Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

(8) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

Accounting standards define fair value based on an exit price model, establish a framework for measuring fair value where the Company's assets and liabilities are required to be carried at fair value and provide for certain disclosures related to the valuation methods used within a valuation hierarchy as established within the accounting standards. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, including interest rates, yield curves and credit risks, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company's assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability's classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

A summary of financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows ($ in millions):

	Quoted Prices in Active Market (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
December 31, 2011:
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	$	287.0		—		—	$	287.0
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans		—	$	58.2		—		58.2
Currency swap agreement		—		53.9		—		53.9
December 31, 2010:
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	$	257.0		—		—	$	257.0
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans		—	$	64.4		—		64.4

Available-for-sale securities are measured at fair value using quoted market prices in an active market and included in other long-term assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company has established nonqualified deferred compensation programs that permit officers, directors and certain management employees to defer a portion of their compensation, on a pre-tax basis, until at or after their termination of employment (or board service, as applicable). All amounts deferred under this plan are unfunded, unsecured obligations of the Company and presented as a component of the Company's compensation and benefits accrual included in accrued expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet (refer to Note 9). Participants may choose among alternative earning rates for the amounts they defer, which are primarily based on investment options within the Company's 401(k) program (except that the earnings rates for amounts deferred by the Company's directors and amounts contributed unilaterally by the Company are entirely based on changes in the value of the Company's common stock). Changes in the deferred compensation liability under these programs are recognized based on changes in the fair value of the participants' accounts, which are based on the applicable earnings rate.

In connection with the acquisition of Beckman Coulter, the Company acquired an existing currency swap agreement. The agreement requires the Company to purchase approximately 184 million Japanese Yen (JPY/¥) at rate of $1 / ¥102.25 on a monthly basis through June 1, 2018. As of December 31, 2011, the aggregate Japanese Yen purchase commitment was approximately ¥14.1 billion (approximately $182 million based on exchange rates as of December 31, 2011). The currency swap does not qualify for hedge accounting, and as a result changes in the fair value of the currency swap are reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings each reporting period. During the year ended December 31, 2011 the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $8 million related to changes in the fair value of this currency swap. The fair value of the currency swap is included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. Since there is not an active market for the currency swap, the Company obtains a market quote based on observable inputs, including foreign currency exchange market data, from the swap counterparties to adjust the currency swap to fair value each quarter.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

In addition to the fair value disclosure requirements related to financial instruments carried at fair value, accounting standards require disclosures regarding the fair value of all the Company's financial instruments. The methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value of financial instruments and any changes in methods or significant assumptions from prior periods are also required to be disclosed.

The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows ($ in millions):

	2011				2010
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	$	287.0	$	287.0	$	257.0	$	257.0
Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings		98.4		98.4		40.8		40.8
Long-term borrowings		5,206.8		5,790.1		2,783.9		3,372.6
Currency swap agreement		53.9		53.9		—		—

The fair values of available-for-sale securities and long-term borrowings were computed based on quoted market prices. The differences between the fair value and the carrying amounts of long-term borrowings (other than the Company's Liquid Yield Option Notes due 2021 (the "LYONs")) are attributable to changes in interest rates and/or the Company's credit ratings subsequent to the incurrence of the borrowing. In the case of the LYONs, differences in the fair value from the carrying value are attributable to changes in the price of the Company's common stock due to the LYONs conversion features. The available-for-sale securities represent the Company's investment in marketable securities that are accounted for at fair value. The currency swap agreement is accounted for at fair value based on a market quote obtained from the swap counterparties on a quarterly basis. The fair values of short-term borrowings, as well as, cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, net, and trade accounts payable approximate the carrying amounts due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

Refer to Note 11 for information related to the fair value of the Company sponsored defined benefit pension plan assets.