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In addition, the number of electric and hybrid vehicles developed and sold has risen in recent years, and is expected to continue to increase in the future.
−Removed: While we believe that advances in vehicle technologies provide us with opportunities to develop innovative products and solutions for the vehicle repair market, if we are not able to execute on those possibilities, our business and results of operations could suffer.
−Removed: 2022 ANNUAL REPORT 13
+Added: While we believe that advances in vehicle technologies provide us with opportunities to develop innovative products and solutions for the vehicle repair market, if we are not able to effectively execute on those possibilities, our business and results of operations could suffer.
The performance of Snap-on’s mobile tool distribution business depends on the success of its franchisees.
−Removed: Approximately 43% of our consolidated net revenues in 2022 were generated by the Snap-on Tools Group, which consists of Snap-on’s business operations primarily serving vehicle service and repair technicians through the company’s multi-national mobile tool distribution channel.
+Added: Approximately 41% of our consolidated net revenues in 2023 were generated by the Snap-on Tools Group, which consists of Snap-on’s business operations primarily serving vehicle service and repair technicians through the company’s multinational mobile tool distribution channel.
Snap-on’s success is dependent on its relationships with franchisees, individually and collectively, as they are the primary sales and service link between the company and vehicle service and repair technicians, who are an important class of end users for Snap-on’s products and services.
If our franchisees are not successful, or if we do not maintain an effective relationship with our franchisees, the delivery of products, the collection of receivables and/or our relationship with end users could be adversely affected and thereby negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
+Added: 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 13
In addition, if we are unable to maintain effective relationships with franchisees, Snap-on or the franchisees may choose to terminate the relationship, which may result in:
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In the event of an infringement claim, we may also be required to spend significant resources to develop alternatives or obtain licenses, which may not be available on reasonable terms or at all, and may reduce our sales and disrupt our production.
−Removed: Failure to obtain or maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property rights for any reason could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The global tool, equipment, diagnostics, and repair information industries are competitive.
3 unchanged sentences
Any inability to maintain customer satisfaction could diminish Snap-on’s premium image and reputation and could result in a lessening of our ability to command premium pricing.
−Removed: We expect that the level of competition will remain high in the future, which could limit our ability to maintain or increase market share or profitability.
−Removed: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
+Added: In addition, technological developments and enhancements of products and service offerings in our industry may require our expanded use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning;
+Added: if we are unable to keep pace with the rate of these and other developments, our ability to effectively compete could be adversely affected.
+Added: We expect that the level of competition will remain high in the future, which, if not effectively matched or exceeded, could limit our ability to maintain or increase market share or profitability.
Foreign operations are subject to political, economic, trade and other risks that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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Numerous risks and uncertainties affect our non-U.S.
−Removed: These include political, economic and social instability, such as acts of war, armed conflicts, civil disturbance or acts of terrorism, local labor conditions, trade relations with China, changes in government policies and regulations, including those intended to address climate change, imposition or increases in withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by international subsidiaries, as well as exposure to liabilities under anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in various countries, such as the U.S.
−Removed: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, currency volatility, transportation delays or interruptions, sovereign debt uncertainties and difficulties in enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights, reputational risks related to, among other factors, different standards and practices among countries, as well as natural disasters, weather events and outbreaks of infectious diseases.
+Added: These include political, economic and social instability, such as acts of war, armed conflicts, civil disturbance or acts of terrorism, local labor conditions, and trade relations with China.
+Added: These also include changes in government policies and regulations, including those intended to address climate change, imposition or increases in withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by international subsidiaries, increases in trade sanctions and other related measures, as well as exposure to liabilities under anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in various countries, such as the U.S.
+Added: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
+Added: Risks related to our non-U.S.
+Added: operations could further include currency volatility, transportation delays or interruptions, sovereign debt uncertainties and difficulties in enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights, as well as reputational risks related to, among other factors, different standards and practices among countries.
Should the economic environment in our non-U.S.
markets deteriorate from current levels, our results of operations and financial position could be materially impacted, including as a result of the effects of potential impairment write-downs of goodwill and/or other intangible assets related to these businesses.
−Removed: The United Kingdom (“U.K.”) has formally left the European Union (“Brexit”).
−Removed: As part of the agreement between the U.K.
−Removed: and the European Union regarding Brexit, there is a new series of customs and regulatory checks, including rules of origin and stringent local content requirements.
+Added: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
+Added: As part of the agreement related to the United Kingdom’s (“U.K.”) departure from the European Union (“Brexit”), there is a new series of customs and regulatory checks, including rules of origin and stringent local content requirements.
There are also restrictions on the free movement of people and temporary visas for work-related purposes have been re-introduced.
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however, expansion of the conflict beyond its current geographic, political and economic scope could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
−Removed: Risks related to this situation include supply chain inefficiencies, price increases and shortages of raw materials and components, exchange rate volatility, energy shortages in Europe, an increase in cybersecurity incidents, and potential impairment of certain assets.
+Added: Risks related to this situation include supply chain inefficiencies, price increases and shortages of raw materials and components, increased trade sanctions, exchange rate volatility, energy shortages in Europe, an increase in cybersecurity incidents, and potential impairment of certain assets.
Our foreign operations are also subject to other risks and challenges, such as the need to staff and manage diverse workforces, respond to the needs of multiple national and international marketplaces, and differing business climates and cultures in various countries.
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We manufacture a significant portion of the products we sell.
−Removed: Any prolonged disruption in the operations of our existing manufacturing facilities, whether due to technical or labor difficulties, facility consolidation or closure actions, lack of raw material or component availability, destruction of or damage to any facility (as a result of natural disasters, climate or weather events, use and storage of hazardous materials, armed conflicts, sabotage, terrorism, civil unrest or other events), or other reasons, including outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
−Removed: 2022 ANNUAL REPORT 15
+Added: Any prolonged disruption in the operations of our existing manufacturing facilities, whether due to technical or labor difficulties, facility consolidation or closure actions, lack of raw material or component availability, destruction of or damage to any facility (as a result of natural disasters, climate or weather events, use and storage of hazardous materials, armed conflicts, sabotage, terrorism, civil unrest or other events), or other reasons, including outbreaks of infectious diseases, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Price inflation and shortages of raw materials, components, certain purchased finished goods and energy sources have impacted, and in the future could adversely affect, the ability to obtain, as well as the cost of, needed materials or products and, in turn, our results of operations.
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The principal raw material used in the manufacture of our products is steel, which we purchase in competitive, price-sensitive markets.
−Removed: To meet Snap-on’s high quality standards, our steel needs range from specialized alloys, which are available only from a limited group of approved suppliers, to common alloys, which are available from multiple suppliers.
−Removed: Some of these materials have been, and in the future may be, in short supply, particularly in the event of mill shutdowns or production cut backs.
−Removed: In addition, outbreaks of infectious diseases, weather events, armed conflicts or other circumstances beyond our control could also impact the availability of raw materials and components.
+Added: To meet Snap-on’s high quality standards, a portion of our steel needs include specialized alloys, which are available only from a limited group of approved suppliers.
+Added: Additionally, certain electronic components are sourced from a finite set of suppliers.
+Added: Some of these specialized materials and components have been, and in the future may be, in short supply, particularly in the event of mill shutdowns or production cut backs.
+Added: In addition, outbreaks of infectious diseases, weather events, armed conflicts, government actions (including those affecting trade) or other circumstances beyond our control could also impact the availability of raw materials and components.
Physical risks of climate change may also impact the availability and cost of materials, sources and supply of energy and could also increase operating costs.
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Petroleum and energy prices have periodically increased significantly over short periods of time;
−Removed: future volatility and changes may be caused by market fluctuations, supply and demand, currency fluctuations, production and transportation disruptions, climate change regulations, world events, including armed conflicts, and changes in governmental programs.
+Added: future volatility and changes may be caused by market fluctuations, supply and demand, currency fluctuations, production and transportation disruptions, climate change regulations, world events, including armed conflicts, and governmental actions.
Energy price increases raise both our operating costs and the costs of our materials, and we may not be able to increase our prices enough to offset these costs in certain areas.
Higher prices also may reduce the level of future customer orders and our profitability.
+Added: 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 15
Failure to maintain effective distribution of products and services could adversely impact revenue, gross margin and profitability.
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Data security and information technology infrastructure and security are critical to supporting business objectives;
−Removed: failure of our systems to operate effectively could adversely affect our business and reputation.
+Added: failure of our systems, as well as those of third parties with which we do business, to operate effectively could adversely affect our business and reputation.
We depend heavily on information technology infrastructure to achieve our business objectives and to protect sensitive data, and we continually invest in improving such systems.
In the ordinary course of business, we collect and store sensitive data and information, including personally identifiable information about our employees and the company’s proprietary and regulated business information, as well as that of our customers, suppliers and business partners.
−Removed: Our information systems, like those of other companies, are susceptible to malicious damage, intrusions and outages due to, among other events, viruses, cyber attacks, industrial espionage, phishing attempts, hacking, break-ins and similar events, as well as other breaches of security, natural disasters, power loss or telecommunications failures.
−Removed: Techniques used to breach information technology systems are growing in sophistication and increasingly come from threat actors of all types, including individuals, criminal organizations and state-sponsored operatives.
−Removed: In early March 2022, as previously disclosed, Snap-on detected unusual activity in some areas of its information technology environment, quickly took down its network connections as part of the company’s defense protocols, launched a comprehensive analysis assisted by a leading external forensics firm, and notified law enforcement.
−Removed: The company continued to pursue its commercial activities and restored connections as system interfaces were cleared.
−Removed: The information technology incident did not significantly affect the company’s financial results.
−Removed: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
+Added: Our information systems, like those of other companies and our third party service providers, are susceptible to malicious damage, intrusions and outages due to, among other events, viruses, cyber attacks, industrial espionage, phishing attempts, hacking, break-ins and similar events, as well as other breaches of security, natural disasters, power loss or telecommunications failures.
+Added: Techniques used to breach information technology systems are growing in sophistication from emerging technologies, such as advanced forms of AI, and increasingly come from threat actors of all types, including individuals, criminal organizations and state-sponsored operatives.
In response to the evolving cyber threat environment, we continue to invest in data security and address these risks and uncertainties by implementing security technologies, internal controls, network and data center resiliency, and redundancy and recovery processes, as well as by securing insurance.
−Removed: Future problems that impair or compromise the company’s information technology infrastructure, including those due to natural disasters, power outages, major network failures, security breaches or malicious attacks, or those occurring during system upgrades and/or new system implementations could impede our operations.
+Added: Future problems that impair or compromise the company’s information technology infrastructure, or that of our third party service providers, including those due to natural disasters, power outages, major network failures, security breaches or malicious attacks, or those occurring during system upgrades and/or new system implementations could impede our operations.
Such impacts could interfere with our ability to record or process orders, manufacture and ship in a timely manner, manage our financial services operations including originating, processing, accounting for and collecting receivables, protect sensitive data of the company, our customers, our suppliers and business partners, or otherwise carry on business in the normal course.
−Removed: The March 2022 incident did not have a significant impact on the results of our operations;
−Removed: however, future cyber events could cause us to lose customers and/or revenue and could require us to incur significant expense to remediate, including as a result of legal or regulatory claims, proceedings, fines or penalties, and could also damage our reputation.
−Removed: In association with initiatives to better integrate business units, rationalize our operating footprint and improve responsiveness to franchisees and customers, Snap-on is continually enhancing its global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) management information systems.
−Removed: As we integrate, implement and deploy new information technology processes and enhance our information infrastructure across our global operations, we could experience disruptions in our business that could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
+Added: In the first quarter of 2022, as previously disclosed, Snap-on detected unusual activity in some areas of its information technology environment, quickly took down its network connections as part of the company’s defense protocols, launched a comprehensive analysis assisted by a leading external forensics firm, and notified law enforcement.
+Added: The company continued to pursue its commercial activities and restored connections as system interfaces were cleared.
+Added: This incident did not have a significant impact on the results of our operations, and we are not currently aware of a security breach at any third-party service provider that we believe could significantly affect our operations.
+Added: Future cyber events, however, could cause us to lose customers and/or revenue and could require us to incur significant expense to remediate, including as a result of legal or regulatory claims, proceedings, fines or penalties, and could also damage our reputation.
+Added: In association with initiatives to better integrate business units, optimize our operating footprint and improve responsiveness to franchisees and customers, Snap-on is continually enhancing its global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) management information systems.
+Added: As we integrate, implement and deploy new information technology processes and enhance our information infrastructure across our global operations, we could experience disruptions that could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Failure to attract, retain and effectively manage qualified personnel could lead to a loss of revenue and/or profitability.
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The failure to attract and retain members of our senior management team and other key employees, to effectively develop personnel and to execute succession plans could have a negative effect on our operating results.
−Removed: In addition, transitions of important responsibilities to new individuals inherently include the possibility of disruptions to our business and operations, which could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
+Added: In addition, transitions of important responsibilities to new individuals inherently include the possibility of disruptions to our operations, which could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
+Added: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
We may not successfully integrate businesses we acquire, which could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
15 unchanged sentences
If we were to incur a substantial charge or are unable to effectively manage our cost reduction and restructuring efforts, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected in certain periods.
−Removed: 2022 ANNUAL REPORT 17
Financial Risks
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Adverse fluctuations in interest rates and/or our ability to provide competitive financing programs could also have an adverse impact on our revenue and profitability.
−Removed: Exposure to credit risks of customers and resellers may make it difficult to collect receivables, and our allowances for credit losses for receivables may prove inadequate, which could adversely affect operating results and financial condition.
−Removed: A decline in industry and/or economic conditions could have the potential to weaken the financial position of some of our customers, including financial services customers.
+Added: Exposure to credit risks of customers and resellers may make it difficult to collect receivables, and our allowances for credit losses for receivables may prove inadequate, which could adversely affec t our operating results and financial condition.
+Added: A decline in industry and/or economic conditions has the potential to weaken the financial position of some of our customers, including financial services customers.
If circumstances surrounding our customers’ ability to repay their credit obligations were to deteriorate and result in the write-down or write-off of such receivables, it would negatively affect our operating results for the relevant period and, if large, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
3 unchanged sentences
The company’s allowances may not be adequate to cover actual losses, and future provisions for credit losses could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
+Added: 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 17
Foreign operations are subject to currency exchange, inflation, interest and other risks that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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dollar or other transactional currencies have had and, in the future, could have a significant impact on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: We are also affected by changes in inflation and interest rates in non-U.S.
−Removed: jurisdictions.
Cash generated in certain non-U.S.
−Removed: jurisdictions may be difficult to repatriate to the United States in a tax-efficient manner.
+Added: jurisdictions has been, and in the future may be, difficult to repatriate to the United States in a tax-efficient manner as a result of, among other factors, restrictions on the movement of funds out of certain countries put in place by foreign governments.
+Added: Further, economic conditions in the markets in which we operate can vary, including due to changes in currency exchange rates, local inflation, interest rates and other factors, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Adverse developments in the credit and financial markets could negatively impact the availability of credit that we and our customers need to operate our businesses.
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Inability to access credit or capital markets, or a deterioration in the terms on which financing might be available, could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
−Removed: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
Increasing our financial leverage could affect our operations and profitability.
−Removed: The maximum available credit under our multi-currency revolving credit facility is $800 million.
−Removed: The company’s leverage ratio may affect both our availability of additional capital resources as well as our operations in several ways, including:
+Added: Our $900 million multicurrency revolving credit facility contains an accordion feature that, subject to certain customary conditions, may allow the maximum commitment to be increased by up to $450 million with the approval of the lenders providing additional commitments.
+Added: While there are no current borrowings under the credit facility, future borrowings and the resulting increase in the company’s leverage ratio may affect both our availability of additional capital resources as well as our operations in several ways, including:
• The terms on which credit may be available to us could be less attractive, both in the economic terms of the credit and the covenants stipulated by the credit terms;
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• The possible diversion of capital resources from other uses.
−Removed: While we believe we will have the ability to service our debt and obtain additional resources in the future if and when needed, that will depend upon our results of operations and financial position at the time, the then-current state of the credit and financial markets, and other factors that may be beyond our control.
+Added: While we believe we will have the ability to service our debt and obtain additional financial resources in the future if and when needed, that will depend upon our results of operations and financial position at the time, the then-current state of the credit and financial markets, and other factors that may be beyond our control.
Therefore, we cannot give assurances that credit will be available on terms that we consider attractive, or at all, if and when necessary or beneficial to us.
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Changes in plan demographics, including an increase in the number of retirements or changes in life expectancy assumptions, may also increase the costs and funding requirements of the obligations related to the company’s pension plans.
+Added: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
Our pension plan obligations are affected by changes in market interest rates.
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Certain factors, such as the interest on projected benefit obligations and the expected return on plan assets, are impacted by changes in market interest rates and the value of plan assets.
−Removed: A significant decrease in market interest rates and a decrease in the fair value of plan assets would increase net pension expense and may adversely affect the company’s future results of operations.
−Removed: See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the company’s pension plans.
−Removed: The recognition of impairment charges on goodwill or other intangible assets would adversely impact our future financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: A significant decrease in market interest rates and a decrease in the fair value of plan assets would increase net pension expense and may adversely affect the company’s future financial results.
+Added: See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the company’s pension plans.
+Added: The recognition of impairment charges on goodwill or other intangible assets could adversely impact our future financial condition and results of operations.
We have a substantial amount of goodwill and purchased intangible assets, almost all of which are booked in the Commercial & Industrial Group and in the Repair Systems & Information Group.
−Removed: We are required to perform impairment tests on our goodwill and other intangibles annually or at any time when events occur that could impact the value of our business segments.
+Added: We are required to perform impairment tests on our goodwill and other intangible assets annually or at any time when events occur that could impact the value of our business segments.
Our determination of whether impairment has occurred is based on a comparison of each of our reporting units’ fair market value with its carrying value.
−Removed: 2022 ANNUAL REPORT 19
Significant and unanticipated changes in circumstances, such as declines in profitability and cash flow due to long-term deterioration in macroeconomic, industry and market conditions, the loss of key customers, changes in technology or markets, changes in key personnel or litigation, a sustained decrease in share price and/or other events, could require a provision for impairment in a future period that could substantially impact our reported earnings and reduce our consolidated net worth and shareholders’ equity.
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In addition to potentially increasing the costs and other requirements of doing business due to compliance obligations, new laws and regulations, or changes to existing laws and regulations, as well as the enforcement thereof, may affect the relationships between creditors and debtors, inhibit the rights of creditors to collect amounts owed to them, expand liability for certain actions or inaction, or limit the types of financial products or services offered, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
−Removed: Failure to comply with any of these laws or regulations could also result in civil, criminal, monetary and/or non-monetary penalties, damage to our reputation, and/or the incurrence of remediation costs.
−Removed: In recent years there has been increased public awareness, concern and focus on environmental and sustainability issues, including matters related to global climate change.
−Removed: The current focus on these matters is expected to result in additional and/or more restrictive regulations, requirements and/or industry or third-party standards to reduce or mitigate global warming and other environmental or sustainability risks, though the timing is uncertain.
+Added: Failure to comply with any of these laws or regulations could also result in civil, criminal, monetary and/or non-monetary penalties, damage to our reputation, and/or require significant remediation costs.
+Added: 2023 ANNUAL REPORT 19
+Added: In recent years there has been increased public awareness, concern and focus on environmental and sustainability issues, including matters related to climate change, and we expect these trends to continue.
+Added: The current focus on these matters is expected to result in additional and/or more restrictive regulations, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in the European Union and the proposed SEC regulations relating to climate change disclosures, and industry or third-party requirements and standards to reduce or mitigate climate change as well as other environmental or sustainability risks.
+Added: The timing of certain of these regulations has yet to be determined.
Increased regulatory requirements or standards may result in increased compliance or input costs, including those related to energy or raw materials, for us and our suppliers.
2 unchanged sentences
Furthermore, an inability to successfully manage climate change or sustainability matters, or to effectively respond to new, or changes in, legal or regulatory requirements concerning sustainability matters, or increased operating or manufacturing costs due to changes in the regulatory environment, could adversely affect our business.
−Removed: These developments, and other potential future legislation and regulations, including the increasing global regulation of privacy rights, may also adversely affect the customers to which, and the markets into which, we sell our products, and increase our costs and otherwise negatively affect our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition, including in ways that cannot yet be foreseen.
−Removed: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
+Added: These developments, and other potential future legislation and regulations, including the increasing global regulation of privacy rights and use of AI, may also adversely affect the customers to which, and the markets into which, we sell our products, and increase our costs and otherwise negatively affect our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition, including in ways that cannot yet be foreseen.
Product liability claims and litigation could affect our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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We cannot provide assurance that our costs of complying with current or future environmental protection and health and safety laws will not exceed our estimates.
+Added: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
The inability to successfully defend claims from taxing authorities and changes in tax laws and rules could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We conduct business in many countries, which requires us to interpret the income tax laws and rulings in each of those taxing jurisdictions.
+Added: New tax laws, within the U.S.
+Added: and the other jurisdictions in which we operate, such as Pillar Two of the Global Anti-Base Erosion Rules released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which, once adopted in various jurisdictions, will require a global minimum tax for multinational countries, could impact our operations.
Due to the subjectivity of tax laws in and between jurisdictions, as well as the subjectivity of factual interpretations, our estimates of income tax liabilities may differ from actual payments or assessments.
Claims from taxing authorities related to these differences could have an adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
−Removed: Risk related to COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases
−Removed: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose risks to our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and other epidemics or outbreaks of infectious diseases may have a similar impact.
−Removed: We face risks related to outbreaks of infectious diseases, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
−Removed: In response to COVID-19 and its variants, national and local governments around the world have instituted certain protective measures at various times.
−Removed: While such restrictions have generally eased in many countries where we have operations, existing measures may be extended in certain regions and additional measures may be imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic or future outbreaks of infectious diseases.
−Removed: The effects of COVID-19 or other similar outbreaks on the company could include reduced consumer and investor confidence, instability in the credit and financial markets, volatile corporate profits, supply chain inefficiencies, and reduced business and consumer spending, which could adversely affect our results of operations by reducing our sales, margins and/or net income as a result of rising costs, a slowdown in customer orders or order cancellations.
−Removed: To the extent the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, or a future outbreak of an infectious disease, adversely affects our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, it may also heighten many of the other risks described in this section.
−Removed: 2022 ANNUAL REPORT 21
General Risk Factor
2 unchanged sentences
These conditions may result in reduced consumer and investor confidence, instability in the credit and financial markets, volatile corporate profits, and reduced business and consumer spending.
−Removed: We, our franchisees and our customers, and the economy as a whole, also may be affected by future world or local events outside our control, such as tariffs and other trade protection measures put in place by the United States or other countries, acts of terrorism, developments in the war on terrorism, armed conflicts (including the current war in Ukraine), civil unrest, conflicts in international situations, weather events and natural disasters, outbreaks of infectious diseases such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as government-related developments or issues, including changes in tax laws and regulations, new or enhanced regulations related to climate change and other sustainability matters, and changes in financial accounting standards.
+Added: We, our franchisees and our customers, and the economy as a whole, also may be affected by future world or local events outside our control, such as tariffs and other trade protection measures put in place by the United States or other countries, acts of terrorism, developments in the war on terrorism, armed conflicts (including the current war in Ukraine, an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, and other regional conflicts), civil unrest, conflicts in international situations, weather events and natural disasters, outbreaks of infectious diseases, as well as government-related developments or issues, including changes in tax laws and regulations, new or enhanced regulations related to climate change and other sustainability matters, and changes in financial accounting standards.
These factors may affect the results of operations by reducing our sales, margins and/or net earnings as a result of a slowdown in customer orders or order cancellations, impact the availability and/or pricing of raw materials and/or the supply chain, and could potentially lead to future impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets.
2 unchanged sentences
If such conditions persist, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively affected.
−Removed: Unresolved Staff Comments
Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.