McKesson Corp. (NYSE:MCK)

The financial data reveals variations in net income and comprehensive income components over the six-year period ending March 31, 2016.

Net Income

Net income displayed a generally upward trajectory, starting at 1,202 million US dollars in 2011 and increasing to 2,310 million US dollars in 2016. The progression was not strictly linear, with minor declines in 2013 and 2014, but a significant increase was observed in 2015 and a substantial jump in 2016, implying improved profitability toward the end of the period.

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

This component fluctuated considerably over time. Positive adjustments occurred in 2011 and 2014, whereas negative adjustments were notable in 2012, 2013, and especially in 2015 where it dropped sharply to -1,855 million US dollars. In 2016, the adjustment turned positive again to 113 million US dollars. This volatility suggests exposure to foreign exchange risks and material impacts from currency fluctuations, particularly in 2015.

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges

Values showed slight negative amounts in 2012, 2014, and 2015, ranging from -5 to -10 million US dollars, with a positive gain of 9 million US dollars in 2016. The overall impact appears limited but indicates occasional exposure to interest rate or commodity price movements that affected cash flow hedging instruments during these years.

Retirement-related Benefit Plans

Retirement-related items presented fluctuations, with slight positive income in 2011 and 2014, negative impacts in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and again positive in 2016. The 2015 figure of -124 million US dollars represents a considerable expense, suggesting changes or adjustments in pension obligations or related actuarial assumptions during that year.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

This aggregate metric largely mirrors the trend in foreign currency translation adjustments given their magnitude. It remained positive in 2011 and 2014, negative in the intermediate years, and saw a substantial negative dip to -1,989 million US dollars in 2015, before recovering to a positive 172 million US dollars in 2016. This indicates significant volatility in comprehensive income sources outside of net income.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income followed net income trends closely from 2011 to 2014 with relatively stable values around 1,200 to 1,300 million US dollars. However, the severe negative comprehensive income in 2015 (-446 million US dollars) contrasts starkly with the previous years, largely driven by foreign currency and other comprehensive losses. In 2016, comprehensive income rebounded strongly to 2,482 million US dollars, surpassing the prior high net income year and indicating a recovery in non-net income components.

Comprehensive Income Attributable to McKesson Corporation

Numbers attributable specifically to the corporation showed a pattern similar to total comprehensive income but with slightly lower values in 2014 and a less severe negative figure in 2015 (-234 million US dollars). This suggests that noncontrolling interests had some impact on the total comprehensive income losses and gains, particularly noticeable in 2015 and 2016.

In summary, net income steadily increased over the period with a substantial gain in 2016. Comprehensive income was more volatile due to large swings in foreign currency translation adjustments and other comprehensive income components, especially pronounced in 2015 where significant negative adjustments notably affected total comprehensive results. The recovery in 2016 indicates a return to favorable comprehensive income conditions. The data suggests exposure to currency risk and retirement-related benefit volatility, emphasizing the importance of managing these elements to stabilize comprehensive income performance.