10-Q 1 px-q3201410q.htm PRAXAIR, INC. 2014 THIRD QUARTER FORM 10-Q PX-Q3 2014 10Q
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to
PRAXAIR, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-11037
 
06-1249050
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
 
39 OLD RIDGEBURY ROAD, DANBURY, CT
 
06810-5113
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(203) 837-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  ¨    No  ý
At September 30, 2014, 291,372,541 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value) of the Registrant were outstanding.
 


INDEX
 
 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 




PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Millions of dollars, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
SALES
$
3,144

 
$
3,013

Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
1,780

 
1,697

Selling, general and administrative
327

 
336

Depreciation and amortization
301

 
281

Research and development
25

 
24

Venezuela currency devaluation and other charges
—

 
9

Other income (expense) - net
—

 
4

OPERATING PROFIT
711

 
670

Interest expense - net
45

 
41

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY INVESTMENTS
666

 
629

Income taxes
187

 
175

INCOME BEFORE EQUITY INVESTMENTS
479

 
454

Income from equity investments
11

 
8

NET INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)
490

 
462

Less: noncontrolling interests
(13
)
 
(17
)
NET INCOME - PRAXAIR, INC.
$
477

 
$
445

PER SHARE DATA - PRAXAIR, INC. SHAREHOLDERS
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
1.63

 
$
1.51

Diluted earnings per share
$
1.62

 
$
1.49

Cash dividends per share
$
0.65

 
$
0.60

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (000’s):
 
 
 
Basic shares outstanding
292,170

 
295,124

Diluted shares outstanding
295,239

 
298,357

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


3

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Millions of dollars, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
SALES
$
9,283

 
$
8,915

Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
5,273

 
5,045

Selling, general and administrative
988

 
1,017

Depreciation and amortization
879

 
822

Research and development
72

 
72

Venezuela currency devaluation and other charges
—

 
32

Other income (expense) - net
12

 
8

OPERATING PROFIT
2,083

 
1,935

Interest expense - net
134

 
122

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY INVESTMENTS
1,949

 
1,813

Income taxes
546

 
513

INCOME BEFORE EQUITY INVESTMENTS
1,403

 
1,300

Income from equity investments
30

 
29

NET INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)
1,433

 
1,329

Less: noncontrolling interests
(41
)
 
(48
)
NET INCOME - PRAXAIR, INC.
$
1,392

 
$
1,281

PER SHARE DATA - PRAXAIR, INC. SHAREHOLDERS
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
4.75

 
$
4.33

Diluted earnings per share
$
4.70

 
$
4.28

Cash dividends per share
$
1.95

 
$
1.80

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (000’s):
 
 
 
Basic shares outstanding
293,103

 
295,799

Diluted shares outstanding
296,240

 
299,077

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


4

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Millions of dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
NET INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)
$
490

 
$
462

 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
 
 
Translation adjustments:
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(604
)
 
77

Income taxes
(5
)
 
—

Translation adjustments
(609
)
 
77

Funded status - retirement obligations (Note 11):
 
 
 
Retirement program remeasurements
18

 
5

Reclassifications to net income
12

 
31

Income taxes
(9
)
 
(13
)
Funded status - retirement obligations
21

 
23

Derivative instruments (Note 6):
 
 
 
Current quarter unrealized gain (loss)
—

 
1

Derivative instruments
—

 
1

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(588
)
 
101

 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)
(98
)
 
563

Less: noncontrolling interests
7

 
(23
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - PRAXAIR, INC.
$
(91
)
 
$
540

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


5

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Millions of dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
NET INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)
$
1,433

 
$
1,329

 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
 
 
Translation adjustments:
 
 
 
 Foreign currency translation adjustments
(460
)
 
(354
)
 Reclassifications to net income
(3
)
 
—

 Income taxes
(20
)
 
19

Translation adjustments
(483
)
 
(335
)
Funded status - retirement obligations (Note 11):
 
 
 
Retirement program remeasurements
2

 
(4
)
Reclassifications to net income
39

 
76

Income taxes
(13
)
 
(23
)
Funded status - retirement obligations
28

 
49

Derivative instruments (Note 6):
 
 
 
Current period unrealized gain
3

 
1

Income taxes
(1
)
 
—

Derivative instruments
2

 
1

TOTAL OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(453
)
 
(285
)
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (INCLUDING NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS)
980

 
1,044

Less: noncontrolling interests
(18
)
 
(40
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - PRAXAIR, INC.
$
962

 
$
1,004

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


6

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Millions of dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
168

 
$
138

Accounts receivable - net
1,959

 
1,892

Inventories
545

 
506

Prepaid and other current assets
386

 
380

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
3,058

 
2,916

Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation of $12,049 in 2014 and $11,753 in 2013)
12,268

 
12,278

Goodwill
3,189

 
3,194

Other intangible assets - net
610

 
596

Other long-term assets
1,259

 
1,271

TOTAL ASSETS
$
20,384

 
$
20,255

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
864

 
$
921

Short-term debt
619

 
782

Current portion of long-term debt
413

 
3

Other current liabilities
1,064

 
958

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
2,960

 
2,664

Long-term debt
8,089

 
8,026

Other long-term liabilities
2,205

 
2,255

TOTAL LIABILITIES
13,254

 
12,945

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
190

 
307

Praxair, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock $0.01 par value, authorized - 800,000,000 shares, issued - 383,230,625 shares for both periods
4

 
4

Additional paid-in capital
3,981

 
3,970

Retained earnings
11,348

 
10,528

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(2,411
)
 
(1,981
)
Treasury stock, at cost (2014 - 91,858,084 shares and 2013 - 89,096,761 shares)
(6,370
)
 
(5,912
)
Total Praxair, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity
6,552

 
6,609

Noncontrolling interests
388

 
394

TOTAL EQUITY
6,940

 
7,003

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
20,384

 
$
20,255

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


7

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Millions of dollars)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
OPERATIONS
 
 
 
Net income - Praxair, Inc.
$
1,392

 
$
1,281

Noncontrolling interests
41

 
48

Net income (including noncontrolling interests)
1,433

 
1,329

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Venezuela currency devaluation
—

 
23

Depreciation and amortization
879

 
822

Deferred income taxes
(32
)
 
88

Share-based compensation
42

 
52

Working capital:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(144
)
 
(139
)
Inventory
(52
)
 
(63
)
Prepaid and other current assets
18

 
(54
)
Payables and accruals
(3
)
 
18

Pension contributions
(14
)
 
(48
)
Long-term assets, liabilities and other
(31
)
 
(75
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
2,096

 
1,953

INVESTING
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(1,207
)
 
(1,504
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(191
)
 
(1,311
)
Divestitures and asset sales
86

 
65

Net cash used for investing activities
(1,312
)
 
(2,750
)
FINANCING
 
 
 
Short-term debt borrowings (repayments) - net
(161
)
 
504

Long-term debt borrowings
867

 
2,105

Long-term debt repayments
(312
)
 
(939
)
Issuances of common stock
85

 
108

Purchases of common stock
(562
)
 
(458
)
Cash dividends - Praxair, Inc. shareholders
(570
)
 
(531
)
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation
28

 
31

Noncontrolling interest transactions and other
(123
)
 
(24
)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities
(748
)
 
796

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(6
)
 
(22
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
30

 
(23
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning-of-period
138

 
157

Cash and cash equivalents, end-of-period
$
168

 
$
134

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

8

INDEX TO NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries (Unaudited)
 


9

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Presentation of Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - In the opinion of Praxair, Inc. (Praxair) management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented and such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements of Praxair, Inc. and subsidiaries in Praxair’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the company’s significant accounting policies during 2014.
Inventories - Effective July 1, 2014, the Company changed its method of accounting for all remaining operations that were using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method to the average-cost method. This change only impacted approximately 6% of Praxair's inventories which were accounted for under the LIFO method. See Note 4.
Accounting Standards Implemented in 2014
The following standards were effective for Praxair in 2014 and their adoption did not have a significant impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements:
•
Accounting for Cumulative Translation Adjustment – In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued updated guidance on the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity, or as a result of acquisitions achieved in stages. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
•
Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits – In July 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. The new guidance requires an entity to present certain unrecognized tax benefits, or a portion thereof, as a reduction to the related deferred tax asset, primarily for loss and tax credit carryforwards. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Standards to be Implemented
•
Reporting Discontinued Operations – In April 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on the reporting and disclosures of discontinued operations. The new guidance requires that the disposal of a component of an entity be reported as discontinued operations only if the action represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results, and would require expanded disclosures. This guidance will be effective for Praxair beginning in the first quarter of 2015, with early adoption optional.
•
Revenue Recognition – In May 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on the reporting and disclosure of revenue. The new guidance requires the evaluation of contracts with customers to determine the recognition of revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation, and would require expanded disclosures. This guidance will be effective for Praxair beginning in the first quarter 2017 and includes several transition options. Praxair is in the early stages of reviewing the new guidance and will provide updates on the expected impact to Praxair in future filings, as determined.
•
Accounting for Share-based Compensation - In June 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. Praxair does not expect this requirement to have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. This guidance will be effective for Praxair beginning in the first quarter 2016, with early adoption optional.

Reclassifications – Certain prior years’ amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
2. 2013 Venezuela Currency Devaluation and Other Charges
Venezuela Currency Devaluation
On February 8, 2013, Venezuela announced a devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar from 4.30 to 6.30 (a 32% devaluation), effective on February 13, 2013. In the first quarter 2013 Praxair recorded a $23 million pre-tax charge ($23 million after-tax

10

or $0.08 per diluted share) due primarily to the remeasurement of the local Venezuelan balance sheet to reflect the new official 6.30 exchange rate.
Pension Settlement Charge
In 2012 a number of senior managers retired. These retirees are covered by the U.S. supplemental pension plan which provides for a lump sum benefit payment option. Under certain circumstances, such lump sum payments must be accounted for as a settlement of the related pension obligation, but only when paid. Accordingly, Praxair recorded a settlement charge related to net unrecognized actuarial losses of $9 million ($6 million after-tax) in the third quarter 2013, when the cash payments were made to the retirees.
3. Acquisitions
2014 Acquisitions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 Praxair had acquisitions totaling $191 million. These consisted primarily of an industrial gases business in Italy and packaged gases businesses in North and South America. These transactions resulted in goodwill and other intangible assets of $71 million and $53 million, respectively (see Note 9). The allocation of the purchase price is based on preliminary estimates and assumptions, and are subject to revision based on final information received, including appraisals and other analyses that support the underlying estimates. Adjustments, if any, are not expected to be material.

2013 Acquisitions

NuCO2 
On March 1, 2013 Praxair acquired 100% of NuCO2 Inc. ("NuCO2") for $1,095 million. NuCO2 is the leading national provider of beverage carbonation solutions in the United States to the restaurant and hospitality industries with 162,000 customer locations and 900 employees, and with 2012 sales of approximately $230 million. The NuCO2 micro-bulk beverage carbonation solution is the service model of choice for quick service restaurants and convenience stores offering fountain beverages and represents an extension of Praxair's core industrial gas business.
The acquisition of NuCO2 was accounted for as a business combination. Following the acquisition date, 100% of NuCO2's results were consolidated in the North America business segment. For the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, Praxair's consolidated income statement includes sales of $63 million and $20 million, respectively, related to NuCO2. Pro forma results for 2013 have not been included as the impact of the acquisition is not material to the consolidated statements of income.
The following table summarizes the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of NuCO2 as of the acquisition date. Purchase accounting has been finalized and adjustments made subsequent to the acquisition date were not significant.
(Millions of dollars)
 
March 1, 2013
Trade receivables, net
 
$
17

Property, plant and equipment
 
199

Intangible assets
 
374

Deferred income taxes
 
(85
)
Other assets and (liabilities)
 
(28
)
Goodwill
 
618

Purchase price
 
$
1,095

 
The identifiable intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships that will be amortized over their estimated useful life of 25 years. The deferred income taxes relate primarily to property, plant and equipment, intangibles and operating loss carryforwards. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition is attributable to (i) expected growth from market penetration into the quick service restaurants, convenience stores and themed restaurant chains in the United States and select international markets as we leverage Praxair's customer and distribution networks worldwide, and (ii) cost synergies related to the procurement of raw materials, distribution-related expenses and administrative costs as we integrate and rationalize administration tasks and leverage Praxair's purchasing scale. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes.




11

Other Acquisitions

On May 29, 2013 Praxair acquired Dominion Technology Gases (“Dominion”), a leading global supplier of diving, welding, industrial, laboratory and calibration gases and associated equipment to the offshore oil and gas industry based in Aberdeen, Scotland. Dominion provides products and services to the expanding global offshore oil and gas market.

On June 3, 2013 Praxair acquired Volgograd Oxygen Factory (“VOF”), the largest independent industrial gas business in southern Russia, expanding Praxair's production and distribution capabilities in the Volgograd region. Additionally, Praxair acquired several smaller independent package gas distributors in the United States and a customer contract with operating assets in China.

The results of operations of these acquisitions were consolidated from the respective acquisition dates, primarily in the Europe business segment and the impact was not significant. The aggregate purchase price for these acquisitions was $216 million and resulted in the recognition of $186 million of intangible assets, including $99 million of goodwill and $87 million relating to other intangible assets, which will be amortized over their estimated useful life.

4. Supplemental Information
Inventories
The following is a summary of Praxair’s consolidated inventories:
(Millions of dollars)
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Inventories *
 
 
 
Raw materials and supplies
$
176

 
$
167

Work in process
61

 
58

Finished goods
308

 
281

Total inventories
$
545

 
$
506


* Effective July 1, 2014, Praxair changed its method of accounting for all remaining operations that were using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method to the average-cost method, primarily raw materials. This change only impacted approximately 6% of consolidated inventories which were accounted for under the LIFO method. Praxair applied this change as a cumulative effect adjustment in the third quarter 2014 and did not restate prior periods because the impact was not material. The accounting change increased inventories by $9 million at September 30, 2014, and decreased cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization $9 million ($6 million after-tax) for both the quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014. The Company believes the change is preferable because it will better reflect the impact of current costs in both the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of income, is comparable accounting to the peer group and is aligned with Praxair's inventory management.

Long-term receivables
Long-term receivables are not material and are largely reserved. Such long-term receivables are included within other long-term assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and totaled $47 million and $36 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These amounts are net of reserves of $52 million and $51 million, respectively. The amounts in both periods relate primarily to government receivables in Brazil and other long-term notes receivable from customers. Collectability is reviewed regularly and uncollectible amounts are written-off as appropriate. The account balance changes during 2014 were primarily the result of additional receivables, net of reserves.


12

5. Debt
The following is a summary of Praxair’s outstanding debt at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
(Millions of dollars)
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
SHORT-TERM
 
 
 
Commercial paper and U.S. bank borrowings
$
565

 
$
712

Other bank borrowings (primarily international)
54

 
70

Total short-term debt
619

 
782

LONG-TERM
 
 
 
U.S. borrowings (U.S. dollar denominated unless otherwise noted)
 
 
 
4.375% Notes due 2014 (a)
—

 
300

4.625% Notes due 2015 (b)
500

 
500

3.25% Notes due 2015 (c, d)
411

 
418

0.75% Notes due 2016
400

 
400

5.375% Notes due 2016
400

 
400

5.20% Notes due 2017
325

 
325

1.05% Notes due 2017
400

 
400

1.20% Notes due 2018
500

 
500

1.25% Notes due 2018 (c, d)
478

 
478

4.50% Notes due 2019 (c)
598

 
598

1.90% Notes due 2019
500

 
500

1.50% Euro-denominated notes due 2020 (c, e)
754

 
—

4.05% Notes due 2021 (c)
498

 
498

3.00% Notes due 2021 (c)
497

 
497

2.45% Notes due 2022 (c)
598

 
598

2.20% Notes due 2022 (c)
499

 
499

2.70% Notes due 2023 (c)
499

 
498

3.55% Notes due 2042 (c)
466

 
466

Other
5

 
5

International bank borrowings (b)
166

 
140

Obligations under capital leases
8

 
9

 
8,502

 
8,029

Less: current portion of long-term debt
(413
)
 
(3
)
Total long-term debt
8,089

 
8,026

Total debt
$
9,121

 
$
8,811

 
(a)
In March 2014, Praxair repaid $300 million of 4.375% notes that became due.
(b)
Classified as long-term because of the company’s intent to refinance this debt on a long-term basis and the availability of such financing under the terms of an existing $2 billion long-term credit facility.
(c)
Amounts are net of unamortized discounts.
(d)
September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include a $14 million and $22 million fair value increase, respectively, related to hedge accounting. See Note 6 for additional information.
(e)
During March 2014, Praxair issued €600 million 1.50% Euro-denominated notes due 2020. This debt issuance has been designated as a hedge of the net investment position in European operations where the Euro is the functional currency (see Note 6). The proceeds of this debt issuance were used for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, repayment of debt and share repurchases under the company's share repurchase program.

13

6. Financial Instruments
In its normal operations, Praxair is exposed to market risks relating to fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, energy costs and to a lesser extent precious metal prices. The objective of financial risk management at Praxair is to minimize the negative impact of such fluctuations on the company’s earnings and cash flows. To manage these risks, among other strategies, Praxair routinely enters into various derivative financial instruments (“derivatives”) including interest-rate swap and treasury rate lock agreements, currency-swap agreements, forward contracts, currency options, and commodity-swap agreements. These instruments are not entered into for trading purposes and Praxair only uses commonly traded and non-leveraged instruments.
There are three types of derivatives that the company enters into: (i) those relating to fair-value exposures, (ii) those relating to cash-flow exposures, and (iii) those relating to foreign currency net investment exposures. Fair-value exposures relate to recognized assets or liabilities, and firm commitments; cash-flow exposures relate to the variability of future cash flows associated with recognized assets or liabilities, or forecasted transactions; and net investment exposures relate to the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes on the carrying value of net assets denominated in foreign currencies.
When a derivative is executed and hedge accounting is appropriate, it is designated as either a fair-value hedge, cash-flow hedge, or a net investment hedge. Currently, Praxair designates all interest-rate and treasury-rate locks as hedges for accounting purposes; however, currency contracts are generally not designated as hedges for accounting purposes unless they are related to forecasted transactions. Whether designated as hedges for accounting purposes or not, all derivatives are linked to an appropriate underlying exposure. On an ongoing basis, the company assesses the hedge effectiveness of all derivatives designated as hedges for accounting purposes to determine if they continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the underlying hedged items. If it is determined that the hedge is not highly effective, then hedge accounting will be discontinued prospectively.
Counterparties to Praxair’s derivatives are major banking institutions with credit ratings of investment grade or better and no collateral is required, and there are no significant risk concentrations. Management believes the risk of incurring losses on derivative contracts related to credit risk is remote and any losses would be immaterial.
The following table is a summary of the notional amount and fair value of derivatives outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 for consolidated subsidiaries:
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
Notional Amounts
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
(Millions of dollars)
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet items (a)
$
2,269

 
$
2,197

 
$
4

 
$
4

 
$
34

 
$
14

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forecasted purchases (a)
$
—

 
$
5

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Interest rate contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps (b)
875

 
875

 
14

 
22

 
—

 
—

Total
$
875

 
$
880

 
$
14

 
$
22

 
$
—

 
$
—

Total Derivatives
$
3,144

 
$
3,077

 
$
18

 
$
26

 
$
34

 
$
14

 
(a)
Assets are recorded in prepaid and other current assets, and liabilities are recorded in other current liabilities.
(b)
Assets are recorded in other current and other long term assets
Currency Contracts
Balance Sheet Items
Foreign currency contracts related to balance sheet items consist of forward contracts entered into to manage the exposure to fluctuations in foreign-currency exchange rates on recorded balance sheet assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the related operating unit. The fair value adjustments on these contracts are offset by the fair value adjustments recorded on the hedged assets and liabilities.

14

Forecasted Purchases
Foreign currency contracts related to forecasted purchases consist of forward contracts entered into to manage the exposure to fluctuations in foreign-currency exchange rates on forecasted purchases of capital-related equipment and services denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the related operating units. These forward contracts were designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges.
Net Investment Hedge

Praxair has designated the €600 million ($754 million as of September 30, 2014) 1.50% Euro-denominated notes due 2020, as a hedge of the net investment position in its European operations. This Euro-denominated debt instrument reduces the company's exposure to changes in the currency exchange rate on investments in foreign subsidiaries with Euro functional currencies. Since the time the Euro-denominated notes were issued in March 2014 through September 30, 2014, exchange rate movements have reduced long-term debt by $74 million, with the offsetting gain shown within the cumulative translation component of AOCI in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Interest Rate Contracts
Outstanding Interest Rate Swaps
At September 30, 2014, Praxair had $875 million notional amount of interest-rate swap agreements outstanding related to the $400 million 3.25% fixed-rate notes that mature in 2015 and to the $475 million 1.25% notes that mature 2018, which effectively convert fixed-rate interest to variable-rate interest. These swap agreements were designated as fair value hedges with the resulting fair value adjustments recognized in earnings along with an equally offsetting charge / benefit to earnings for the changes in the fair value of the underlying debt instrument. At September 30, 2014, $14 million was recognized as an increase in the fair value of these notes ($22 million at December 31, 2013).
Terminated Interest Rate Swap
During 2010, Praxair entered into a $500 million notional amount of interest-rate swap agreement that effectively converted fixed-rate interest to variable-rate interest on the $500 million 2.125% notes that matured in June 2013. This swap agreement was terminated in 2011, and Praxair received a $18 million cash payment. This $18 million gain was recognized in earnings as a reduction to interest expense over the remaining term of the underlying debt. Accordingly, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, $4 million was recognized as a reduction to interest expense. No other periods presented herein were impacted.
Terminated Treasury Rate Locks
The following table summarizes the unrecognized gains (losses) related to terminated treasury rate lock contracts:
 
Year
Terminated
 
Original
Gain /
(Loss)
 
Unrecognized Gain / (Loss) (a)
(Millions of dollars)
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Treasury Rate Locks
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underlying debt instrument:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$500 million 2.20% fixed-rate notes that mature in 2022 (b)
2012
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)
$500 million 3.00% fixed-rate notes that mature in 2021 (b)
2011
 
(11
)
 
(8
)
 
(9
)
$600 million 4.50% fixed-rate notes that mature in 2019 (b)
2009
 
16

 
8

 
10

$500 million 4.625% fixed-rate notes that mature in 2015 (b)
2008
 
(7
)
 
—

 
(1
)
Total - pre-tax
 
 
 
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)
Less: income taxes
 
 
 
 
—

 
1

After- tax amounts
 
 
 
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(1
)
 
(a)
The unrecognized gains / (losses) for the treasury rate locks are shown in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) and are being recognized on a straight line basis to interest expense – net over the term of the underlying debt agreements. Refer to the table below summarizing the impact on the company’s consolidated statements of income and AOCI for current period gain (loss) recognition.
(b)
The notional amount of the treasury rate lock contracts are equal to the underlying debt instrument with the exception of the treasury rate lock contract entered into to hedge the $600 million 4.50% fixed-rate notes that mature in 2019. The notional amount of this contract was $500 million.


15

The following tables summarize the impacts of the company’s derivatives on the consolidated statements of income and AOCI:
 
Amount of Pre-Tax Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Earnings *
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Millions of dollars)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt-related
$
(45
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(16
)
 
$
(10
)
Other balance sheet items
(5
)
 
1

 
(1
)
 
(9
)
Total
$
(50
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(17
)
 
$
(19
)
* The gains (losses) on balance sheet items are offset by gains (losses) recorded on the underlying hedged assets and liabilities. Accordingly, the gains (losses) for the derivatives and the underlying hedged assets and liabilities related to debt items are recorded in the consolidated statements of income as interest expense-net. Other balance sheet items and anticipated net income gains (losses) are recorded in the consolidated statements of income as other income (expenses)-net.

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments **
 
Quarter Ended
 
Amount of Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in AOCI
 
Amount of Gain  (Loss)
Reclassified from AOCI to the Consolidated Statement of
Income
(Millions of dollars)
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forecasted purchases
$
—

 
$
1

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
Nine Months Ended
 
Amount of Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in AOCI
 
Amount of Gain  (Loss)
Reclassified from AOCI to the Consolidated Statement of
Income
(Millions of dollars)
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
September 30,
2013
Currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment hedge
$
(6
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Forecasted purchases
$
—

 
$
1

 
$
—

 
$
—

Total - pre tax
$
(6
)
 
$
1

 
$
—

 
$
—

Less: income taxes
2

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total - Net of Taxes
$
(4
)
 
$
1

 
$
—

 
$
—

**The gains (losses) on net investment hedges are recorded as a component of AOCI within foreign currency translation adjustments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The gains (losses) on forecasted purchases and treasury rate locks are recorded as a component of AOCI within derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. There was no ineffectiveness for these instruments during 2014 or 2013. The gains (losses) on net investment hedges are reclassified to earnings only when the related currency translation adjustments are required to be reclassified, usually upon sale or liquidation of the investment. The gains (losses) for interest rate contracts are reclassified to earnings as interest expense –net on a straight-line basis over the remaining maturity of the underlying debt. Net losses of less than $1 million are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months.

7. Fair Value Disclosures
The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the input to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels as follows:
Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level 3 – inputs that are unobservable (for example cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)


16

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
(Millions of dollars)
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
September 30,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
—

 
—

 
$
18

 
$
26

 
—

 
—

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
—

 
—

 
$
34

 
$
14

 
—

 
—

The fair values of the derivative assets and liabilities are based on market prices obtained from independent brokers or determined using quantitative models that use as their basis readily observable market parameters that are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including third-party pricing services, brokers and market transactions. Investments are marketable securities traded on an exchange.
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term debt, accounts receivable-net, and accounts payable approximate carrying amounts because of the short maturities of these instruments. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for similar issues, which is deemed a level 2 measurement. At September 30, 2014, the estimated fair value of Praxair’s long-term debt portfolio was $8,603 million versus a carrying value of $8,502 million. At December 31, 2013, the estimated fair value of Praxair’s long-term debt portfolio was $7,976 million versus a carrying value of $8,029 million. Differences from carrying amounts are attributable to interest-rate changes subsequent to when the debt was issued.

8. Earnings Per Share – Praxair, Inc. Shareholders
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing Net income – Praxair, Inc. for the period by the weighted average number of Praxair common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing Net income – Praxair, Inc. for the period by the weighted average number of Praxair common shares outstanding and dilutive common stock equivalents, as follows:
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Numerator (Millions of dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income - Praxair, Inc.
$
477

 
$
445

 
$
1,392

 
$
1,281

Denominator (Thousands of shares)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
291,664

 
294,595

 
292,597

 
295,271

Shares earned and issuable under compensation plans
506

 
529

 
506

 
528

Weighted average shares used in basic earnings per share
292,170

 
295,124

 
293,103

 
295,799

Effect of dilutive securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options and awards
3,069

 
3,233

 
3,137

 
3,278

Weighted average shares used in diluted earnings per share
295,239

 
298,357

 
296,240

 
299,077

Basic Earnings Per Share
$
1.63

 
$
1.51

 
$
4.75

 
$
4.33

Diluted Earnings Per Share
$
1.62

 
$
1.49

 
$
4.70

 
$
4.28

There were no antidilutive stock options for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014. There were no antidilutive shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. Stock options of 780 were antidilutive and therefore excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share for nine months ended September 30, 2013.

17

9. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
North
America
 
South
America
 
Europe
 
Asia
 
Surface
Technologies
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
2,117

 
$
166

 
$
743

 
$
24

 
$
144

 
$
3,194

Acquisitions (Note 3)
46

 
4

 
17

 
—

 
4

 
71

Purchase adjustments & other
—

 
—

 
(6
)
 
—

 
5

 
(1
)
Foreign currency translation
(11
)
 
(9
)
 
(50
)
 
—

 
(5
)
 
(75
)
Balance, September 30, 2014
$
2,152

 
$
161

 
$
704

 
$
24

 
$
148

 
$
3,189

Praxair has performed its goodwill impairment tests annually during the second quarter of each year, and historically has determined that the fair value of each of its reporting units was substantially in excess of its carrying value. For the 2014 test completed last quarter, Praxair applied the FASB's updated accounting guidance (refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements of Praxair's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K) which allows the Company to first assess qualitative factors to determine the extent of additional quantitative analysis, if any, that may be required to test goodwill for impairment. Based on the qualitative assessments performed, Praxair concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value and therefore, further quantitative analysis was not required. As a result, no impairment was recorded. There were no indicators of impairment through September 30, 2014.
Changes in the carrying amounts of other intangibles for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
Customer &
License/Use
Agreements
 
Non-compete
Agreements
 
Patents &
Other
 
Total
Cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
661

 
$
31

 
$
43

 
$
735

Additions (Note 3)
42

 
11

 
—

 
53

Foreign currency translation
(10
)
 
—

 
—

 
(10
)
Other *
—

 
(5
)
 
4

 
(1
)
Balance, September 30, 2014
$
693

 
$
37

 
$
47

 
$
777

Less: Accumulated amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
(118
)
 
$
(16
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(139
)
Amortization expense
(27
)
 
(5
)
 
(3
)
 
(35
)
Foreign currency translation
3

 
—

 
—

 
3

Other *
—

 
4

 
—

 
4

Balance, September 30, 2014
$
(142
)
 
$
(17
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(167
)
Net balance at September 30, 2014
$
551

 
$
20

 
$
39

 
$
610

* Other primarily relates to the write-off of fully amortized assets and purchase accounting adjustments.
There are no expected residual values related to these intangible assets. The remaining weighted-average amortization period for intangible assets is approximately 18 years.
Total estimated annual amortization expense is as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
 
Remaining 2014
$
16

2015
48

2016
47

2017
39

2018
35

Thereafter
425

 
$
610


18

10. Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation of $14 million ($10 million after-tax) and $18 million ($12 million after-tax) was recognized during the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Share-based compensation of $42 million ($29 million after-tax) and $52 million ($35 million after-tax) was recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The expense was recorded primarily in selling, general and administrative expenses. There was no share-based compensation cost that was capitalized. For further details regarding Praxair’s share-based compensation arrangements and prior-year grants, refer to Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements of Praxair’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Stock Options
The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $14.62 ($16.31 in 2013) based on the Black-Scholes Options-Pricing model. The decrease in grant date fair value year-over-year is primarily attributable to the decrease in volatility which was partially offset by increases in Praxair's stock price and risk-free interest rate.

The following weighted-average assumptions were used to value the grants in 2014 and 2013 :
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Dividend yield
2.0
%
 
2.2
%
Volatility
15.2
%
 
21.7
%
Risk-free interest rate
1.57
%
 
0.76
%
Expected term years
5

 
5

The following table summarizes option activity under the plans as of September 30, 2014 and changes during the nine-month period then ended (averages are calculated on a weighted basis; life in years; intrinsic value expressed in millions):
 
Number of
Options  (000’s)
 
Average
Exercise Price
 
Average
Remaining
Life
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2014
11,161

 
$
81.42

 
 
 
 
Granted
1,293

 
128.80

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(1,150
)
 
63.14

 
 
 
 
Cancelled or Expired
(83
)
 
109.81

 
 
 
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2014
11,221

 
88.54

 
5.5
 
$
454

Exercisable at September 30, 2014
8,630

 
$
79.33

 
4.5
 
$
429

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the company’s closing stock price of $129.00 as of September 30, 2014 and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding as of that date. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $14 million and $78 million, respectively ($25 million and $93 million during the same time periods in 2013, respectively).
Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $12 million and $73 million ($29 million and $96 million for the same time period in 2013). The cash tax benefit realized from share-based compensation totaled $5 million and $44 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, of which $28 million in excess tax benefits was classified as financing cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 ($9 million and $44 million cash tax benefit for the same periods in 2013 of which $31 million represented excess tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2013).
As of September 30, 2014, $23 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.0 year .
Performance-Based and Restricted Stock Awards
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company granted performance-based stock units to employees which vest principally based on the third anniversary of their grant date. The actual number of shares issued in settlement of a vested award can range from zero to 200 percent of the target number of shares granted based upon the company’s attainment of specified performance targets at the end of a three-year period. Compensation expense related to these awards is recognized over the three-year performance period based on the fair value of the closing market price of the company’s common stock on

19

the date of the grant and the estimated performance that will be achieved. Compensation expense will be adjusted during the three-year performance period based upon the estimated performance levels that will be achieved.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the company also granted restricted stock units to employees. The majority of the restricted stock units vest at the end of a three-year service period. Compensation expense related to the restricted stock units is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
The weighted-average fair value of performance-based stock and restricted stock units granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $121.16 and $122.73, respectively, ($103.46 and $105.53 for the same period in 2013). This is based on the closing market price of Praxair’s common stock on the grant date adjusted for dividends that will not be paid during the vesting period.
The following table summarizes non-vested performance-based and restricted stock award activity as of September 30, 2014 and changes during the nine months then ended (shares based on target amounts, averages are calculated on a weighted basis):
 
Performance-Based
 
Restricted Stock
 
Number  of
Shares
(000’s)
 
Average
Grant  Date
Fair Value
 
Number  of
Shares
(000’s)
 
Average
Grant  Date
Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2014
867

 
$
99.55

 
337

 
$
100.41

Granted*
328

 
121.16

 
90

 
122.73

Vested*
(338
)
 
92.06

 
(107
)
 
95.80

Cancelled
(21
)
 
110.21

 
(14
)
 
103.64

Non-vested at September 30, 2014
836

 
$
109.10

 
306

 
$
108.41


* Amounts for performance-based awards include 49 thousand shares which represent actual shares vested in 2014 in excess of original targeted amounts for 2011 grants.
As of September 30, 2014, based on current estimates of future performance, $45 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to performance-based awards is expected to be recognized through the first quarter of 2017 and $17 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the restricted stock awards is expected to be recognized primarily through the first quarter of 2017.
11. Retirement Programs
The components of net pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions (“OPEB”) costs for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are shown below:
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Pensions
 
OPEB
 
Pensions
 
OPEB
(Millions of dollars)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Service cost
$
13

 
$
14

 
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
39

 
$
42

 
$
3

 
$
3

Interest cost
31

 
28

 
3

 
3

 
93

 
86

 
9

 
9

Expected return on plan assets
(40
)
 
(38
)
 
—

 
—

 
(120
)
 
(114
)
 
—

 
—

Net amortization and deferral
15

 
23

 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
46

 
70

 
(7
)
 
(3
)
Net periodic benefit cost before pension settlement charge
19

 
27

 
1

 
3

 
58

 
84

 
5

 
9

Pension settlement charge (Note 2)
—

 
9

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
9

 
—

 
—

Net periodic benefit cost
$
19

 
$
36

 
$
1

 
$
3

 
$
58

 
$
93

 
$
5

 
$
9

Praxair estimates that 2014 contributions to its pension plans will be in the area of $20 million, of which $14 million have been made through September 30, 2014.

20

12. Commitments and Contingencies
Contingent Liabilities
Praxair is subject to various lawsuits and government investigations that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. These actions are based upon alleged environmental, tax, antitrust and personal injury claims, among others. Praxair has strong defenses in these cases and intends to defend itself vigorously. It is possible that the company may incur losses in connection with some of these actions in excess of accrued liabilities. Management does not anticipate that in the aggregate such losses would have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position or liquidity; however, it is possible that the final outcomes could have a significant impact on the company’s reported results of operations in any given period (see Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements of Praxair’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K).
Significant matters are:
•
During May 2009, the Brazilian government published Law 11941/2009 instituting a new voluntary amnesty program (“Refis Program”) which allowed Brazilian companies to settle certain federal tax disputes at reduced amounts. During the 2009 third quarter, Praxair decided that it was economically beneficial to settle many of its outstanding federal tax disputes and such disputes were enrolled in the Refis Program, subject to final calculation and review by the Brazilian federal government. The Company recorded estimated liabilities based on the terms of the Refis Program. Since 2009, Praxair has been unable to reach final agreement on the calculations and recently initiated litigation against the government in an attempt to resolve certain items. Open issues relate to the following matters: (i) application of cash deposits and net operating loss carryforwards to satisfy obligations, (ii) the amount of tax reductions available under the Refis Program, and (iii) income tax deductibility of payments. Although it is difficult to estimate the timing of resolution of legal matters in Brazil, it is possible that individual disputed matters may be resolved during the next year.
•
At September 30, 2014 the most significant non-income and income tax claims in Brazil, after enrollment in the Refis Program, relate to state VAT tax matters associated with procedural issues and a federal income tax matter where the taxing authorities are challenging the tax rate that should be applied to income generated by a subsidiary company. The total estimated exposure relating to such claims, including interest and penalties, as appropriate, is approximately $190 million. Praxair has not recorded any liabilities related to such claims based on management judgments, after considering judgments and opinions of outside counsel. Because litigation in Brazil historically takes many years to resolve, it is very difficult to estimate the timing of resolution of these matters; however, it is possible that certain of these matters may be resolved within the near term. The company is vigorously defending against the proceedings.
•
On September 1, 2010, CADE (Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense) announced alleged anticompetitive activity on the part of five industrial gas companies in Brazil and imposed fines on all five companies. Originally, CADE imposed a civil fine of R$2.2 billion Brazilian reais (US$898 million) against White Martins, the Brazil-based subsidiary of Praxair, Inc. In response to a motion for clarification, the fine was reduced to R$1.7 billion Brazilian reais (US$694 million) due to a calculation error made by CADE. The amount of the fine is subject to indexation using SELIC. On September 2, 2010, Praxair issued a press release and filed a report on Form 8-K rejecting all claims and stating that the fine represents a gross and arbitrary disregard of Brazilian law.
On October 19, 2010, White Martins filed an annulment petition (“appeal”) with the Federal Court in Brasilia seeking to have the fine against White Martins entirely overturned. In order to suspend payment of the fine pending the completion of the appeal process, Brazilian law required that the company tender a form of guarantee in the amount of the fine as security. Currently, 50% of the guarantee is satisfied by letters of credit with a financial institution and 50% of the guarantee is satisfied by equity of a Brazilian subsidiary.
Praxair strongly believes that the allegations are without merit and that the fine will be entirely overturned during the appeal process. The company further believes that it has strong defenses and will vigorously defend against the allegations and related fine up to such levels of the Federal Courts in Brazil as may be necessary. Because appeals in Brazil historically take many years to resolve, it is very difficult to estimate when the appeal will be finally decided. Based on management judgments, after considering judgments and opinions of outside counsel, no reserve has been recorded for this proceeding as management does not believe that a loss is probable.

21



13. Segments
Sales and operating profit by segment for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are shown below. For a description of Praxair’s operating segments, refer to Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements of Praxair’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
  
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Millions of dollars)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
SALES(a) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
1,639

 
$
1,588

 
$
4,847

 
$
4,597

Europe
385

 
386

 
1,190

 
1,138

South America
523

 
494

 
1,520

 
1,561

Asia
426

 
385

 
1,212

 
1,131

Surface Technologies
171

 
160

 
514

 
488

Total sales
$
3,144

 
$
3,013

 
$
9,283

 
$
8,915

  
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Millions of dollars)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
OPERATING PROFIT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
416

 
$
406

 
$
1,192

 
$
1,145

Europe
71

 
64

 
228

 
195

South America
118

 
115

 
344

 
352

Asia
75

 
67

 
226

 
191

Surface Technologies
31

 
27

 
93

 
84

Segment operating profit
711

 
679

 
2,083

 
1,967

Venezuela currency devaluation (Note 2)
—

 
(9
)
 
—

 
(32
)
Total operating profit
$
711

 
$
670

 
$
2,083

 
$
1,935

 
(a)
Intersegment sales, primarily from North America to other segments, were not significant for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.


22


14. Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Equity
A summary of the changes in total equity for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is provided below:

Quarter Ended September 30,
(Millions of dollars)
2014
 
2013
Activity
Praxair, Inc.
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
Praxair, Inc.
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Balance, beginning of period
$
6,911

 
$
395

 
$
7,306

 
$
5,928

 
$
357

 
$
6,285

Net income (a)
477

 
12

 
489

 
445

 
12

 
457

Other comprehensive income (loss)
(566
)
 
(16
)
 
(582
)
 
96

 
5

 
101

Noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions (reductions) (b)
—

 
4

 
4

 
—

 
—

 
—

Dividends and other capital changes
—

 
(7
)
 
(7
)
 
—

 
(9
)
 
(9
)
Redemption value adjustments
—

 
—

 
—

 
(27
)
 
—

 
(27
)
Dividends to Praxair, Inc. common stock holders ($0.65 per share in 2014 and $0.60 per share in 2013)
(189
)
 
—

 
(189
)
 
(176
)
 
—

 
(176
)
Issuances of common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan
2

 
—

 
2

 
2

 
—

 
2

For employee savings and incentive plans
17

 
—

 
17

 
32

 
—

 
32

Purchases of common stock
(118
)
 
—

 
(118
)
 
(115
)
 
—

 
(115
)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation
4

 
—

 
4

 
7

 
—

 
7

Share-based compensation
14

 
—

 
14

 
18

 
—

 
18

Balance, end of period
$
6,552

 
$
388

 
$
6,940

 
$
6,210

 
$
365

 
$
6,575


23

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Millions of dollars)
2014
 
2013
Activity
Praxair, Inc.
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
Praxair, Inc.
Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Balance, beginning of period
$
6,609

 
$
394

 
$
7,003

 
$
6,064

 
$
357

 
$
6,421

Net income (a)
1,392

 
32

 
1,424

 
1,281

 
31

 
1,312

Other comprehensive loss
(430
)
 
(17
)
 
(447
)
 
(287
)
 
2

 
(285
)
Noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions (reductions) (b)
(24
)
 
7

 
(17
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Dividends and other capital changes
—

 
(28
)
 
(28
)
 
—

 
(25
)
 
(25
)
Redemption value adjustments
(1
)
 
—

 
(1
)
 
(40
)
 
—

 
(40
)
Dividends to Praxair, Inc. common stock holders ($1.95 per share in 2014 and $1.80 per share in 2013)
(570
)
 
—

 
(570
)
 
(531
)
 
—

 
(531
)
Issuances of common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan
5

 
—

 
5

 
5

 
—

 
5

For employee savings and incentive plans
69

 
—

 
69

 
92

 
—

 
92

Purchases of common stock
(568
)
 
—

 
(568
)
 
(458
)
 
—

 
(458
)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation
28

 
—

 
28

 
32

 
—

 
32

Share-based compensation
42

 
—

 
42

 
52

 
—

 
52

Balance, end of period
$
6,552

 
$
388

 
$
6,940

 
$
6,210

 
$
365

 
$
6,575


(a)
Net income for noncontrolling interests excludes Net income related to redeemable noncontrolling interests of $1 million and $9 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 ($5 million and $17 million for the same time periods in 2013, respectively), which is not part of total equity (see redeemable noncontrolling interests section below).
(b)
Praxair increased its ownership in certain consolidated subsidiaries. The difference between the purchase price and the related noncontrolling interests was recorded as a decrease in Praxair's additional paid-in-capital.
The components of AOCI are as follows:
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
(Millions of dollars)
2014
 
2013
Cumulative translation adjustment - net of taxes
 
 
 
North America
$
(514
)
 
$
(315
)
South America
(1,317
)
 
(1,179
)
Europe
(138
)
 
(63
)
Asia
(7
)
 
21

Surface Technologies
8

 
28

 
(1,968
)
 
(1,508
)
Derivatives - net of taxes
(2
)
 
(4
)
Pension / OPEB funded status obligation - net of taxes
(441
)
 
(469
)
 
$
(2,411
)
 
$
(1,981
)

24

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests with redemption features, such as put/sell options, that are not solely within the Company’s control (“redeemable noncontrolling interests”) are reported separately in the consolidated balance sheets at the greater of carrying value or redemption value. For redeemable noncontrolling interests that are not yet exercisable, Praxair calculates the redemption value by accreting the carrying value to the redemption value over the period until exercisable. If the redemption value is greater than the carrying value, any increase is adjusted directly to equity and does not impact net income.
Redeemable noncontrolling interests include Yara Praxair, a joint venture in Scandinavia, and two packaged gas distributors in the United States where the noncontrolling interests have put options. In Scandinavia, the noncontrolling shareholder has the right to sell its shares to Praxair starting in 2015 for a period of 4 years at a formula price. Praxair also obtained the right to purchase the shares held by the noncontrolling shareholder starting in 2017 for a period of 2 years, also at a formula price.
The following is a summary of the changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013: 
(Millions of dollars)
2014
 
2013
Balance, January 1,
$
307

 
$
252

Net income
9

 
17

Distributions to noncontrolling interest
(9
)
 
(9
)
Redemption value adjustments/accretion
1

 
40

Foreign currency translation and other
(6
)
 
(10
)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest *
(112
)
 
—

Balance, September 30,
$
190

 
$
290


* In January 2014, Praxair acquired the redeemable noncontrolling interests related to Praxair Distribution Mid-Atlantic, LLC. The cash payment is shown in the financing section of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows under the caption "Noncontrolling interest transactions and other".

25

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Consolidated Results

Praxair's sales in the third quarter were 4% above the prior year. Excluding negative currency translation effects which reduced overall sales by 1%, sales grew 5% due to volume growth and higher overall pricing. Volume growth of 3% was primarily driven by new project start-ups in North America and Asia. Reported operating profit was 6% above the prior year, and 5% when compared to adjusted 2013 results. Operating profit growth was driven by higher pricing, primarily in North and South America. Reported net income and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") grew 7% and 9%, respectively, versus 2013 results. When compared to the 2013 adjusted results, net income and EPS grew 6% and 7% respectively. EPS grew faster than net income due to a lower number of shares outstanding. Cash flow from operations was strong at $713 million, which was 23% of sales.

Sales grew 4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Excluding negative currency translation effects which reduced overall sales by 2%, sales grew 6% due to volume growth, higher overall pricing and acquisitions. Volume growth in North America and Asia included new project start-ups. Reported operating profit of $2,083 million grew 8% from the prior-year, and 6% when compared to the adjusted 2013 results. Operating profit grew primarily from higher pricing. Net income and EPS grew 9% and 10%, respectively, versus 2013 results. When compared to the 2013 adjusted results, net income and EPS grew 6% and 7% respectively. EPS grew faster than net income due to a lower number of shares outstanding. Cash flow from operations was strong at $2,096 million, which was 23% of sales and 7% above the comparable period in 2013.
Outlook
Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2014 are expected to be in the range of $1.53 to $1.60.
Diluted earnings per share for the full year of 2014 are expected to be in the range of $6.23 to $6.30.
During the fourth quarter, Praxair will offer certain former employees who participate in either of the two U.S. qualified defined pension plans, the option to receive a one-time lump sum payment of their vested pension benefits under the plans rather than receiving lifetime annuity payments of these benefits. Depending on the acceptance rate of the lump sum payment option, a settlement of the related pension obligation could be triggered. As a result a pre-tax pension settlement charge of up to $15 million could be required to be recorded during the fourth quarter. Any potential pension settlement charge is not included in the above earnings guidance.
For the full year of 2014, Praxair expects sales in the area of $12.3 to $12.4 billion. Full-year capital expenditures are expected to be about $1.7 billion.

The company’s core business is to build, own, and operate industrial gas plants in order to supply atmospheric and process gases to customers. As such, Praxair believes that its backlog is one indicator of future sales growth. At September 30, 2014, Praxair’s backlog of 25 large projects under construction was $1.9 billion. This represents the total estimated capital cost of large plants under construction. About a third of this project backlog is in North America and approximately a third is in Asia, which includes projects in China, India and Korea. The rest is in Europe and South America. These plants will supply customers in the energy, chemical, manufacturing, electronics and metals markets.
Praxair provides quarterly updates on operating results, material trends that may affect financial performance, and financial earnings guidance via quarterly earnings releases and investor teleconferences. These updates are available on the company’s website, www.praxair.com, but are not incorporated herein.


26

The following table provides summary data for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
  
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
Reported Amounts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
$
3,144

 
$
3,013

 
4
 %
 
$
9,283

 
$
8,915

 
4
 %
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
$
1,780

 
$
1,697

 
5
 %
 
$
5,273

 
$
5,045

 
5
 %
Gross margin (a)
$
1,364

 
$
1,316

 
4
 %
 
$
4,010

 
$
3,870

 
4
 %
As a percent of sales
43.4
%
 
43.7
%
 
 
 
43.2
%
 
43.4
%
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
$
327

 
$
336

 
(3
)%
 
$
988

 
$
1,017

 
(3
)%
As a percent of sales
10.4
%
 
11.2
%
 
 
 
10.6
%
 
11.4
%
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
301

 
$
281

 
7
 %
 
$
879

 
$
822

 
7
 %
Venezuela currency devaluation and other charges (b)
$
—

 
$
9

 


 
$
—

 
$
32

 


Other income (expense) - net
$
—

 
$
4

 
 
 
$
12

 
$
8

 
 
Operating profit
$
711

 
$
670

 
6
 %
 
$
2,083

 
$
1,935

 
8
 %
As a percent of sales
22.6
%
 
22.2
%
 
 
 
22.4
%
 
21.7
%
 
 
Interest expense - net
$
45

 
$
41

 
10
 %
 
$
134

 
$
122

 
10
 %
Effective tax rate
28.1
%
 
27.8
%
 
 
 
28.0
%
 
28.3
%
 
 
Income from equity investments
$
11

 
$
8

 
38
 %
 
$
30

 
$
29

 
3
 %
Noncontrolling interests
$
(13
)
 
$
(17
)
 
(24
)%
 
$
(41
)
 
$
(48
)
 
(15
)%
Net income - Praxair, Inc.
$
477

 
$
445

 
7
 %
 
$
1,392

 
$
1,281

 
9
 %
Diluted earnings per share
$
1.62

 
$
1.49

 
9
 %
 
$
4.70

 
$
4.28

 
10
 %
Diluted shares outstanding
295,239

 
298,357

 
(1
)%
 
296,240

 
299,077

 
(1
)%
2013 Adjusted Amounts (c)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit
$
711

 
$
679

 
5
 %
 
$
2,083

 
$
1,967

 
6
 %
As a percent of sales
22.6
%
 
22.5
%
 
 
 
22.4
%
 
22.1
%
 
 
Effective tax rate
28.1
%
 
27.9
%
 
 
 
28.0
%
 
28.0
%
 
 
Net income - Praxair, Inc.
$
477

 
$
451

 
6
 %
 
$
1,392

 
$
1,310

 
6
 %
Diluted earnings per share
$
1.62

 
$
1.51

 
7
 %
 
$
4.70

 
$
4.38

 
7
 %
 
(a)
Gross margin excludes depreciation and amortization expense.
(b)
See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
(c)
Adjusted amounts are non-GAAP measures which exclude the impact of the Venezuela currency devaluation in the first quarter of 2013 and the pension settlement charge in the third quarter of 2013 (see Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). A reconciliation of reported amounts to adjusted amounts can be found in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.

27

Results of Operations
The changes in consolidated sales and operating profit compared to the prior year are attributable to the following:
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
Factors Contributing to Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volume
3
 %
 
1
 %
 
3
 %
 
1
 %
Price
2
 %
 
7
 %
 
2
 %
 
8
 %
Cost pass-through
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
Currency
(1
)%
 
(1
)%
 
(2
)%
 
(2
)%
Acquisitions/divestitures
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
1
 %
 
1
 %
Other
—
 %
 
(1
)%
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
Reported
4
 %
 
6
 %
 
4
 %
 
8
 %
Venezuela currency devaluation and other charges
—
 %
 
(1
)%
 
—
 %
 
(2
)%
Adjusted
4
 %
 
5
 %
 
4
 %
 
6
 %
The following tables provide sales by end-market and distribution method:
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Organic Sales*
 
2014
 
2013
 
Organic Sales*
Sales by End Markets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manufacturing
24
%
 
23
%
 
6
 %
 
24
%
 
24
%
 
3
%
Metals
17
%
 
17
%
 
3
 %
 
17
%
 
18
%
 
4
%
Energy
13
%
 
13
%
 
3
 %
 
13
%
 
12
%
 
8
%
Chemicals
10
%
 
11
%
 
—
 %
 
10
%
 
10
%
 
5
%
Electronics
7
%
 
8
%
 
1
 %
 
7
%
 
8
%
 
—
%
Healthcare
8
%
 
8
%
 
8
 %
 
8
%
 
8
%
 
4
%
Food & Beverage
8
%
 
8
%
 
8
 %
 
8
%
 
8
%
 
7
%
Aerospace
3
%
 
3
%
 
(3
)%
 
3
%
 
3
%
 
—
%
Other
10
%
 
9
%
 
19
 %
 
10
%
 
9
%
 
11
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 *    Excludes impact of currency, natural gas/precious metals cost pass-through and acquisitions/divestitures.
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% of Sales
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Sales by Distribution Method**
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On- Site
29
%
 
28
%
 
29
%
 
27
%
Merchant
34
%
 
34
%
 
34
%
 
34
%
Packaged Gas
29
%
 
29
%
 
29
%
 
29
%
Other
8
%
 
9
%
 
8
%
 
10
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
** Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Sales grew $131 million, or 4%, in the third quarter ended September 30, 2014 versus the respective 2013 period. Underlying sales grew 5% from higher pricing and volume growth driven by new project start-ups primarily in North America and Asia. Sales growth was strongest to the manufacturing, healthcare and food & beverage end markets. For the nine-month period sales grew $368 million, or 4%. Underlying sales grew 5% from higher pricing, and volume growth primarily in North

28

America and Asia. Acquisitions, including NuCO2 and Dominion Technology Gases, acquired in 2013, contributed 1% to sales growth in the nine-month period.

Gross margin increased $48 million, or 4%, for the quarter and increased $140 million, or 4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 versus the respective 2013 periods primarily due to higher sales. Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization in both the quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 included a $9 million benefit related to a change in accounting principle (see notes 1 and 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SGA") decreased $9 million, or 3%, in the quarter and decreased $29 million, or 3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 versus the respective 2013 periods. The decrease in the third quarter was primarily due to lower costs, including incentive compensation, which decreased SGA by $8 million and currency effects which reduced SGA by $3 million, which were partially offset by an increase of $2 million each due to acquisitions and project start-ups. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily due to lower costs, including incentive compensation, which decreased SGA by $24 million and currency effects which reduced SGA by $20 million, which were partially offset by an increase of $13 million due to acquisitions. As a result, SGA as a percent of sales was lower as compared to the prior year in both the quarter and nine-month periods.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $20 million, or 7%, for the third quarter and increased $57 million, or 7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 versus the respective 2013 periods primarily due to new project start-ups.

Other income (expense) – net was zero in the third quarter, compared to a $4 million benefit in the prior-year quarter. The 2013 quarter included gains on assets sales. For the year-to-date period, other income was a $12 million benefit, compared to a $8 million benefit in the prior-year. Other income was higher for the year-to-date period primarily due to higher partnership income and an asset sale in South America.

Operating profit increased $41 million, or 6%, for the third quarter of 2014 versus the respective 2013 period and increased 5% versus 2013 adjusted operating profit. For the nine-month period operating profit increased $148 million, or 8% versus the respective 2013 period, and 6% versus 2013 adjusted operating profit. The increase in operating profit in both periods was primarily driven by higher gross margin and lower SGA expenses, partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization. A discussion of operating profit by segment is included in the segment discussion that follows.

Interest expense-net increased $4 million, or 10%, for the quarter and $12 million, or 10%, for the nine months versus the respective 2013 periods. Lower average interest rates reduced interest expense by $6 million and $26 million for the quarter and nine month periods, respectively. However, this decrease was more than offset by the impact of lower capitalized interest which increased interest expense by $8 million and $27 million for the quarter and nine month periods, respectively, and higher debt levels which also increased interest expense by $2 million and $11 million for the quarter and nine month periods, respectively.

The effective tax rate was approximately 28% for all periods presented.

Praxair’s significant sources of equity income are in China, Italy, and the Middle East. For the quarter, equity income increased $3 million primarily from investments in Asia and for the nine months equity income increased $1 million, primarily from investments in Europe, versus the respective 2013 periods.

At September 30, 2014, non-controlling interests consisted primarily of non-controlling shareholders' investments in Asia (primarily China and India), Europe (primarily Italy and Scandinavia), and North America (primarily within the US packaged gas business). Non-controlling interests decreased $4 million for the quarter and $7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 versus the respective periods in 2013 due primarily to the acquisition of the noncontrolling interest in a US packaged gas business in the first quarter of 2014.

Net income-Praxair, Inc. increased $32 million, or 7%, and $111 million, or 9% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, versus the respective 2013 periods. Net income increased 6% in the quarter and nine-month periods from 2013 adjusted amounts, primarily due to higher operating profit partially offset by higher interest expense.

EPS of $1.62 for the quarter increased 9% from the prior-year on a reported basis, and increased 7% from 2013 adjusted EPS. For the nine-month period EPS of $4.70 increased 10% from 2013 reported EPS, and 7% from adjusted EPS. These increases for both the quarter and nine-month periods versus the respective prior-year periods are attributable to higher net income and reductions in the number of diluted shares outstanding as a result of the company's net repurchases of common stock.


29

Other Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive loss for the third quarter of $588 million results from negative currency translation adjustments of $609 million, partially offset by a $21 million positive adjustment related to the funded status of retirement obligations. The translation adjustments reflect the impact of translating local currency foreign subsidiary financial statements to U.S. dollars (see “Currency” section of the MD&A for exchange rates). The negative translation adjustments in the quarter resulted primarily from the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against most major currencies. The largest currency movements were $257 million in South America, principally related to Brazil, $204 million in North America related to Canada and Mexico, and $61 million in Europe related to Germany, Italy and Spain. The remaining adjustments relate to Asia and Surface Technologies.

Other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 of $453 million includes negative currency translation adjustments of $483 million, partially offset by a positive adjustment of $28 million related to the funded status of retirement obligations. The negative translation adjustment resulted primarily from currency movements of $138 million in South America, principally related to Brazil, $199 million in North America related to Canada and Mexico, and $75 million in Europe related to Germany, Italy and Spain. The remaining adjustments relate to Asia and Surface Technologies.

Segment Discussion
The following summary of sales and operating profit by segment provides a basis for the discussion that follows.
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Dollar amounts in millions)
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
SALES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
1,639

 
$
1,588

 
3
 %
 
$
4,847

 
$
4,597

 
5
 %
Europe
385

 
386

 
—
 %
 
1,190

 
1,138

 
5
 %
South America
523

 
494

 
6
 %
 
1,520

 
1,561

 
(3
)%
Asia
426

 
385

 
11
 %
 
1,212

 
1,131

 
7
 %
Surface Technologies
171

 
160

 
7
 %
 
514

 
488

 
5
 %
 
$
3,144

 
$
3,013

 
4
 %
 
$
9,283

 
$
8,915

 
4
 %
OPERATING PROFIT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
North America
$
416

 
$
406

 
2
 %
 
$
1,192

 
$
1,145

 
4
 %
Europe
71

 
64

 
11
 %
 
228

 
195

 
17
 %
South America
118

 
115

 
3
 %
 
344

 
352

 
(2
)%
Asia
75

 
67

 
12
 %
 
226

 
191

 
18
 %
Surface Technologies
31

 
27

 
15
 %
 
93

 
84

 
11
 %
Segment operating profit
711

 
679

 
5
 %
 
2,083

 
1,967

 
6
 %
Venezuela currency devaluation (Note 2)
—

 
(9
)
 
 
 
—

 
(32
)
 
 
Total operating profit
$
711

 
$
670

 
6
 %
 
$
2,083

 
$
1,935

 
8
 %


30

North America
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
Sales
$
1,639

 
$
1,588

 
3
%
 
$
4,847

 
$
4,597

 
5
%
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
888

 
850

 
 
 
2,654

 
2,465

 
 
Gross margin
751

 
738

 
 
 
2,193

 
2,132

 
 
Operating expenses
181

 
186

 
 
 
546

 
569

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
154

 
146

 
 
 
455

 
418

 
 
Operating profit
$
416

 
$
406

 
2
%
 
$
1,192

 
$
1,145

 
4
%
Margin %
25.4
%
 
25.6
%
 
 
 
24.6
%
 
24.9
%
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
Factors Contributing to Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volume
1
 %
 
(1
)%
 
3
 %
 
—
 %
Price
1
 %
 
4
 %
 
1
 %
 
5
 %
Cost pass-through
1
 %
 
—
 %
 
1
 %
 
—
 %
Currency
(1
)%
 
(1
)%
 
(1
)%
 
(2
)%
Acquisitions/divestitures
1
 %
 
—
 %
 
1
 %
 
1
 %
Other
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
3
 %
 
2
 %
 
5
 %
 
4
 %
The following tables provide sales by end-market and distribution method:
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Organic Sales
 
2014
 
2013
 
Organic Sales
Sales by End Markets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manufacturing
29
%
 
29
%
 
4
 %
 
29
%
 
30
%
 
3
 %
Metals
12
%
 
12
%
 
4
 %
 
12
%
 
13
%
 
1
 %
Energy
20
%
 
18
%
 
2
 %
 
20
%
 
18
%
 
14
 %
Chemicals
10
%
 
10
%
 
2
 %
 
10
%
 
10
%
 
3
 %
Electronics
4
%
 
6
%
 
14
 %
 
4
%
 
5
%
 
3
 %
Healthcare
7
%
 
7
%
 
5
 %
 
7
%
 
7
%
 
2
 %
Food & Beverage
9
%
 
9
%
 
4
 %
 
8
%
 
8
%
 
3
 %
Aerospace
1
%
 
1
%
 
(12
)%
 
1
%
 
1
%
 
(3
)%
Other
8
%
 
8
%
 
11
 %
 
9
%
 
8
%
 
10
 %
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% of Sales
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Sales by Distribution Method
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On- Site
30
%
 
30
%
 
31
%
 
28
%
Merchant
36
%
 
36
%
 
36
%
 
36
%
Packaged Gas
32
%
 
32
%
 
32
%
 
34
%
Other
2
%
 
2
%
 
1
%
 
2
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%

31

The North America segment includes Praxair's industrial gases operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
North America segment sales increased $51 million, or 3%, in the quarter as compared to the prior year and 4% ex-currency translation impacts. Underlying sales growth was 2%, driven primarily by higher volumes and price. Sales grew to the manufacturing, metals, food & beverage and healthcare end-markets. Higher sales to energy markets in the U.S. and Canada were partially offset by weaker sales in Mexico. Acquisitions of packaged gas distributors added 1% growth during the current quarter. Higher cost pass-through, primarily higher natural gas prices passed through to hydrogen customers, increased sales by 1%. For the year-to-date period, sales grew $250 million, or 5%. Underlying sales growth of 4% came primarily from higher pricing and higher volumes driven by new project start-ups. Cost pass-through added 1% growth. Packaged gases sales were higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to growth in the U.S. business. Packaged gases sales are lower as a percentage of total sales for the segment as compared to the prior-year period, due to the contribution of new projects which increased the percentage of on-site sales.
North America segment operating profit increased $10 million, or 2%, in the quarter as compared to the prior year and 3% ex-currency translation impacts. The increase was primarily driven by higher pricing. Depreciation and amortization increased $8 million quarter over quarter primarily due primarily to acquisitions and new project start-ups. Operating profit increased $47 million, or 4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 versus the respective 2013 period and 6% ex-currency, primarily due to higher pricing. Depreciation and amortization increased $37 million for the nine-month period primarily due to acquisitions and project start-ups. The 2014 quarter and nine-month periods included a $9 million benefit related to a change in accounting principle for LIFO inventories (see notes 1 and 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). The 2013 quarter and nine-month periods included a $23 million benefit related to a contract settlement in the United States.
Europe
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance %
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance %
Sales
$
385

 
$
386

 
—
 %
 
$
1,190

 
$
1,138

 
5
%
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
218

 
224

 
 
 
666

 
653

 
 
Gross margin
167

 
162

 
 
 
524

 
485

 
 
Operating expenses
53

 
55

 
 
 
168

 
165

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
43

 
43

 
 
 
128

 
125

 
 
Operating profit
$
71

 
$
64

 
11
 %
 
$
228

 
$
195

 
17
%
Margin %
18.4
%
 
16.6
%
 
 
 
19.2
%
 
17.1
%
 
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
Factors Contributing to Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volume
1
 %
 
7
%
 
1
 %
 
5
%
Price
1
 %
 
4
%
 
1
 %
 
6
%
Cost pass-through
(1
)%
 
—
%
 
(1
)%
 
—
%
Currency
(1
)%
 
—
%
 
2
 %
 
3
%
Acquisitions/divestitures
—
 %
 
—
%
 
2
 %
 
3
%
Other
—
 %
 
—
%
 
—
 %
 
—
%
 
—
 %
 
11
%
 
5
 %
 
17
%


32

The following tables provide sales by end-market and distribution method:
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Organic Sales
 
2014
 
2013
 
Organic Sales
Sales by End Markets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manufacturing
21
%
 
22
%
 
1
 %
 
22
%
 
22
%
 
4
 %
Metals
16
%
 
15
%
 
7
 %
 
16
%
 
16
%
 
2
 %
Energy
7
%
 
7
%
 
4
 %
 
7
%
 
5
%
 
(1
)%
Chemicals
15
%
 
16
%
 
(11
)%
 
15
%
 
17
%
 
(8
)%
Electronics
7
%
 
7
%
 
1
 %
 
7
%
 
7
%
 
—
 %
Healthcare
11
%
 
11
%
 
3
 %
 
11
%
 
11
%
 
(1
)%
Food & Beverage
10
%
 
10
%
 
5
 %
 
9
%
 
9
%
 
7
 %
Aerospace
—
%
 
1
%
 
(42
)%
 
—
%
 
1
%
 
(15
)%
Other
13
%
 
11
%
 
4
 %
 
13
%
 
12
%
 
3
 %
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% of Sales
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Sales by Distribution Method
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On- Site
18
%
 
19
%
 
18
%
 
20
%
Merchant
35
%
 
34
%
 
35
%
 
34
%
Packaged Gas
43
%
 
43
%
 
43
%
 
42
%
Other
4
%
 
4
%
 
4
%
 
4
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
Europe segment sales in third quarter were relatively flat as compared to prior-year quarter. Sales excluding unfavorable currency and lower cost pass-through grew 2% for the quarter from moderately higher volumes and pricing. Volumes were higher in most countries. Sales growth was driven by metals, food & beverage, healthcare and manufacturing end-markets. For the nine-month period sales increased $52 million, or 5%, versus 2013. Excluding the impact of cost pass-through and currency, period sales increased 4% from the prior year. The increase was primarily due to an acquisition in Italy and moderately higher volumes and pricing.
Europe segment operating profit increased by $7 million, or 11% quarter-over-quarter, due to higher gross margin driven by higher pricing and productivity gains. For the nine-month period operating profit increased by $33 million, or 17% from 2013. Excluding currency impacts, the increase in operating profit was primarily from higher pricing, higher volumes and an acquisition in Italy.
South America
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
Sales
$
523

 
$
494

 
6
%
 
$
1,520

 
$
1,561

 
(3
)%
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
287

 
271

 
 
 
842

 
867

 
 
Gross margin
236

 
223

 
 
 
678

 
694

 
 
Operating expenses
72

 
65

 
 
 
199

 
205

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
46

 
43

 
 
 
135

 
137

 
 
Operating profit
$
118

 
$
115

 
3
%
 
$
344

 
$
352

 
(2
)%
Margin %
22.6
%
 
23.3
%
 
 
 
22.6
%
 
22.5
%
 
 


33

 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
Factors Contributing to Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volume
3
 %
 
(1
)%
 
1
 %
 
(3
)%
Price
5
 %
 
19
 %
 
4
 %
 
19
 %
Cost pass-through
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
Currency
(2
)%
 
(2
)%
 
(8
)%
 
(9
)%
Acquisitions/divestitures
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
Other
—
 %
 
(13
)%
 
—
 %
 
(9
)%
 
6
 %
 
3
 %
 
(3
)%
 
(2
)%
The following tables provide sales by end-market and distribution method:
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
Organic Sales
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
Organic Sales
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
Sales by End Markets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manufacturing
22
%
 
21
%
 
10
 %
 
21
%
 
22
%
 
3
 %
Metals
25
%
 
28
%
 
(5
)%
 
28
%
 
29
%
 
2
 %
Energy
2
%
 
2
%
 
25
 %
 
2
%
 
2
%
 
(53
)%
Chemicals
9
%
 
9
%
 
8
 %
 
9
%
 
9
%
 
47
 %
Electronics
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
 %
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
 %
Healthcare
18
%
 
17
%
 
14
 %
 
17
%
 
17
%
 
9
 %
Food & Beverage
13
%
 
12
%
 
18
 %
 
13
%
 
11
%
 
17
 %
Aerospace
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
 %
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
—

Other
11
%
 
11
%
 
7
 %
 
10
%
 
10
%
 
(3
)%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% of Sales
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Sales by Distribution Method
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On- Site
25
%
 
24
%
 
26
%
 
25
%
Merchant
43
%
 
43
%
 
42
%
 
43
%
Packaged Gas
30
%
 
30
%
 
29
%
 
31
%
Other
2
%
 
3
%
 
3
%
 
1
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
South America segment sales in the third quarter increased $29 million or 6% versus the prior-year quarter. Excluding unfavorable currency translation impacts of 2%, sales grew 8% primarily from higher pricing. Sales growth came from the manufacturing, healthcare and food and beverage end-markets. For the nine-month period sales decreased $41 million, or 3% from 2013. Sales growth excluding negative currency impacts was 5% due primarily to higher pricing.
Segment operating profit increased $3 million, or 3%, in the third quarter. For the nine month period operating profit decreased $8 million, or 2%. Excluding negative currency effects, operating profit increased 5% in the third quarter due to higher pricing partially offset by cost inflation. On-site volumes were lower than prior year, while merchant and packaged gas volumes remained stable with prior year. Excluding negative currency effects, operating profit increased 7% for the nine-month period due to higher price, partially offset by cost inflation.
Refer to the "Currency" section of this Management's Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of the currency environment in Venezuela.

34

Asia
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
Sales
$
426

 
$
385

 
11
%
 
$
1,212

 
$
1,131

 
7
%
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
278

 
249

 
 
 
779

 
745

 
 
Gross margin
148

 
136

 
 
 
433

 
386

 
 
Operating expenses
26

 
30

 
 
 
79

 
84

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
47

 
39

 
 
 
128

 
111

 
 
Operating profit
$
75

 
$
67

 
12
%
 
$
226

 
$
191

 
18
%
Margin %
17.6
%
 
17.4
%
 
 
 
18.6
%
 
16.9
%
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
Factors Contributing to Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volume / Sale of Equipment
10
 %
 
1
%
 
8
 %
 
7
%
Price
1
 %
 
4
%
 
1
 %
 
6
%
Cost pass-through
(1
)%
 
—
%
 
(1
)%
 
—
%
Currency
1
 %
 
1
%
 
(1
)%
 
—
%
Acquisitions/divestitures
—
 %
 
—
%
 
—
 %
 
—
%
Other
—
 %
 
6
%
 
—
 %
 
5
%
 
11
 %
 
12
%
 
7
 %
 
18
%
The following tables provide sales by end-market and distribution method:
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
Organic Sales
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
Organic Sales
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
Sales by End Markets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manufacturing
11
%
 
10
%
 
21
 %
 
10
%
 
11
%
 
(1
)%
Metals
28
%
 
28
%
 
8
 %
 
28
%
 
27
%
 
13
 %
Energy
2
%
 
3
%
 
(8
)%
 
2
%
 
2
%
 
54
 %
Chemicals
11
%
 
14
%
 
(3
)%
 
12
%
 
13
%
 
(2
)%
Electronics
29
%
 
33
%
 
(6
)%
 
31
%
 
34
%
 
—
 %
Healthcare
1
%
 
1
%
 
—
 %
 
1
%
 
1
%
 
14
 %
Food & Beverage
2
%
 
2
%
 
—
 %
 
2
%
 
2
%
 
(2
)%
Aerospace
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
 %
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
 %
Other
16
%
 
9
%
 
86
 %
 
14
%
 
10
%
 
45
 %
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% of Sales
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Sales by Distribution Method
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On- Site
54
%
 
48
%
 
51
%
 
47
%
Merchant
27
%
 
28
%
 
28
%
 
29
%
Packaged Gas
11
%
 
12
%
 
12
%
 
11
%
Other
8
%
 
12
%
 
9
%
 
13
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%

35

Asia segment sales increased $41 million, or 11%, in the third quarter as compared to the prior year. Volume growth of 10% came from new project start-ups in India and Korea and included $29 million related to the sale of equipment to a joint venture in China. Higher pricing contributed to a 1% increase in sales and was primarily due to higher helium pricing. Cost pass-through related to the contractual pass-through of precious metals and power costs decreased sales by 1%, with minimal impact on operating profit. By end-market, the strongest sales growth came from metals and manufacturing. The sale of equipment in China coupled with higher on-site volumes in India and Korea accounted for the increase in on-site sales as a percentage of total segment sales. For the year-to-date period, sales increased $81 million, or 7%. Volume growth of 8% was primarily driven by new project start-ups in China, India and Korea and included $47 million related to the sale of equipment which is shown within the other end-market.
Asia segment operating profit increased $8 million, or 12% for the third quarter 2014 as compared to the prior year. Higher volumes and pricing resulted in a 5% increase. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $8 million as compared to the prior-year quarter primarily due to new plant start-ups. Operating profit increased $35 million, or 18%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the prior year. Higher volumes and pricing resulted in a 13% increase. The 2013 quarter and nine-month periods included a benefit from the settlement of a prior-year receivable for $8 million in China ($3 million after-tax and noncontrolling interest). Lower operating expenses contributed to the increase in operating profit for both periods.
Surface Technologies
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
 
2014
 
2013
 
Variance
Sales
$
171

 
$
160

 
7
%
 
$
514

 
$
488

 
5
%
Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
109

 
103

 
 
 
332

 
315

 
 
Gross margin
62

 
57

 
 
 
182

 
173

 
 
Operating expenses
20

 
20

 
 
 
56

 
58

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
11

 
10

 
 
 
33

 
31

 
 
Operating profit
$
31

 
$
27

 
15
%
 
$
93

 
$
84

 
11
%
Margin %
18.1
%
 
16.9
%
 
 
 
18.1
%
 
17.2
%
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 vs. 2013
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
 
Sales
 
Operating Profit
Factors Contributing to Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volume/Price
3
 %
 
11
 %
 
1
%
 
5
%
Cost pass-through
—
 %
 
—
 %
 
—
%
 
—
%
Currency
1
 %
 
1
 %
 
1
%
 
1
%
Acquisitions/divestitures
(1
)%
 
(1
)%
 
—
%
 
—
%
Other*
4
 %
 
4
 %
 
3
%
 
5
%
 
7
 %
 
15
 %
 
5
%
 
11
%

* Other includes business transfers.

36

The following table provides sales by end-market:
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
 
% of Sales
 
% Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Organic Sales
 
2014
 
2013
 
Organic Sales
Sales by End Markets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manufacturing
13
%
 
14
%
 
—
%
 
13
%
 
13
%
 
1
%
Metals
8
%
 
8
%
 
—
%
 
8
%
 
8
%
 
6
%
Energy
28
%
 
28
%
 
10
%
 
28
%
 
28
%
 
—
%
Chemicals
3
%
 
2
%
 
26
%
 
2
%
 
2
%
 
—
%
Electronics
—
%
 
1
%
 
—
%
 
1
%
 
1
%
 
—
%
Healthcare
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
Food & Beverage
3
%
 
2
%
 
16
%
 
3
%
 
3
%
 
5
%
Aerospace
34
%
 
35
%
 
3
%
 
33
%
 
34
%
 
2
%
Other
11
%
 
10
%
 
9
%
 
12
%
 
11
%
 
12
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
 
Surface Technologies segment sales increased $11 million, or 7%, in the quarter versus the prior-year period. Underlying sales increased 3% primarily from higher sales to the energy and aerospace end-markets. Currency increased sales by 1% primarily due to a stronger British pound versus the U.S. dollar. For the nine-month period, underlying sales increased 1% also due to higher sales to aerospace and industrial customers.

Surface Technologies segment operating profit increased $4 million, or 15%, in the third quarter primarily due to higher pricing and volume. Operating profit increased $9 million, or 11%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 versus the respective 2013 periods, primarily from higher pricing and productivity gains which more than offset cost inflation.

37

Currency
The results of Praxair’s non-U.S. operations are translated to the company’s reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, from the functional currencies. For most foreign operations, Praxair uses the local currency as its functional currency. There is inherent variability and unpredictability in the relationship of these functional currencies to the U.S. dollar and such currency movements may materially impact Praxair’s results of operations in any given period.
To help understand the reported results, the following is a summary of the significant currencies underlying Praxair’s consolidated results and the exchange rates used to translate the financial statements (rates of exchange expressed in units of local currency per U.S. dollar):
 
 
Percentage of YTD 2014 Consolidated Sales (a)
 
Exchange Rate for
Income Statement
 
Exchange Rate for
Balance Sheet
 
Year-To-Date Average
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
Currency
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Brazilian real
13
%
 
2.29

 
2.11

 
2.45

 
2.34

Euro
12
%
 
0.74

 
0.76

 
0.79

 
0.73

Canadian dollar
8
%
 
1.09

 
1.02

 
1.12

 
1.06

Mexican peso
6
%
 
13.12

 
12.67

 
13.43

 
13.04

Chinese yuan
6
%
 
6.17

 
6.18

 
6.14

 
6.05

Indian rupee
3
%
 
60.73

 
57.18

 
61.76

 
61.80

Korean won
3
%
 
1,042

 
1,105

 
1,055

 
1,050

Norwegian krone
1
%
 
6.11

 
5.81

 
6.43

 
6.07

Singapore dollar
<1%

 
1.26

 
1.25

 
1.28

 
1.26

Argentine peso
<1%

 
7.97

 
5.27

 
8.43

 
6.52

Colombian peso
<1%

 
1,942

 
1,853

 
2,022

 
1,927

Russian ruble
<1%

 
35.43

 
31.58

 
39.60

 
32.87

Thailand bhat
<1%

 
32.40

 
30.36

 
32.43

 
32.71

Venezuelan bolivar fuerte (b)
<1%

 
6.30

 
5.87

 
6.30

 
6.30

 
(a)
Certain Surface Technologies segment sales are included in European, Indian and Brazilian sales.

(b)
Effective March 24, 2014, the Venezuelan government introduced a new exchange control market-based mechanism (referred to as “SICAD 2”) which may allow companies to obtain U.S. dollars for any purpose, including dividend remittances. Through September 30, 2014, SICAD 2 market-based transactions were limited and it is not clear whether the Company will be able to exchange Venezuelan bolivar fuerte ("VEF") to U.S. dollars to pay its foreign denominated obligations and/or to make dividend and royalty remittances. Therefore, Praxair has continued to use the official 6.3 exchange rate for remeasurement purposes and will continue to monitor current developments. At September 30, 2014 the SICAD 2 rate was 49.99 VEF per U.S. dollar. In Venezuela, Praxair’s 2014 year-to-date sales were approximately $84 million and at September 30, 2014 Praxair’s net asset position was approximately $127 million, including $55 million of VEF denominated cash. If the VEF devalued from the current official 6.3 rate or if the Company determined that it was more appropriate to use another exchange rate for translation purposes, it would result in a charge to earnings in the period of devaluation. Based on its September 30, 2014 balance sheet, Praxair estimates that it would incur a pre-tax charge of approximately $12 million for every 10% devaluation of the VEF versus the U.S. dollar.




38

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Other Financial Data
The following selected cash flow information provides a basis for the discussion that follows:
(Millions of dollars)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR):
 
 
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Net income - Praxair, Inc. plus depreciation and amortization
$
2,271

 
$
2,103

Noncontrolling interests
41

 
48

Net income plus depreciation and amortization (including noncontrolling interests)
2,312

 
2,151

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Venezuela currency devaluation (a) 
—

 
23

Deferred income taxes
(32
)
 
88

Working capital
(181
)
 
(238
)
Pension contributions
(14
)
 
(48
)
Other - net
11

 
(23
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
2,096

 
$
1,953

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(1,207
)
 
(1,504
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(191
)
 
(1,311
)
Divestitures and asset sales
86

 
65

Net cash used for investing activities
$
(1,312
)
 
$
(2,750
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Debt increases (reductions) - net
394

 
1,670

Issuances (purchases) of common stock - net
(477
)
 
(350
)
Cash dividends - Praxair, Inc. shareholders
(570
)
 
(531
)
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation
28

 
31

Noncontrolling interest transactions and other
(123
)
 
(24
)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities
$
(748
)
 
$
796

 
(a)
See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Cash Flow from Operations
Cash provided by operations of $2,096 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased $143 million, or 7%, versus 2013. The increase was primarily due to higher net income plus depreciation and amortization expense.
Praxair estimates that total 2014 contributions to its pension plans will be in the area of $20 million, of which $14 million have been made through September 30, 2014. At a minimum, Praxair contributes to its pension plans to comply with local regulatory requirements (e.g., ERISA in the United States). Discretionary contributions in excess of the local minimum requirements are made based on many factors, including long-term projections of the plans' funded status, the economic environment, potential risk of overfunding, pension insurance costs and alternative uses of the cash. Changes to these factors can impact the amount and timing of discretionary contributions from year to year.
Investing
Net cash used for investing of $1,312 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $1,438 million versus 2013 primarily due to lower acquisition expenditures, primarily the acquisition of NuCO2 in 2013.
Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $1,207 million, $297 million lower than the prior year. Capital expenditures related primarily to the construction of large growth projects.

39

Acquisitions of $191 million included the acquisition of an industrial gases business in Italy and packaged gas businesses in North and South America. Acquisitions in the prior-year period of $1,311 were primarily the acquisition of NuCO2 in North America. (see Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 divestitures and asset sales were $86 million, primarily the sale of Praxair's industrial gas business in France in the first quarter.
Financing
Cash used for financing activities was $748 million for the nine-month period. Cash dividends of $570 million were above prior year due to an increase in dividends per share to $1.95 from $1.80. In 2014, noncontrolling interest transactions and other includes the purchase of the redeemable noncontrolling interests of Praxair Distribution Mid-Atlantic, LLC (see Note 14 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).
In March 2014, Praxair issued €600 million ($754 million) of 1.50% Euro-denominated notes due 2020, and repaid $300 million of 4.375% notes that became due.

Other Financial Data

Praxair's debt to capital ratio was 55.7% at September 30, 2014 versus 56.4% at September 30, 2013. The decrease is primarily attributable to a higher capital base due to higher net income partially offset by stock repurchases, dividends and other comprehensive income.

After-tax return on capital ("ROC") decreased to 12.6% for the four-quarter trailing period ended September 30, 2014 versus 12.8% for the 2013 period. This decrease reflects higher average debt levels due primarily to acquisitions in 2013.

Return on equity ("ROE") for the four-quarter trailing period ended September 30, 2014 remained strong at 28.2%.
 
See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below for definitions and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to reported GAAP amounts.
Legal Proceedings
See Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following non-GAAP measures are intended to supplement investors’ understanding of the company’s financial information by providing measures which investors, financial analysts and management use to help evaluate the company’s financial leverage, return on net assets employed and operating performance. Special items which the company does not believe to be indicative of on-going business trends are excluded from these calculations so that investors can better evaluate and analyze historical and future business trends on a consistent basis. Definitions of these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar definitions used by other companies and are not a substitute for similar GAAP measures.
The following are the non-GAAP measures presented in the MD&A:
 
 
September 30,
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)
2014
 
2013
Debt-to-capital
55.7
%
 
56.4
%
After-tax return on capital
12.6
%
 
12.8
%
Return on equity
28.2
%
 
28.4
%
Debt-to-adjusted EBITDA
2.2

 
2.2



40

 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
2013 Adjusted amounts:*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit
$
711

 
$
679

 
$
2,083

 
$
1,967

As a percent of sales
22.6
%
 
22.5
%
 
22.4
%
 
22.1
%
EBITDA
$
1,023

 
$
968

 
$
2,992

 
$
2,818

EBITDA margin
32.5
%
 
32.1
%
 
32.2
%
 
31.6
%
Effective tax rate
28.1
%
 
27.9
%
 
28.0
%
 
28.0
%
Net income - Praxair, Inc.
$
477

 
$
451

 
$
1,392

 
$
1,310

Diluted earnings per share
$
1.62

 
$
1.51

 
$
4.70

 
$
4.38


*
The adjusted amounts for 2013 exclude the impact of the first quarter Venezuela currency devaluation of $23 million ($23 million net of tax). See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Debt-to-Capital Ratio
The debt-to-capital ratio is a measure used by investors, financial analysts and management to provide a measure of financial leverage and insights into how the company is financing its operations.
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
Debt
$
9,121

 
$
9,026

Less: cash and cash equivalents
(168
)
 
(134
)
Net debt
8,953

 
8,892

Equity and redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
190

 
290

Praxair, Inc. shareholders’ equity
6,552

 
6,210

Noncontrolling interests
388

 
365

Total equity and redeemable noncontrolling interests
7,130


6,865

Capital
$
16,083

 
$
15,757

DEBT-TO-CAPITAL RATIO
55.7
%
 
56.4
%

41

After-tax Return on Capital (ROC)
After-tax return on capital is a measure used by investors, financial analysts and management to evaluate the return on net assets employed in the business. ROC measures the after-tax operating profit that the company was able to generate with the investments made by all parties in the business (debt, noncontrolling interests and Praxair, Inc. shareholders’ equity).
 
2014
 
2013
 
Four
Quarter
Trailing
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
Four
Quarter
Trailing
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating profit (see below)
$
2,773

 
$
2,083

 
$
690

 
$
2,583

 
$
1,967

 
$
616

Less: adjusted income taxes (see below)
(728
)
 
(546
)
 
(182
)
 
(678
)
 
(516
)
 
(162
)
Less: tax benefit on interest expense*
(49
)
 
(38
)
 
(11
)
 
(43
)
 
(33
)
 
(10
)
Add: equity income
39

 
30

 
9

 
38

 
29

 
9

Net operating profit after-tax (NOPAT)
$
2,035


$
1,529


$
506


$
1,900


$
1,447


$
453

Capital:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30th,
$
16,083

 
 
 
 
 
$
15,757

 
 
 
 
June 30th,
$
16,492

 
 
 
 
 
$
15,548

 
 
 
 
March 31st,
$
16,319

 
 
 
 
 
$
15,344

 
 
 
 
December 31st, 2013 & 2012
$
15,983

 
 
 
 
 
$
13,878

 
 
 
 
September 30th, 2013 & 2012
$
15,757

 
 
 
 
 
$
13,617

 
 
 
 
Five-quarter average
$
16,127

 
 
 
 
 
$
14,829

 
 
 
 
After-tax ROC
12.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
12.8
%
 
 
 
 

* 
Tax benefit on interest expense is computed using the effective rate. The effective tax rate used was 28% for 2014 and 2013.

Return on Praxair, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity (ROE)
Return on Praxair, Inc. shareholders’ equity is a measure used by investors, financial analysts and management to evaluate operating performance from a Praxair shareholder perspective. ROE measures the net income attributable to Praxair, Inc. that the company was able to generate with the money shareholders have invested.
 
2014
 
2013
 
Four
Quarter
Trailing
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
Four
Quarter
Trailing
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Net income - Praxair, Inc. (see below)
$
1,854

 
$
1,392

 
$
462

 
$
1,724

 
$
1,310

 
$
414

Praxair, Inc. shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30th,
$
6,552

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,210

 
 
 
 
June 30th,
$
6,911

 
 
 
 
 
$
5,928

 
 
 
 
March 31st,
$
6,600

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,169

 
 
 
 
December 31st, 2013 & 2012
$
6,609

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,064

 
 
 
 
September 30th, 2013 & 2012
$
6,210

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,015

 
 
 
 
Five-quarter average
$
6,576

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,077

 
 
 
 
ROE
28.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
28.4
%
 
 
 
 

42

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA Ratio
These measures are used by investors, financial analysts and management to assess a company’s ability to meet its financial obligations.
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income - Praxair, Inc. (see below)
$
477

 
$
451

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add: noncontrolling interest
13

 
17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add: interest expense - net
45

 
41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add: adjusted income taxes (see below)
187

 
178

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add: depreciation and amortization
301

 
281

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
1,023

 
$
968

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported Sales
3,144

 
3,013

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
32.5
%
 
32.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Four
Quarter
Trailing
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
Four
Quarter
Trailing
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income - Praxair, Inc. (see below)
$
1,854

 
$
1,392

 
$
462

 
$
1,724

 
$
1,310

 
$
414

Add: adjusted noncontrolling interest (see below)
58

 
41

 
17

 
62

 
48

 
14

Add: interest expense - net
172

 
134

 
38

 
157

 
122

 
35

Add: adjusted income taxes (see below)
728

 
546

 
182

 
678

 
516

 
162

Add: depreciation and amortization
1,166

 
879

 
287

 
1,076

 
822

 
254

Adjusted EBITDA
$
3,978

 
$
2,992

 
$
986

 
$
3,697

 
$
2,818

 
$
879

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported Sales
 
 
9,283

 
 
 
 
 
8,915

 
 
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
 
 
32.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
31.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30th,
$
8,953

 
 
 
 
 
$
8,892

 
 
 
 
June 30th,
$
8,992

 
 
 
 
 
$
9,004

 
 
 
 
March 31st,
$
9,126

 
 
 
 
 
$
8,563

 
 
 
 
December 31st, 2013 & 2012
$
8,673

 
 
 
 
 
$
7,205

 
 
 
 
September 30th, 2013 & 2012
$
8,892

 
 
 
 
 
$
7,028

 
 
 
 
Five-quarter average
$
8,927

 
 
 
 
 
$
8,138

 
 
 
 
DEBT-TO-ADJUSTED EBITDA RATIO
2.2

 
 
 
 
 
2.2

 
 
 
 

43

Adjusted Amounts
Adjusted amounts for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 exclude the impact of the Venezuela currency devaluation. Adjusted amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 exclude the impact of the Venezuela currency devaluation and pension settlement. Adjusted amounts for the three months ended December 31, 2013 exclude the impact of the bond redemption charge and income tax benefit. The company does not believe these items are indicative of on-going business trends and, accordingly, the impact is excluded from the reported amounts so that investors can better evaluate and analyze historical and future business trends on a consistent basis. For a description of these items, refer to Notes 2, 5 & 11 to the consolidated financial statements of Praxair’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Certain amounts for 2014 and 2012 have been included for reference purposes and to facilitate the calculations contained herein.
 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended December 31,
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2013
 
2012
Adjusted Operating Profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported operating profit
$
711

 
$
670

 
$
2,083

 
$
1,935

 
$
690

 
$
616

Add: Venezuela currency devaluation
—

 
—

 
—

 
23

 
—

 
—

Add: Pension settlement charge
—

 
9

 
—

 
9

 
—

 
—

Total adjustments
—

 
9

 
—

 
32

 
—

 
—

Adjusted operating profit
$
711

 
$
679

 
$
2,083

 
$
1,967

 
$
690

 
$
616

Reported percent change
6
%
 
 
 
8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted percent change
5
%
 
 
 
6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported interest expense
$
45

 
$
41

 
$
134

 
$
122

 
$
56

 
$
35

Less: Bond redemption
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(18
)
 
—

  Total adjustments
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(18
)
 
—

Adjusted interest expense
$
45

 
$
41

 
$
134

 
$
122

 
$
38

 
$
35

Adjusted Income Taxes and Effective Tax Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported income taxes
$
187

 
$
175

 
$
546

 
$
513

 
$
136

 
$
162

Add: Bond redemption
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6

 
—

Add: Income tax benefit
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
40

 
—

Add: Pension settlement charge
—

 
3

 
—

 
3

 
—

 
—

Total adjustments
—

 
3

 
—

 
3

 
46

 
—

Adjusted income taxes
$
187

 
$
178

 
$
546

 
$
516

 
$
182

 
$
162


44

 
Quarter Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Quarter Ended December 31,
(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2013
 
2012
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported income before income taxes and equity investments
$
666

 
$
629

 
$
1,949

 
$
1,813

 
$
634

 
$
581

Add: Bond redemption
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
18

 
—

Add: Pension settlement charge
—

 
9

 
—

 
9

 
—

 
—

Add: Venezuela currency devaluation
—

 
—

 
—

 
23

 
—

 
—

Total adjustments
—

 
9

 
—

 
32

 
18

 
—

Adjusted income before income taxes and equity investments
$
666

 
$
638

 
$
1,949

 
$
1,845

 
$
652

 
$
581

Adjusted effective tax rate
28.1
%
 
27.9
%
 
28.0
%
 
28.0
%
 
27.9
%
 
27.9
%
Adjusted Noncontrolling Interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported noncontrolling interests
$
13

 
$
17

 
$
41

 
$
48

 
$
33

 
$
14

Less: Income tax benefit
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(16
)
 
—

Total adjustments
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(16
)
 
—

Adjusted Noncontrolling Interests
$
13

 
$
17

 
$
41

 
$
48

 
$
17

 
$
14

Adjusted Net Income - Praxair, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported net income - Praxair, Inc.
$
477

 
$
445

 
$
1,392

 
$
1,281

 
$
474

 
$
414

Add: Bond redemption
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
12

 
—

Less: Income tax benefit
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(24
)
 
—

Add: Pension settlement charge
—

 
6

 
—

 
6

 
—

 
—

Add: Venezuela currency devaluation
—

 
—

 
—

 
23

 
—

 
—

Total adjustments
—

 
6

 
—

 
29

 
(12
)
 
—

Adjusted net income - Praxair, Inc.
$
477

 
$
451

 
$
1,392

 
$
1,310

 
$
462

 
$
414

Reported percent change
7
%
 
 
 
9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted percent change
6
%
 
 
 
6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported diluted earnings per share
$
1.62

 
$
1.49

 
$
4.70

 
$
4.28

 
$
1.59

 
$
1.38

Add: Bond redemption
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.04

 
—

Less: Income tax benefit
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(0.08
)
 
—

Add: Pension settlement charge
—

 
0.02

 
—

 
0.02

 
—

 
—

Add: Venezuela currency devaluation
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.08

 
—

 
—

Total adjustments
—

 
0.02

 
—

 
0.10

 
(0.04
)
 
—

Adjusted diluted earnings per share
$
1.62

 
$
1.51

 
$
4.70

 
$
4.38

 
$
1.55

 
$
1.38

Reported percent change
8
%
 
 
 
10
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted percent change
7
%
 
 
 
7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 

45

Percentage Change in Full - Year 2014 Diluted EPS Guidance
 
Low
End
 
High
End
2014 Diluted EPS guidance
$
6.23

 
$
6.30

2013 Adjusted Diluted EPS (see 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K)
$
5.93

 
$
5.93

Percentage change from 2013 adjusted amounts
5
%
 
6
%
New Accounting Standards
Refer to Note 1 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Forward-looking Statements
This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date the statements are made but involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the performance of stock markets generally; developments in worldwide and national economies and other international events and circumstances; changes in foreign currencies and in interest rates; the cost and availability of electric power, natural gas and other raw materials; the ability to achieve price increases to offset cost increases; catastrophic events including natural disasters, epidemics and acts of war and terrorism; the ability to attract, hire, and retain qualified personnel; the impact of changes in financial accounting standards; the impact of changes in pension plan liabilities; the impact of tax, environmental, healthcare and other legislation and government regulation in jurisdictions in which the company operates; the cost and outcomes of investigations, litigation and regulatory proceedings; continued timely development and market acceptance of new products and applications; the impact of competitive products and pricing; future financial and operating performance of major customers and industries served; the impact of information technology system failures, network disruptions and breaches in data security; and the effectiveness and speed of integrating new acquisitions into the business. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual future results or circumstances to differ materially from the projections or estimates contained in the forward-looking statements. The company assumes no obligation to update or provide revisions to any forward-looking statement in response to changing circumstances. The above listed risks and uncertainties are further described in Item 1A (Risk Factors) in this report which should be reviewed carefully. Please consider the company’s forward-looking statements in light of those risks.

46

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Refer to Item 7A. to Part II of Praxair’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a)
Based on an evaluation of the effectiveness of Praxair’s disclosure controls and procedures, which was made under the supervision and with the participation of management, including Praxair’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have each concluded that, as of the end of the quarterly period covered by this report, such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by Praxair in reports that it files under the Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and accumulated and communicated to management including Praxair’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b)
There were no changes in Praxair’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarterly period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Praxair’s internal control over financial reporting.

47

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a description of current legal proceedings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Due to the size and geographic reach of the company’s operations, a wide range of factors, many of which are outside of the company’s control, could materially affect the company’s future operations and financial performance. Management believes the following risks may significantly impact the company:
General Economic Conditions - Weakening economic conditions in markets in which the company does business may adversely impact the company’s financial results and/or cash flows.
Praxair serves approximately 25 diverse industries across more than 50 countries, which generally leads to financial stability through various business cycles. However, a broad decline in general economic or business conditions in the industries served by its customers could adversely affect the demand for Praxair’s products and impair the ability of our customers to satisfy their obligations to the company, resulting in uncollected receivables and/or unanticipated contract terminations or project delays. In addition, many of the company’s customers are in businesses that are cyclical in nature, such as the chemicals, electronics, metals and refining industries. Downturns in these industries may adversely impact the company during these cycles. Additionally, such conditions could impact the utilization of the company’s manufacturing capacity which may require the company to recognize impairment losses on tangible assets such as property, plant and equipment as well as intangible assets such as intellectual property or goodwill.
Cost and Availability of Raw Materials and Energy - Increases in the cost of energy and raw materials and/or disruption in the supply of these materials could result in lost sales or reduced profitability.
Energy is the single largest cost item in the production and distribution of industrial gases. Most of Praxair’s energy requirements are in the form of electricity, natural gas and diesel fuel for distribution. Praxair attempts to minimize the financial impact of variability in these costs through the management of customer contracts. Large customer contracts typically have escalation and pass-through clauses to recover energy and feedstock costs. Such attempts may not successfully mitigate cost variability which could negatively impact its financial condition or results of operations. The supply of energy has not been a significant issue in the geographic areas where it conducts business. However, regional energy conditions are unpredictable and may pose future risk.
For carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, helium, hydrogen, specialty gases and surface technologies, raw materials are largely purchased from outside sources. Praxair has contracts or commitments for, or readily available sources of, most of these raw materials; however, their long-term availability and prices are subject to market conditions. A disruption in supply of such raw materials could impact the company’s ability to meet contractual supply commitments.
International Events and Circumstances - The company’s international operations are subject to the risks of doing business abroad and international events and circumstances may adversely impact its business, financial condition or results of operations.
Praxair has substantial international operations which are subject to risks including devaluations in currency exchange rates, transportation delays and interruptions, political and economic instability and disruptions, restrictions on the transfer of funds, the imposition of duties and tariffs, import and export controls, changes in governmental policies, labor unrest, possible nationalization and/or expropriation of assets, domestic and international tax laws and compliance with governmental regulations. These events could have an adverse effect on the international operations in the future by reducing the demand for its products, decreasing the prices at which it can sell its products, reducing the U.S. dollar value of revenue from international operations or otherwise having an adverse effect on its business. In particular, due to government actions related to business and currency regulations, there is considerable risk associated with operations in Venezuela (see Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Currency). At September 30, 2014, Praxair’s sales and net assets in Venezuela were less than 1% of Praxair’s consolidated amounts. Also, the Company is monitoring developments regarding the collectability of government receivables from healthcare sales to public hospitals in Spain and Italy where economic conditions have been challenging and uncertain. Historically, collection of such government receivables has extended well beyond the contractual terms of sale; however,

48

payment has historically been received. At September 30, 2014 government receivables in Spain and Italy totaled $76 million ($82 million at December 31, 2013).
Global Financial Markets Conditions - Macroeconomic factors may impact the company’s ability to obtain financing or increase the cost of obtaining financing which may adversely impact the company’s financial results and/or cash flows.
Volatility and disruption in the U.S. and global credit and equity markets, from time to time, could make it more difficult for Praxair to obtain financing for its operations and/or could increase the cost of obtaining financing. In addition, the company’s borrowing costs can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies which are based, in significant part, on the company’s performance as measured by certain criteria such as interest coverage and leverage ratios. A decrease in these debt ratings could increase the cost of borrowing or make it more difficult to obtain financing. While the impact of volatility in the global credit markets cannot be predicted with certainty, the company believes that it has sufficient operating flexibility, cash reserves, and funding sources to maintain adequate amounts of liquidity to meet its business needs around the world.
Competitor Actions - The inability to effectively compete could adversely impact results of operations.
Praxair operates within a highly competitive environment worldwide. Competition is based on price, product quality, delivery, reliability, technology and service to customers. Competitors’ behavior related to these areas could potentially have significant impacts on the company’s financial results.
Governmental Regulations - The company is subject to a variety of United States and foreign government regulations. Changes in these regulations could have an adverse impact on the business, financial position and results of operations.
The company is subject to regulations in the following areas, among others:
•
Environmental protection;
•
Domestic and international tax laws and currency controls;
•
Safety;
•
Securities laws (e.g., SEC and generally accepted accounting principles in the United States);
•
Trade and import/ export restrictions;
•
Antitrust matters;
•
Global anti-bribery laws; and
•
Healthcare reimbursement regulations.
Changes in these or other regulatory areas may impact the company’s profitability, may require the company to spend additional resources to comply with the regulations, or may restrict the company’s ability to compete effectively in the marketplace. Noncompliance with such laws and regulations could result in penalties or sanctions that could have an adverse impact on the company’s financial results. Environmental protection and healthcare reimbursement legislation are discussed further below.
Praxair is subject to various environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing the discharge of pollutants into the air or water, the storage, handling and disposal of chemicals, hazardous substances and wastes, the remediation of contamination, the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, and other potential climate change initiatives. Violations of these laws could result in substantial penalties, third party claims for property damage or personal injury, or sanctions. The company may also be subject to liability for the investigation and remediation of environmental contamination at properties that it owns or operates and at other properties where Praxair or its predecessors have operated or arranged for the disposal of hazardous wastes.
Although management does not believe that any such liabilities will have a material adverse impact on its financial position and results of operations, management cannot provide assurance that such costs will not increase in the future or will not become material. See the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Environmental Matters” in Item 7 of Praxair’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Catastrophic Events - Catastrophic events could disrupt the operations of the company and/or its customers and suppliers and may have a significant adverse impact on the results of operations.
The occurrence of catastrophic events or natural disasters such as hurricanes, health epidemics, acts of war or terrorism, could disrupt or delay the company’s ability to produce and distribute its products to customers and could potentially expose the

49

company to third-party liability claims. In addition, such events could impact the company’s customers and suppliers resulting in temporary or long-term outages and/or the limitation of supply of energy and other raw materials used in normal business operations. These situations are outside the company’s control and may have a significant adverse impact on the company’s financial results.
Retaining Qualified Personnel - The inability to attract and retain qualified personnel may adversely impact the company’s business.
If Praxair fails to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel, the company may not be able to develop, market or sell its products or successfully manage its business. Praxair is dependent upon its highly skilled, experienced and efficient workforce to be successful. Much of Praxair’s competitive advantage is based on the expertise and experience of its key personnel regarding its marketing, technology, manufacturing and distribution infrastructure, systems and products. The inability to attract and hire qualified individuals or the loss of key employees in very skilled areas could have a negative effect on the company’s financial results.
Technological Advances - If the company fails to keep pace with technological advances in the industry or if new technology initiatives do not become commercially accepted, customers may not continue to buy the company’s products and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Praxair’s research and development is directed toward developing new and improved methods for the production and distribution of industrial gases and the development of new markets and applications for the use of these gases. This results in the frequent introduction of new industrial gas applications and the development of new advanced air separation process technologies. The company also conducts research and development for its surface technologies to improve the quality and durability of coatings and the use of specialty powders for new applications and industries. As a result of these efforts, the company develops new and proprietary technologies and employs necessary measures to protect such technologies within the global geographies in which the company operates. These technologies help Praxair to create a competitive advantage and to provide a platform for the company to grow its business at greater percentages than the rate of industrial production growth in such geographies. If Praxair’s research and development activities do not keep pace with competitors or if it does not create new technologies that benefit customers, future results of operations could be adversely affected.
Litigation and Governmental Investigations - The outcomes of litigation and governmental investigations may affect the company’s financial results.
Praxair is subject to various lawsuits and governmental investigations arising out of the normal course of business that may result in adverse outcomes. These actions are based upon alleged environmental, tax, antitrust and personal injury claims, among others. Adverse outcomes in some or all of the claims pending may result in significant monetary damages or injunctive relief that could adversely affect its ability to conduct business. While management currently believes that resolving all of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on the company’s financial position or liquidity, the litigation and other claims Praxair faces are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view of these matters may change in the future. There exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on the company’s results of operations for the period in which the effect of an unfavorable final outcome becomes probable and reasonably estimable.
Tax Liabilities - Potential tax liabilities could adversely impact the company’s financial position and results of operations.
Praxair is subject to income and other taxes in both the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. The determination of the company’s worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities requires judgment and is based on diverse legislative and regulatory structures that exist in the various jurisdictions where the company operates. Although management believes its estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in its financial statements and may materially affect the company’s financial results for the period when such determination is made. See Notes 5 and 17 to the consolidated financial statements of Praxair’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Pension Liabilities - Risks related to our pension benefit plans may adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows.
Pension benefits represent significant financial obligations that will be ultimately settled in the future with employees who meet eligibility requirements. Because of the uncertainties involved in estimating the timing and amount of future payments and asset returns, significant estimates are required to calculate pension expense and liabilities related to the company’s plans. The company utilizes the services of independent actuaries, whose models are used to facilitate these calculations. Several key assumptions are used in the actuarial models to calculate pension expense and liability amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements. In particular, significant changes in actual investment returns on pension assets, discount rates, or legislative or regulatory changes could impact future results of operations and required pension contributions. For information regarding the potential impacts regarding significant assumptions used to estimate pension expense, including discount

50

rates and the expected long-term rates of return on plan assets. See “Critical Accounting Policies - Pension Benefits” included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Praxair’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Operational Risks - Operational risks may adversely impact the company’s business or results of operations.
Praxair’s operating results are dependent on the continued operation of its production facilities and its ability to meet customer contract requirements and other needs. Insufficient or excess capacity threatens the company’s ability to generate competitive profit margins and may expose the company to liabilities related to contract commitments. Operating results are also dependent on the company’s ability to complete new construction projects on time, on budget and in accordance with performance requirements. Failure to do so may expose the business to loss of revenue, potential litigation and loss of business reputation.
Also inherent in the management of the company’s production facilities and delivery systems, including storage, vehicle transportation and pipelines, are operational risks that require continuous training, oversight and control. Material operating failures at production, storage facilities or pipelines, including fire, toxic release and explosions, or the occurrence of vehicle transportation accidents could result in loss of life, damage to the environment, loss of production and/or extensive property damage, all of which may negatively impact the company’s financial results.
Information Technology Systems – The Company may be subject to information technology system ("IT") failures, network disruptions and breaches in data security.
Praxair relies on IT systems and networks for business and operational activities, and also stores and processes sensitive business and proprietary information in these systems and networks. These systems are susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, viruses, break-ins and similar events, or breaches of security. Management has taken steps to address these risks and concerns by implementing advanced security technologies, internal controls, network and data center resiliency and recovery processes. Despite these steps, however, operational failures and breaches of security from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats could lead to the loss or disclosure of confidential information, result in regulatory actions and have a material adverse impact on Praxair's operations, reputation and financial results.
Acquisitions and Joint Ventures - The inability to effectively integrate acquisitions or collaborate joint venture partners could adversely impact the company’s financial position and results of operations.
Praxair has evaluated, and expects to continue to evaluate, a wide array of potential strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. Many of these acquisitions, if consummated, could be material to its financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the process of integrating an acquired company, business or group of assets may create unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. Although historically the company has been successful with its acquisition strategy and execution, the areas where the company may face risks include:
•
The need to implement or remediate controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a larger public company at companies that prior to the acquisition lacked these controls, procedures and policies;
•
Diversion of management time and focus from operating existing business to acquisition integration challenges;
•
Cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from the acquired company into the existing organization;
•
The need to integrate each company’s accounting, management information, human resource and other administrative systems to permit effective management;
•
Difficulty with the assimilation of acquired operations and products;
•
Failure to achieve targeted synergies; and
•
Inability to retain key employees and business relationships of acquired companies.
Foreign acquisitions and joint ventures involve unique risks in addition to those mentioned above, including those related to integration of operations across different cultures and languages, currency risks and the particular economic, political and regulatory risks associated with specific countries. Also, the anticipated benefit of the company’s acquisitions may not materialize. Future acquisitions or dispositions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses, or impairments of goodwill, any of which could adversely impact the company’s financial results.

51

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Purchases of Equity Securities- Certain information regarding purchases made by or on behalf of the company or any affiliated purchaser (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of its common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 is provided below:
Period
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
(Thousands)
 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
 
Total Numbers of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Program (1) 
(Thousands)
 
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet be Purchased
Under the Program (2)
(Millions)
July 2014
258

 
$
130.99

 
258

 
$
1,421

August 2014
374

 
$
129.24

 
374

 
$
1,373

September 2014
265

 
$
132.08

 
265

 
$
1,338

Third Quarter 2014
897

 
$
130.58

 
897

 
$
1,338

 
(1)
On January 28, 2014, the company's board of directors approved the repurchase of an additional $1.5 billion of its common stock (2014 program) which could take place from time to time on the open market (which could include the use of 10b5-1 trading plans) or through negotiated transactions, subject to market and business conditions. The 2014 program does not have any stated expiration date.
(2)
As of September 30, 2014, the Company purchased $162 million of its common stock pursuant to the 2014 program, leaving an additional $1,338 million remaining authorized.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
(a)
Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
10.01
 
Praxair Compensation Deferral Program amended and restated as of July 15, 2014 is filed herewith.
 
12.01
  
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
 
 
 
31.01
  
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification
 
 
 
 
31.02
  
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification
 
 
 
 
32.01
  
Section 1350 Certification (such certifications are furnished for the information of the Commission and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act).
 
 
 
 
32.02
  
Section 1350 Certification (such certifications are furnished for the information of the Commission and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act).
 
 
 
 
101.INS
  
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
*    Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

52

SIGNATURE
Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
PRAXAIR, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Date: October 29, 2014
 
By: /s/ Elizabeth T. Hirsch
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elizabeth T. Hirsch
 
 
 
Vice President and Controller
 
 
 
(On behalf of the Registrant
 
 
 
and as Chief Accounting Officer)
 

53