Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The foregoing consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared from the books and records of Trinity Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Trinity”, “Company”, “we”, or “our”) including its majority-owned subsidiary, TRIP Rail Holdings LLC (“TRIP Holdings”). In our opinion, all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2012, and the results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, and cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, have been made in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 may not be indicative of expected results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2012. These interim financial statements and notes are condensed as permitted by the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders’ Equity

In September 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new $200 million share repurchase program, effective October 1, 2012, which expires on December 31, 2014. The new program replaces the Company's prior program which expired on September 30, 2012. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 141,992 shares and 1,834,221 shares, respectively, under the prior program at a cost of approximately $4.0 million and $45.2 million, respectively. No shares were repurchased under the prior program during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011.

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk are primarily cash investments, short-term marketable securities, and receivables. The carrying values of cash, receivables, and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values. At September 30, 2012, one customer’s net receivable balance in our Energy Equipment Group, all within terms, accounted for approximately 22% of the consolidated net receivables balance outstanding.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2011-05”) which amended prior comprehensive income guidance. ASU 2011-05 became effective for public companies during the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted. Accordingly, the Company adopted this new standard on January 1, 2012 by including the consolidated statement of comprehensive income with its consolidated financial statements and revising Note 15 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as it only requires a change in reporting format with regard to components of other comprehensive income.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Effective December 31, 2011, the Company adopted the emerging industry policy of recognizing revenue from the sales of railcars from the lease fleet on a gross basis in leasing revenues and cost of revenues if the railcar has been owned by the lease fleet for one year or less at the time of sale. Sales of railcars from the lease fleet which have been owned by the lease fleet for more than one year are recognized as a net gain or loss from the disposal of a long-term asset. Prior year reported balances have been reclassified to conform to this policy resulting in a decrease in revenue of $5.7 million and $17.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. The adoption of this policy had no effect on operating profit or net income. Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to conform to the 2012 presentation.