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Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies  
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies

Footnote 1 — Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, the "Company") have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations. It is recommended that these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the footnotes thereto included in the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Seasonal Variations: Sales of the Company's products tend to be seasonal, with sales and operating income in the first quarter generally lower than any other quarter during the year, driven principally by reduced volume and the mix of products sold in the first quarter. Historically, the Company has earned more than 60% of its annual operating income during the second and third quarters of the year. The seasonality of the Company's sales volume combined with the accounting for fixed costs, such as depreciation, amortization, rent, personnel costs and interest expense, impacts the Company's results on a quarterly basis. In addition, the Company has historically generated more than 65% of its operating cash flow in the second half of the year due to seasonal variations in operating results, the timing of annual performance-based compensation payments, and credit terms provided to customers. Accordingly, the Company's results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 may not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2011.