liquidity the primary source of our liquidity is cash flow from operations . over the most recent two-year period , our operations have generated $ 5.6 billion in cash . a substantial portion of this operating cash flow has been returned to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends . we also use cash from operations to fund our capital expenditures and acquisitions . we typically use a combination of cash , notes payable , and long-term debt , and occasionally issue shares of stock , to finance significant acquisitions . as of may 26 , 2019 , we had $ 399 million of cash and cash equivalents held in foreign jurisdictions . as a result of the tcja , the historic undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries were taxed in the u.s . via the one-time repatriation tax in fiscal 2018 . we have re-evaluated our assertion and have concluded that although earnings prior to fiscal 2018 will remain permanently reinvested , we will no longer make a permanent reinvestment assertion beginning with our fiscal 2018 earnings . as part of the accounting for the tcja , we recorded local country withholding taxes related to certain entities from which we began repatriating undistributed earnings and will continue to record local country withholding taxes on all future earnings . as a result of the transition tax , we may repatriate our cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries without such funds being subject to further u.s . income tax liability ( please see note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in item 8 of this report for additional information ) . cash flows from operations .
during fiscal 2019 , cash provided by operations was $ 2807 million compared to $ 2841 million in the same period last year . the $ 34 million decrease was primarily driven by a $ 377 million decrease in net earnings and a $ 550 million change in current assets and liabilities , partially offset by a $ 598 million change in deferred income taxes . the $ 550 million change in current assets and liabilities was primarily driven by a $ 413 million change in the timing of accounts payable , including the impact of longer payment terms implemented in prior fiscal years . the change in deferred income taxes was primarily related to the $ 638 million provisional benefit from revaluing our net u.s . deferred tax liabilities to reflect the new u.s . corporate tax rate as a result of the tcja in fiscal we strive to grow core working capital at or below the rate of growth in our net sales . for fiscal 2019 , core working capital decreased 34 percent , compared to a net sales increase of 7 percent . as of may 26 , 2019 , our core working capital balance totaled $ 385 million , down 34 percent versus last year , this is primarily driven by continued benefits from our payment terms extension program and lower inventory balances . in fiscal 2018 , core working capital decreased 27 percent , compared to a net sales increase of 1 percent. .
Fiscal Year
In Millions 2019 2018
Net earnings, including earnings attributable to redeemable and noncontrollinginterests $1,786.2 $2,163.0
Depreciation and amortization 620.1 618.8
After-taxearnings from joint ventures (72.0) (84.7)
Distributions of earnings from joint ventures 86.7 113.2
Stock-based compensation 84.9 77.0
Deferred income taxes 93.5 (504.3)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan contributions (28.8) (31.8)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan costs 6.1 4.6
Divestitures loss 30.0 -
Restructuring, impairment, and other exit costs 235.7 126.0
Changes in current assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions anddivestitures (7.5) 542.1
Other, net (27.9) (182.9)
Net cash provided by operating activities $2,807.0 $2,841.0
in millions fiscal year 2019 fiscal year 2018
net earnings including earnings attributable to redeemable and noncontrollinginterests $ 1786.2 $ 2163.0
depreciation and amortization 620.1 618.8
after-taxearnings from joint ventures -72.0 ( 72.0 ) -84.7 ( 84.7 )
distributions of earnings from joint ventures 86.7 113.2
stock-based compensation 84.9 77.0
deferred income taxes 93.5 -504.3 ( 504.3 )
pension and other postretirement benefit plan contributions -28.8 ( 28.8 ) -31.8 ( 31.8 )
pension and other postretirement benefit plan costs 6.1 4.6
divestitures loss 30.0 -
restructuring impairment and other exit costs 235.7 126.0
changes in current assets and liabilities excluding the effects of acquisitions anddivestitures -7.5 ( 7.5 ) 542.1
other net -27.9 ( 27.9 ) -182.9 ( 182.9 )
net cash provided by operating activities $ 2807.0 $ 2841.0
during fiscal 2019 , what was the percent of the change in the cash provided by operations