Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its subsidiaries engaged in manufacturing operations. Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, which are involved mainly in selling operations outside of the United States, are carried at cost and are insignificant in total. Investments in affiliates (20-50%-owned) are recorded at cost plus equity in their undistributed earnings since formation. Intercompany accounts, transactions and unrealized profits and losses on transactions within the consolidated group and with significant affiliates are eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Translation Procedures Foreign currency accounts are translated into U.S. dollars under the provisions of SFAS No. 52, with the U.S. dollar as the functional currency for the majority of international operations. Under this standard: (1) land, buildings and equipment and related depreciation, inventories and cost of goods sold, goodwill and intangibles and related amortization and minority interest are translated at historical rates of exchange; (2) all other assets and liabilities are translated at current rates of exchange, and (3) monthly income, costs and expenses other than depreciation, amortization of goodwill and intangibles and cost of goods sold are translated at current rates of exchange. Translation gains and losses of those operations that use local currencies as the functional currency are included as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Foreign exchange adjustments, including recognition of unperformed foreign exchange contracts which are not intended to hedge an identifiable foreign currency commitment, are charged or credited to income based on current exchange rates.
Environmental Accounting Accruals for environmental remediation are recorded when it is probable a liability has been incurred and costs are reasonably estimable. The estimated liabilities are recorded at undiscounted amounts. The cost of operating and maintaining environmental control facilities are charged to expense. Expenditures which mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations are capitalized and depreciated under normal depreciation policies. It is the company's practice to reflect environmental insurance recoveries in the results of operations for the quarter in which litigation is resolved through settlement or other appropriate legal process.
Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings applicable to common shareholders by the average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adding the earnings impact of the dilutive effect of the conversion of preferred stock to net earnings applicable to common shareholders and dividing this amount by the average number of common shares outstanding for the period adjusted for the assumed preferred stock conversion and for the dilutive effect of an assumed exercise of all options outstanding at the end of the period.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash, time deposits and readily marketable securities with original maturities of three months or less.
Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is primarily determined under the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method.
Land, Buildings and Equipment and Related Depreciation Land, buildings and equipment are carried at cost. Assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives on the straight-line and accelerated methods. Maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings; replacements and betterments are capitalized. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of buildings and equipment are removed from the accounts upon retirement or other disposition; any resulting profit or loss is reflected in earnings.
Intangible Assets The company amortizes identifiable intangible assets such as patents and trademarks on the straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill is amortized on the straight-line basis over periods not greater than 40 years.
Income Taxes The company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and their values as measured by tax laws.
Stock Compensation The company applies the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations in accounting for stock compensation plans. Under this method, no compensation expense is recognized for fixed stock option plans.
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