Fair value measurement

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value measurement

Fair value measurement

To estimate the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities we use valuation approaches within a hierarchy that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is divided into three levels based on the source of inputs as follows:

Level 1	—	Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access
Level 2	—	Valuations for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, other than level 1 inputs
Level 3	—	Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement

The availability of observable inputs can vary among the various types of financial assets and liabilities. To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. In certain cases, the inputs used for measuring fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for financial statement disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level of input used that is significant to the overall fair value measurement.

The fair value of each major class of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis was as follows (in millions):

	Quoted prices  in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other  observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Fair value measurement
as of September 30, 2012, using:							Total
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	3,960	$	—	$	—	$	3,960
Other government-related debt securities:
Obligations of U.S. government agencies and FDIC-guaranteed bank debt	—		1,198		—		1,198
Foreign and other	—		1,712		—		1,712
Corporate debt securities:
Financial	—		3,256		—		3,256
Industrial	—		4,318		—		4,318
Other	—		432		—		432
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		1,836		—		1,836
Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	—		2,066		—		2,066
Money market mutual funds	4,000		—		—		4,000
Other short-term interest-bearing securities	—		2,105		—		2,105
Equity securities	52		—		—		52
Derivatives:
Foreign currency contracts	—		87		—		87
Cross-currency swap contracts	—		12		—		12
Total assets	$	8,012	$	17,022	$	—	$	25,034
Liabilities:
Derivatives:
Foreign currency contracts	$	—	$	55	$	—	$	55
Cross-currency swap contracts	—		27		—		27
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with a business combination	—		—		195		195
Total liabilities	$	—	$	82	$	195	$	277

	Quoted prices  in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other  observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Fair value measurement
as of December 31, 2011, using:							Total
Assets:
Available-for-sale investments:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	3,946	$	—	$	—	$	3,946
Other government-related debt securities:
Obligations of U.S. government agencies and FDIC-guaranteed bank debt	—		1,571		—		1,571
Foreign and other	—		450		—		450
Corporate debt securities:
Financial	—		2,508		—		2,508
Industrial	—		3,146		—		3,146
Other	—		289		—		289
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		518		—		518
Other mortgage- and asset-backed securities	—		1,267		—		1,267
Money market mutual funds	6,266		—		—		6,266
Equity securities	42		—		—		42
Derivatives:
Foreign currency contracts	—		172		—		172
Interest rate swap contracts	—		377		—		377
Total assets	$	10,254	$	10,298	$	—	$	20,552
Liabilities:
Derivatives:
Foreign currency contracts	$	—	$	48	$	—	$	48
Cross-currency swap contracts	—		26		—		26
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with a business combination	—		—		190		190
Total liabilities	$	—	$	74	$	190	$	264

The fair values of our U.S. Treasury securities, money market mutual funds and equity securities are based on quoted market prices in active markets with no valuation adjustment.

Most of our other government-related and corporate debt securities are investment grade with maturity dates of five years or less from the balance sheet date. Our other government-related debt securities portfolio is composed of securities with weighted-average credit ratings of A+ by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and AA- or equivalent by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch); and our corporate debt securities portfolio has a weighted-average credit rating of A- or equivalent by S&P and Moody’s and A by Fitch. We estimate the fair values of these securities by taking into consideration valuations obtained from third-party pricing services. The pricing services utilize industry standard valuation models, including both income- and market-based approaches, for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, to estimate fair value. These inputs include reported trades of and broker/dealer quotes on the same or similar securities; issuer credit spreads; benchmark securities; and other observable inputs.

Our residential mortgage-, other mortgage- and asset-backed securities portfolio is composed entirely of senior tranches, with credit ratings of AA+ by S&P and AAA or equivalent by Moody’s or Fitch. We estimate the fair values of these securities by taking into consideration valuations obtained from third-party pricing services. The pricing services utilize industry standard valuation models, including both income- and market-based approaches, for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, to estimate fair value. These inputs include reported trades of and broker/dealer quotes on the same or similar securities; issuer credit spreads; benchmark securities; prepayment/default projections based on historical data; and other observable inputs.

We value our other short-term interest-bearing securities at amortized cost, which approximates fair value given their near term maturity dates.

Substantially all of our foreign currency forward and option derivatives contracts have maturities primarily over a three-year time horizon and all are with counterparties that have minimum credit ratings of A- or equivalent by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch. We estimate the fair values of these contracts by taking into consideration valuations obtained from a third-party valuation service that utilizes an income-based industry standard valuation model for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. These inputs include foreign currency rates, London Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR), swap rates and obligor credit default swap rates. In addition, inputs for our foreign currency option contracts also include implied volatility measures. These inputs, where applicable, are at commonly quoted intervals. (See Note 12, Derivative instruments.)

Our cross-currency swap contracts are with counterparties that have minimum credit ratings of A- or equivalent by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch. We estimate the fair values of these contracts by taking into consideration valuations obtained from a third-party valuation service that utilizes an income-based industry standard valuation model for which all significant inputs are observable either directly or indirectly. These inputs include foreign currency exchange rates, LIBOR, swap rates, obligor credit default swap rates and cross-currency basis swap spreads. (See Note 12, Derivative instruments.)

All of our interest rate swap contracts were terminated during the three months ended June 30, 2012 (See Note 12, Derivative instruments.) While outstanding, our interest rate swap contracts were with counterparties that had minimum credit ratings of A- or equivalent by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch. We estimated the fair values of these contracts by using an income-based industry standard valuation model for which all significant inputs were observable either directly or indirectly. These inputs included LIBOR, swap rates and obligor credit default swap rates.

As a result of our acquisition of BioVex Group, Inc. in March 2011, we are obligated to pay its former shareholders up to $575 million of additional consideration contingent upon achieving up to eight separate regulatory and sales-related milestones with regard to talimogene laherparepvec, which was acquired in the acquisition and is currently in phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of malignant melanoma. The three largest of these potential payments are $125 million each, including the amount due upon completion of the filing of a Biologics License Application with the FDA. Potential payments are also due upon the first commercial sale in each of the United States and the European Union (EU) following receipt of marketing approval which includes use of the product in specified patient populations and upon achievement of specified levels of sales within specified periods of time.

These contingent consideration obligations are recorded at their estimated fair values with any changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The fair value measurements of these obligations are based on significant unobservable inputs, including the estimated probabilities and timing of achieving the related regulatory events in connection with these milestones and, as applicable, estimated annual sales. Significant changes (increases or decreases) in these inputs would result in corresponding changes in the fair values of the contingent consideration obligations.

Annually, or whenever there are significant changes in underlying key assumptions, we estimate the fair values of these contingent consideration obligations by using a combination of probability-adjusted discounted cash flows, option pricing techniques and a simulation model of expected annual sales. Quarterly, a review of key assumptions is performed by management in our R&D and commercial sales organizations. In the absence of any significant changes in key assumptions, the quarterly determination of fair values of these contingent consideration obligations reflects the passage of time and changes in our credit risk adjusted rate used to discount obligations to present value. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, there were no significant changes in underlying key assumptions; and the increases in the estimated aggregate fair value of $2 million and $5 million, respectively, were recorded in Other operating expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between the fair value measurement levels, and there were no material remeasurements to fair value during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, of assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. See Note 2, Business combinations for further discussion on an impairment of an indefinite-lived intangible asset that we recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Summary of the fair value of other financial instruments

Borrowings

We estimate the fair values of our convertible notes (Level 2) by using an income-based industry standard valuation model for which all significant inputs are observable either directly or indirectly, including benchmark yields adjusted for our credit risk. The fair value of our convertible notes represents only the liability components of these instruments, because their equity components are included in Common stock and additional paid-in capital in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We estimate the fair values of our other long-term notes (Level 2) by taking into consideration indicative prices obtained from a third party financial institution that utilizes industry standard valuation models, including both income- and market-based approaches, for which all significant inputs are observable either directly or indirectly. These inputs include reported trades of and broker/dealer quotes on the same or similar securities; credit spreads; benchmark yields; foreign currency exchange rates, as applicable; and other observable inputs. As of September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the aggregate fair values of our long-term debt were $29.5 billion and $23.0 billion, respectively, and the carrying values were $26.5 billion and $21.4 billion, respectively.