Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

A.Fair value measurements

The guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  This guidance also specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques.  Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions.  In accordance with this guidance, fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:

▪ Level 1 –Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

▪ Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.

▪ Level 3 – Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable.

When available, we use quoted market prices to determine fair value, and we classify such measurements within Level 1.  In some cases where market prices are not available, we make use of observable market based inputs to calculate fair value, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2.  If quoted or observable market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that use, where possible, current market-based parameters such as interest rates, yield curves and currency rates.  These measurements are classified within Level 3.

Fair value measurements are classified according to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to the valuation.  A measurement may therefore be classified within Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are readily observable.

Fair value measurement includes the consideration of nonperformance risk.  Nonperformance risk refers to the risk that an obligation (either by a counterparty or Caterpillar) will not be fulfilled.  For financial assets traded in an active market (Level 1 and certain Level 2), the nonperformance risk is included in the market price.  For certain other financial assets and liabilities (certain Level 2 and Level 3), our fair value calculations have been adjusted accordingly.

Available-for-sale securities

Our available-for-sale securities, primarily at Cat Insurance, include a mix of equity and debt instruments (see Note 8 for additional information).  Fair values for our U.S. treasury bonds and equity securities are based upon valuations for identical instruments in active markets.  Fair values for other government bonds, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed debt securities are based upon models that take into consideration such market-based factors as recent sales, risk-free yield curves and prices of similarly rated bonds.

Derivative financial instruments

The fair value of interest rate swap derivatives is primarily based on models that utilize the appropriate market-based forward swap curves and zero-coupon interest rates to determine discounted cash flows.  The fair value of foreign currency and commodity forward and option contracts is based on a valuation model that discounts cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate.

Guarantees

The fair value of guarantees is based upon our estimate of the premium a market participant would require to issue the same guarantee in a stand-alone arms-length transaction with an unrelated party. If quoted or observable market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that utilize current market-based assumptions.

Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value, primarily related to Financial Products, included in our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are summarized below:

(Millions of dollars)	September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Assets / Liabilities, at Fair Value
Assets
Available-for-sale securities
Government debt
U.S. treasury bonds	$	10	$	—	$	—	$	10
Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds	—		118		—		118
Corporate bonds
Corporate bonds	—		672		—		672
Asset-backed securities	—		94		—		94
Mortgage-backed debt securities
U.S. governmental agency	—		298		—		298
Residential	—		27		—		27
Commercial	—		131		—		131
Equity securities
Large capitalization value	177		—		—		177
Smaller company growth	34		—		—		34
Total available-for-sale securities	221		1,340		—		1,561
Derivative financial instruments, net	—		156		—		156
Total Assets	$	221	$	1,496	$	—	$	1,717
Liabilities
Guarantees	$	—	$	—	$	17	$	17
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	17	$	17

(Millions of dollars)	December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Assets / Liabilities, at Fair Value
Assets
Available-for-sale securities
Government debt
U.S. treasury bonds	$	10	$	—	$	—	$	10
Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds	—		92		—		92
Corporate bonds
Corporate bonds	—		572		—		572
Asset-backed securities	—		111		—		111
Mortgage-backed debt securities
U.S. governmental agency	—		310		—		310
Residential	—		30		—		30
Commercial	—		145		—		145
Equity securities
Large capitalization value	148		—		—		148
Smaller company growth	29		—		—		29
Total available-for-sale securities	187		1,260		—		1,447
Derivative financial instruments, net	—		145		—		145
Total Assets	$	187	$	1,405	$	—	$	1,592
Liabilities
Guarantees	$	—	$	—	$	7	$	7
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	7	$	7

Below are roll-forwards of liabilities measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.  These instruments were valued using pricing models that, in management’s judgment, reflect the assumptions of a marketplace participant.

(Millions of dollars)	Guarantees
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	7
Acquisitions	6
Issuance of guarantees	7
Expiration of guarantees	(3		)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	17
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	10
Issuance of guarantees	2
Expiration of guarantees	(5		)
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	7

In addition to the amounts above, Cat Financial had impaired loans with a fair value of $201 million and $141 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  A loan is considered impaired when management determines that collection of contractual amounts due is not probable.  In these cases, an allowance for credit losses is established based primarily on the fair value of associated collateral.  As the collateral’s fair value is based on observable market prices and/or current appraised values, the impaired loans are classified as Level 2 measurements.

B.Fair values of financial instruments

In addition to the methods and assumptions we use to record the fair value of financial instruments as discussed in the Fair value measurements section above, we used the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of our financial instruments:

Cash and short-term investments

Carrying amount approximated fair value.

Restricted cash and short-term investments

Carrying amount approximated fair value.  Restricted cash and short-term investments are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

Finance receivables

Fair value was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates, representative of receivables with similar remaining maturities.

Wholesale inventory receivables

Fair value was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates, representative of receivables with similar remaining maturities.

Short-term borrowings

Carrying amount approximated fair value.

Long-term debt

Fair value for fixed and floating rate debt was estimated based on quoted market prices.

Please refer to the table below for the fair values of our financial instruments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
(Millions of dollars)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Levels	Reference
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	$	5,689	$	5,689	$	3,057	$	3,057	1
Restricted cash and short-term investments	112		112		87		87		1
Available-for-sale securities	1,561		1,561		1,447		1,447		1 & 2	Note 8
Finance receivables—net (excluding finance leases 1)	14,503		14,508		12,689		12,516		2	Note 15
Wholesale inventory receivables—net (excluding finance leases 1)	1,677		1,611		1,591		1,505		2	Note 15
Interest rate swaps—net	239		239		241		241		2	Note 4
Commodity contracts—net	1		1		—		—		2	Note 4
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	5,067		5,067		3,988		3,988		1
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)
Machinery and Power Systems	10,276		12,620		8,973		10,737		2
Financial Products	24,509		25,607		21,631		22,674		2
Foreign currency contracts—net	84		84		89		89		2	Note 4
Commodity contracts—net	—		—		7		7		2	Note 4
Guarantees	17		17		7		7		3	Note 10

¹ Total excluded items have a net carrying value at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 of $7,974 million and $7,324 million, respectively.