.9
	The following table sets forth the common stock activity for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 under the Company’s stock option and employee stock purchase plans and the repurchases of common stock under its stock repurchase program (in millions):
		Three months ended February 28,
		2015	2014
	Shares issued under stock option, employee stock purchase plans and RSUs	0.3	0.3
	Shares repurchased in connection with the stock repurchase program	0.9	0.9
	As of February 28, 2015, $51 million remained of the $400 million share repurchase authorization that was authorized by the Board of Directors in April 2013.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax where applicable (in millions):
		February 28, 2015				February 28, 2014				November 30, 2014
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(105.1	)		$	170			$	32.1
	Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange contracts	3.7				(0.2		)		3
	Unamortized value of settled interest rate swaps	2.8				2.1				2.9
	Pension and other postretirement costs	(216.3		)		(165.3		)		(224.0		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(314.9	)		$	6.6			$	(186.0	)
	The following table sets forth the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and into consolidated net income for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 (in millions):
			Three months ended February 28,								Affected Line Items in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components		2015				2014
	Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate derivatives		—				—				Interest expense
	Foreign exchange contracts		$	1.1			$	(0.4	)		Cost of goods sold
	Total before tax		1.1				(0.4		)
	Tax effect		(0.3		)		0.1				Income taxes
	Net, after tax		$	0.8			$	(0.3	)
	Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit adjustments:
	Amortization of prior service costs (1)		$	0.1			$	0.1			SG&A expense/ Cost of goods sold
	Amortization of net actuarial losses (1)		5.7				4.1				SG&A expense/ Cost of goods sold
	Total before tax		5.8				4.2
	Tax effect		(2.0		)		(1.4		)		Income taxes
	Net, after tax		$	3.8			$	2.8
	(1) This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of total pension expense (refer to note 6 for additional details).

Business_Segments

Business Segments	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
BUSINESS SEGMENTS	BUSINESS SEGMENTS
	We operate in two business segments: consumer and industrial. The consumer and industrial segments manufacture, market and distribute spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products throughout the world. Our consumer segment sells to retail outlets, including grocery, mass merchandise, warehouse clubs, discount and drug stores under the “McCormick” brand and a variety of brands around the world, including “Lawry’s”, “Zatarain’s”, “Simply Asia”, “Thai Kitchen”, “Ducros”, “Vahine”, “Schwartz”, “Club House”, “Kamis”, “Kohinoor” and “DaQiao”. Our industrial segment sells to food manufacturers and the foodservice industry both directly and indirectly through distributors.
	In each of our segments, we produce and sell many individual products which are similar in composition and nature. With their primary attribute being flavor, we regard the products within each of our segments to be fairly homogenous. It is impracticable to segregate and identify sales and profits for individual product lines.
	We measure segment performance based on operating income excluding special charges as this activity is managed separately from the business segments. Although the segments are managed separately due to their distinct distribution channels and marketing strategies, manufacturing and warehousing are often integrated to maximize cost efficiencies. We do not segregate jointly utilized assets by individual segment for internal reporting, evaluating performance or allocating capital. Because of manufacturing integration for certain products within the segments, products are not sold from one segment to another but rather inventory is transferred at cost. Intersegment sales are not material.
		Consumer		Industrial			Total
				(in millions)
	Three months ended February 28, 2015
	Net sales	$	620.3	$	390.1		$	1,010.40
	Operating income excluding special charges	91.5		30.6			122.1
	Income (loss) from unconsolidated operations	10.2		(0.3		)	9.9
	Three months ended February 28, 2014
	Net sales	$	615.3	$	378.1		$	993.4
	Operating income	94.3		30.3			124.6
	Income from unconsolidated operations	5		0.1			5.1
	A reconciliation of operating income excluding special charges (which we use to measure segment profitability) to operating income is as follows:
	(millions)	Three months ended February 28, 2015
	Operating income	$	93.7
	Add: Special charges	28.4
	Operating income excluding special charges	$	122.1

Subsequent_Events_Notes

Subsequent Events (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On March 9, 2015, we acquired 100% of the shares of Brand Aromatics, a privately held company located in New Jersey. Brand Aromatics is a supplier of natural savory flavors, marinades, and broth and stock concentrates to the packaged food industry. Its addition will expand the breadth of value-added products in our industrial business. Annual sales were $28 million in 2014. The purchase price for Brand Aromatics is approximately $63 million, subject to certain closing adjustments, and it will be included in our industrial business segment. Due to the estimated impact of transaction, integration and financing costs, we do not expect this acquisition to be accretive to earnings per share in 2015.
	On March 25, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program to purchase up to $600 million of the company's outstanding shares.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all the information and notes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for complete financial statements. In our opinion, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented.
	The results of consolidated operations for the three month period ended February 28, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Historically, our net sales, net income and cash flow from operations are lower in the first half of the fiscal year and increase in the second half. The typical increase in net sales, net income and cash flow from operations in the second half of the year is largely due to the consumer business cycle in the U.S., where customers typically purchase more products in the fourth quarter due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.
	For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2014.
Accounting and disclosure charges	Accounting and Disclosure Changes
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This guidance is intended to improve and converge with international standards the financial reporting requirements for revenue from contracts with customers. It will be effective for our first quarter of 2018 and early adoption is not permitted. We have not yet determined the impact from adoption of this new accounting pronouncement on our financial statements.

Special_Charges_Tables

Special Charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Special Charges [Abstract]
Special charges rollforward [Table Text Block]	The following table outlines the major components of accrual balances and activity relating to the special charges associated with the EMEA reorganization plan undertaken in 2013 and 2014 for the three months ended February 28, 2015 (in millions):
		Employee severance and related benefits			Other related costs			Total
	Balance as of November 30, 2014	$	9.3		$	0.7		$	10
	Amounts utilized	(1.9		)	(0.4		)	(2.3		)
	Balance as of February 28, 2015	$	7.4		$	0.3		$	7.7
	The following table outlines the major components of accrual balances and activity relating to the special charges associated with our North American effectiveness initiative for the three months ended February 28, 2015 (in millions):
		Employee severance and related benefits			Other related costs			Total
	Special charges	$	23.9		$	0.6		$	24.5
	Amounts utilized	(0.4		)	—			(0.4		)
	Balance as of February 28, 2015	$	23.5		$	0.6		$	24.1
	The following table outlines the major components of accrual balances and activity relating to the special charges associated with the EMEA reorganization plan undertaken for the three months ended February 28, 2015 (in millions):
		Employee severance and related benefits			Other related costs			Total
	Special charges	$	3.5		$	0.4		$	3.9
	Amounts utilized	(0.5		)	—			(0.5		)
	Balance as of February 28, 2015	$	3		$	0.4		$	3.4

Financial_instruments_Tables

Financial instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Fair values of derivative instruments on balance sheet	The following table discloses the fair values of derivative instruments on our balance sheet (in millions):
	As of February 28, 2015	Asset Derivatives										Liability Derivatives
		Balance Sheet		Notional				Fair				Balance Sheet		Notional			Fair
		Location		Amount				Value				Location		Amount			Value
	Interest rate contracts	Other current		$	100			$	4.9
		assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current		92.3				8.4				Other accrued		$	178.4		$	3.4
		assets										liabilities
	Total							$	13.3								$	3.4
	As of February 28, 2014	Asset Derivatives										Liability Derivatives
		Balance Sheet		Notional				Fair				Balance Sheet		Notional			Fair
		Location		Amount				Value				Location		Amount			Value
	Interest rate contracts	Other current		$	100			$	9.7
		assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current		138.7				2.4				Other accrued		$	64.9		$	1.9
		assets										liabilities
	Total							$	12.1								$	1.9
	As of November 30, 2014	Asset Derivatives										Liability Derivatives
		Balance Sheet		Notional				Fair				Balance Sheet		Notional			Fair
		Location		Amount				Value				Location		Amount			Value
	Interest rate contracts	Other current		$	100			$	7.4
		assets
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other current		106.3				4.9				Other accrued		$	156.4		$	1.4
		assets										liabilities
	Total							$	12.3								$	1.4
Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Impact of fair value and cash flow hedges on other comprehensive income, accumulated other comprehensive income and income statement	The following tables disclose the impact of derivative instruments on our other comprehensive income (OCI), accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and our income statement for the three month period ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 (in millions):
	Fair Value Hedges -
	For the 3 months ended February 28,
	Derivative		Income statement		Expense
			location
					2015				2014
	Interest rate contracts		Interest  expense		$	1.2			$	1.2
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Impact of fair value and cash flow hedges on other comprehensive income, accumulated other comprehensive income and income statement
	Cash Flow Hedges –
	For the 3 months ended February 28,
	Derivative		Gain or (Loss)								Income		Gain or (Loss)
			recognized in OCI								statement		reclassified from
											location		AOCI
			2015				2014						2015			2014
	Interest rate contracts		$	—			$	—			Interest		$	—		$	—
											expense
	Foreign exchange contracts		3				—				Cost of goods sold		1.1			(0.4		)
	Total		$	3			$	—					$	1.1		$	(0.4	)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on recurring basis	Our population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis are as follows (in millions):
				February 28, 2015
		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	81.8	$	81.8	$	—	$	—
	Insurance contracts	106.8		—		106.8		—
	Bonds and other long-term investments	7.8		7.8		—		—
	Interest rate derivatives	4.9		—		4.9		—
	Foreign currency derivatives	8.4		—		8.4		—
	Total	$	209.7	$	89.6	$	120.1	$	—
	Liabilities
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	3.4	$	—	$	3.4	$	—
				February 28, 2014
		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	89.4	$	89.4	$	—	$	—
	Insurance contracts	92.3		—		92.3		—
	Bonds and other long-term investments	15.2		15.2		—		—
	Interest rate derivatives	9.7		—		9.7		—
	Foreign currency derivatives	2.4		—		2.4		—
	Total	$	209	$	104.6	$	104.4	$	—
	Liabilities
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	1.9	$	—	$	1.9	$	—
				November 30, 2014
		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	77.3	$	77.3	$	—	$	—
	Insurance contracts	104.5		—		104.5		—
	Bonds and other long-term investments	8.5		8.5		—		—
	Interest rate derivatives	7.4		—		7.4		—
	Foreign currency derivatives	4.9		—		4.9		—
	Total	$	202.6	$	85.8	$	116.8	$	—
	Liabilities
	Foreign currency derivatives	$	1.4	$	—	$	1.4	$	—

Employee_Benefit_and_Retiremen1

Employee Benefit and Retirement Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of defined benefit plans disclosures	The following table presents the components of our pension expense of the defined benefit plans for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 (in millions):
		United States						International
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Defined benefit plans
	Service cost	$	5.9		$	5		$	2.1		$	2
	Interest costs	7.9			7.8			3.1			3.4
	Expected return on plan assets	(10.0		)	(9.7		)	(4.4		)	(4.7		)
	Amortization of prior service costs	—			—			0.1			0.1
	Recognized net actuarial loss	4.2			2.9			1.5			1.2
	Total pension expense	$	8		$	6		$	2.4		$	2
Schedule of costs of retirement plans	The following table presents the components of our other postretirement benefits expense (in millions):
			Three months ended February 28,
			2015			2014
	Other postretirement benefits
	Service cost		$	0.8		$	1
	Interest costs		0.9			1
	Total other postretirement expense		$	1.7		$	2

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]
Stock Based Compensation in Selling, General and Administrative Expense	The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense recorded in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense (in millions):
		Three months ended February 28,
		2015			2014
	Stock-based compensation expense	$	3.7		$	2.6
Summary of Option Activity	The following is a summary of our stock option activity for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014:
		2015					2014
	(shares in millions)	Number		Weighted-			Number		Weighted-
		of		Average			of		Average
		Shares		Exercise			Shares		Exercise
				Price					Price
	Outstanding at beginning of period	4.8		$	54.17		4.6		$	47.73
	Exercised	(0.3	)	39.9			(0.3	)	32.19
	Outstanding at end of the period	4.5		54.89			4.3		48.87
	Exercisable at end of the period	2.7		$	47.1		2.4		$	40.98
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of our RSU activity for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014:
		2015					2014
	(shares in thousands)	Number		Weighted-			Number		Weighted-
		of		Average			of		Average
		Shares		Grant-Date			Shares		Grant-Date
				Fair Value					Fair Value
	Outstanding at beginning of period	239		$	67.6		161		$	60.86
	Vested	—		—			(2	)	38.28
	Forfeited	(3	)	71.19			(1	)	65.23
	Outstanding at end of period	236		$	67.55		158		$	61.1
Schedule of Share Based Compensation, Performance Shares, Activity [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of our LTPP activity for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014:
		2015					2014
	(shares in thousands)	Number		Weighted-			Number		Weighted-
		of		Average			of		Average
		Shares		Grant-Date			Shares		Grant-Date
				Fair Value					Fair Value
	Outstanding at beginning of period	231		$	61.94		334		$	51.73
	Granted	96		74.02			105		69.04
	Vested	(65	)	48.78			(118	)	44.47
	Forfeited	—		—			(2	)	44.47
	Outstanding at end of period	262		$	69.64		319		$	60.15

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_I1

Earnings Per Share and Stock Issuances (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Reconciliation of average shares outstanding	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of average shares outstanding (in millions):
		Three months ended February 28,
		2015	2014
	Average shares outstanding – basic	128.2	131.1
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options/RSUs/LTPP	1.1	1.1
	Average shares outstanding – diluted	129.3	132.2
Anti-dilutive securities not considered in earnings per share calculation	The following table sets forth the stock options and RSUs for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 which were not considered in our earnings per share calculation since they were anti-dilutive (in millions):
		Three months ended February 28,
		2015	2014
	Anti-dilutive securities	0.4	0.9
Common stock activity	The following table sets forth the common stock activity for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 under the Company’s stock option and employee stock purchase plans and the repurchases of common stock under its stock repurchase program (in millions):
		Three months ended February 28,
		2015	2014
	Shares issued under stock option, employee stock purchase plans and RSUs	0.3	0.3
	Shares repurchased in connection with the stock repurchase program	0.9	0.9

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax where applicable (in millions):
		February 28, 2015				February 28, 2014				November 30, 2014
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(105.1	)		$	170			$	32.1
	Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange contracts	3.7				(0.2		)		3
	Unamortized value of settled interest rate swaps	2.8				2.1				2.9
	Pension and other postretirement costs	(216.3		)		(165.3		)		(224.0		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(314.9	)		$	6.6			$	(186.0	)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	The following table sets forth the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and into consolidated net income for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 (in millions):
			Three months ended February 28,								Affected Line Items in the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components		2015				2014
	Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate derivatives		—				—				Interest expense
	Foreign exchange contracts		$	1.1			$	(0.4	)		Cost of goods sold
	Total before tax		1.1				(0.4		)
	Tax effect		(0.3		)		0.1				Income taxes
	Net, after tax		$	0.8			$	(0.3	)
	Amortization of pension and postretirement benefit adjustments:
	Amortization of prior service costs (1)		$	0.1			$	0.1			SG&A expense/ Cost of goods sold
	Amortization of net actuarial losses (1)		5.7				4.1				SG&A expense/ Cost of goods sold
	Total before tax		5.8				4.2
	Tax effect		(2.0		)		(1.4		)		Income taxes
	Net, after tax		$	3.8			$	2.8
	(1) This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of total pension expense (refer to note 6 for additional details).

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	A reconciliation of operating income excluding special charges (which we use to measure segment profitability) to operating income is as follows:
	(millions)	Three months ended February 28, 2015
	Operating income	$	93.7
	Add: Special charges	28.4
	Operating income excluding special charges	$	122.1
Business segments
		Consumer		Industrial			Total
				(in millions)
	Three months ended February 28, 2015
	Net sales	$	620.3	$	390.1		$	1,010.40
	Operating income excluding special charges	91.5		30.6			122.1
	Income (loss) from unconsolidated operations	10.2		(0.3		)	9.9
	Three months ended February 28, 2014
	Net sales	$	615.3	$	378.1		$	993.4
	Operating income	94.3		30.3			124.6
	Income from unconsolidated operations	5		0.1			5.1

Acquisition_Additional_Informa

Acquisition - Additional Information (Detail)	Feb. 28, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	D&A [Member]	D&A [Member]
				EUR (€)	EUR (€)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred				€ 50
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue					50
Business acquisition valuation of assets allocated to goodwill	1,651.20	1,722.20	1,809.10
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability				€ 35	€ 35

Special_Charges_Details

Special Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	24 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special Charges	$28.40
Special charges liability	7.7	10
Special charges utilized	-2.3
Employee Severance Charges [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special charges liability	7.4	9.3
Special charges utilized	-1.9
Other exit costs [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special charges liability	0.3	0.7
Special charges utilized	-0.4
Consumer [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special Charges	19.2
Industrial [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special Charges	9.2
North America [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special Charges	24.5
Expected cost savings special charges	10
Special charges liability	24.1
Special charges utilized	0.4
North America [Member] | Total plan expenses [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special Charges	26
North America [Member] | Employee Severance Charges [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special Charges	23.9
Special charges liability	23.5
Special charges utilized	0.4
North America [Member] | Other exit costs [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special Charges	0.6
Special charges liability	0.6
Special charges utilized	0
North America [Member] | Annual Cost Savings [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Expected cost savings special charges	25
EMEA [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special Charges	3.9	27.1
Special charges liability	3.4
Special charges utilized	-0.5
EMEA [Member] | Employee Severance Charges [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special Charges	3.5
Special charges liability	3
Special charges utilized	-0.5
EMEA [Member] | Other exit costs [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Special Charges	0.4
Special charges liability	0.4
Special charges utilized	0
EMEA [Member] | Annual Cost Savings [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Expected cost savings special charges	10
EMEA [Member] | 2016 Annual Cost Savings [Member]
Special Charges [Line Items]
Expected cost savings special charges	$3

Financial_InstrumentsAdditiona

Financial Instruments-Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Maximum time frame for foreign exchange contracts, months	21 months
Amount of accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be reclassified to earnings in next 12 months	$5.70

Financial_Instruments_Fair_Val

Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total derivative assets, Fair Value	$13.30	$12.30	$12.10
Total derivative liabilities, Fair Value	3.4	1.4	1.9
Interest rate contract [Member] | Other current assets [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Interest rate contracts, Fair Value	4.9	7.4	9.7
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	100	100	100
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Other current assets [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	92.3	106.3	138.7
Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	8.4	4.9	2.4
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Other accrued liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	3.4	1.4	1.9
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount	$178.40	$156.40	$64.90

Financial_Instruments_Impact_o

Financial Instruments- Impact of Fair Value Hedges on Other Comprehensive Income, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Income Statement (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest expense	$12.90	$12.40
Interest Expense [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest rate contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest expense	$1.20	$1.20

Financial_InstrumentsImpact_of

Financial Instruments-Impact of Cash Flow Hedges on Other Comprehensive Income, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Income Statement (Details) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) recognized in OCI	$3	$0
Gain or (Loss) reclassified from AOCI	1.1	-0.4
Interest rate contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) recognized in OCI	0	0
Interest rate contract [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) reclassified from AOCI	0	0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) recognized in OCI	3	0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) reclassified from AOCI	$1.10	($0.40)

Fair_Value_MeasurementsAssets_

Fair Value Measurements-Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Feb. 28, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$81.80	$77.30	$89.40
Insurance contracts	106.8	104.5	92.3
Bonds & other long-term investments	7.8	8.5	15.2
Interest rate derivatives	4.9	7.4	9.7
Foreign currency derivatives	8.4	4.9	2.4
Total assets	209.7	202.6	209
Liabilities [Abstract]
Foreign currency derivatives	3.4	1.4	1.9
Level 1 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	81.8	77.3	89.4
Insurance contracts	0	0	0
Bonds & other long-term investments	7.8	8.5	15.2
Interest rate derivatives	0	0	0
Foreign currency derivatives	0	0	0
Total assets	89.6	85.8	104.6
Liabilities [Abstract]
Foreign currency derivatives	0	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Insurance contracts	106.8	104.5	92.3
Bonds & other long-term investments	0	0	0
Interest rate derivatives	4.9	7.4	9.7
Foreign currency derivatives	8.4	4.9	2.4
Total assets	120.1	116.8	104.4
Liabilities [Abstract]
Foreign currency derivatives	3.4	1.4	1.9
Level 3 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Insurance contracts	0	0	0
Bonds & other long-term investments	0	0	0
Interest rate derivatives	0	0	0
Foreign currency derivatives	0	0	0
Total assets	0	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Foreign currency derivatives	$0	$0	$0

Recovered_Sheet1

Employee Benefit And Retirement Plans-Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension Contributions	$7.30	$8.90	$16.80

Recovered_Sheet2

Employee Benefit And Retirement Plans - Components of Pension Expense of Defined benefit plans (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$5.90	$5
Interest costs	7.9	7.8
Expected return on plan assets	-10	-9.7
Amortization of prior service costs	0	0
Recognized net actuarial loss	4.2	2.9
Total pension expense	8	6
International [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	2.1	2
Interest costs	3.1	3.4
Expected return on plan assets	-4.4	-4.7
Amortization of prior service costs	0.1	0.1
Recognized net actuarial loss	1.5	1.2
Total pension expense	$2.40	$2

Employee_Benefit_and_Retiremen2

Employee Benefit and Retirement Plans-Components of Other Postretirement Benefit Expenses (Details) (Other postretirement benefits [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Other postretirement benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	$0.80	$1
Interest costs	0.9	1
Total other postretirement expense	$1.70	$2

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
	award_type
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Stock-based Compensation Award Types	3
Intrinsic value for all options outstanding	$92.50
Intrinsic value for exercisable options	76.2
Total Intrinsic Value of all options exercised	$8.50	$11.70

StockBased_CompensationSelling

Stock-Based Compensation-Selling, General and Administrative Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$3.70	$2.60

StockBased_CompensationRange_o

Stock-Based Compensation-Range of Assumptions for Various Stock Compensation Plans (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate, minimum	0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility, minimum	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility, maximum	0.00%	0.00%

StockBased_CompensationSummary

Stock-Based Compensation-Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at end of period, Number of Shares	4.5	4.3
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period, Number of Shares	4.8	4.6
Exercised, Number of Shares	0.3	0.3
Excercisable at end of the period, Number of Shares	2.7	2.4
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$54.17	$47.73
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$39.90	$32.19
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$54.89	$48.87
Exercisable at end of the period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$47.10	$40.98

StockBased_CompensationSummary1

Stock-Based Compensation-Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period, Number of Shares	239	161
Vested, Number of Shares	0	2
Forfeited, Number of Shares	3	1
Outstanding at end of period, Number of Shares	236	158
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$67.60	$60.86
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$0	$38.28
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$71.19	$65.23
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$67.55	$61.10

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of LTPP awards (Details) (Performance Shares [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period, Number of Shares	231	334
Granted, Number of Shares	96	105
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	-65	-118
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	0	-2
Outstanding at end of period, Number of Shares	262	319
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$61.94	$51.73
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$74.02	$69.04
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$48.78	$44.47
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0	$44.47
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$69.64	$60.15

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	$7
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Decrease resulting from prior period tax positions		5.8
Change related to prior year adjustments		2.2
Change in enacted tax rate	1.8	3.7
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount		0.6
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Amount	$3.80

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_I2

Earnings Per Share and Stock Issuances-Reconciliation of Average Shares Outstanding (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Average shares outstanding - basic (shares)	128.2	131.1
Effect of dilutive securities: [Abstract]
Stock options/Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)/MTIP	1.1	1.1
Average shares outstanding-diluted	129.3	132.2

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_I3

Earnings Per Share and Stock Issuances-Antidilutive Securities not Considered in Earnings Per Share Calculation (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive securities	0.4	0.9

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_I4

Earnings Per Share and Stock Issuances-Common Stock Activity (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Line Items]
Shares issued under stock option, employee stock purchase plans and RSUs	0.3	0.3
Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	0.9	0.9

Earnings_Per_Share_and_Stock_I5

Earnings Per Share and Stock Issuances-Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	$51
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$400

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income-Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015		Feb. 28, 2014		Nov. 30, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, before Tax	$1.10		($0.40)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Tax	-0.3		0.1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	0.8		-0.3
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax	0.1	[1]	0.1	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax	5.7	[1]	4.1	[1]
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, before Tax	5.8		4.2
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net (Gain) Loss, Tax	-2		-1.4
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net (Gain) Loss, Net of Tax	3.8		2.8
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-105.1		170		32.1
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange contracts	3.7		-0.2		3
Unamoritzed value of settled interest rate swaps	2.8		2.1		2.9
Pension and other postretirement costs	-216.3		-165.3		-224
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-314.9		6.6		-186
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	1.1		-0.4
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	1.1		-0.4
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	$0		$0
[1]	This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of total pension expense (refer to note 6 for additional details).

Business_Segments_Additional_I

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

Business_Segments_Detail

Business Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Special Charges	$28.40
Net sales	1,010.40	993.4
Operating income	93.7	124.6
Income from unconsolidated operations	9.9	5.1
Operating income excluding special charges	122.1
Consumer [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Special Charges	19.2
Net sales	620.3	615.3
Operating income		94.3
Income from unconsolidated operations	10.2	5
Operating income excluding special charges	91.5
Industrial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Special Charges	9.2
Net sales	390.1	378.1
Operating income		30.3
Income from unconsolidated operations	-0.3	0.1
Operating income excluding special charges	$30.60

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Mar. 25, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$400	$400
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount			600
Brand Aromatics [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue		28
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$63