New Accounting Standards

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards

3. New Accounting Standards

        Following are summaries of accounting pronouncements that either were adopted recently or may become applicable to our consolidated financial statements. It should be noted that the accounting standards references provided below reflect the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification, and related Accounting Standards Updates (ASU).

Recently Adopted Pronouncements

        In May 2011, the FASB issued a standard that is intended to improve comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and International Financial Reporting Standards (ASU No. 2011-04). This standard clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement requirements including guidance on (1) the application of the highest and best use valuation premise, (2) the methodology to measure the fair value of an instrument classified in a reporting entity's shareholders' equity, (3) disclosure requirements for quantitative information on Level 3 fair value measurements and (4) measuring the fair value of financial instruments managed within a portfolio. In addition, the standard requires additional disclosures of the fair value sensitivities to changes in unobservable inputs for Level 3 securities. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

        In June 2011, the FASB issued a standard that pertains to the presentation of comprehensive income (ASU No. 2011-05). This standard requires that all comprehensive income be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The standard also requires entities to disclose on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net earnings. This standard no longer allows companies to present components of other comprehensive income only in the statement of partners' capital. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.