Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and controlled majority owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in affiliates over which we do not have the ability to exert significant influence are accounted for using the equity or cost methods of accounting. These affiliated companies are not material individually or in the aggregate to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP), which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We use estimates in accounting for, among other items, customer returns, rebates and incentives; allowance for doubtful accounts; excess and obsolete inventory; share-based compensation; acquisitions; product warranty obligations; retirement benefits; litigation, claims and contingencies, including environmental matters, conditional asset retirement obligations and contractual indemnifications; and income taxes. We account for changes to estimates and assumptions prospectively when warranted by factually based experience.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Product and solution revenues consist of industrial automation power, control and information; hardware and software products; and custom-engineered systems. Service revenues include multi-vendor customer technical support and repair, asset management and optimization consulting and training. All service revenue recorded in our results of operations is associated with our Control Product & Solutions segment.

For approximately 85 percent of our consolidated sales, we record sales when all of the following have occurred: an agreement of sale exists; pricing is fixed or determinable; collection is reasonably assured; and product has been delivered and acceptance has occurred, as may be required according to contract terms, or services have been rendered. Although the majority of our sales agreements contain standard terms and conditions, our Control Product & Solutions business also sells certain products, solutions and services that require separate delivery. We divide these arrangements into separate deliverables and revenue is allocated to each deliverable based on the relative selling price of each element provided the delivered elements have value to customers on a standalone basis and delivery or performance of the undelivered items is probable and substantially in our control.

We recognize substantially all of the remainder of our sales as construction-type contracts using either the percentage-of-completion or completed contract method of accounting. We record sales relating to these contracts using the percentage-of-completion method when we determine that progress toward completion is reasonably and reliably estimable; we use the completed contract method for all others. Under the percentage-of-completion method, we recognize sales and gross profit as work is performed using the relationship between actual costs incurred and total estimated costs at completion. Under the percentage-of-completion method, we adjust sales and gross profit for revisions of estimated total contract costs or revenue in the period the change is identified. We record estimated losses on contracts when they are identified.

We use contracts and customer purchase orders to determine the existence of an agreement of sale. We use shipping documents and customer acceptance, when applicable, to verify delivery. We assess whether the fee is fixed or determinable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund or adjustment. We assess collectibility based on the creditworthiness of the customer as determined by credit evaluations and analysis, as well as the customer’s payment history.

Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in sales and the related costs are included in cost of sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Returns, Rebates and Incentives

Returns, Rebates and Incentives

Our primary incentive program provides distributors with cash rebates or account credits based on agreed amounts that vary depending on the customer to whom our distributor ultimately sells the product. We also offer various other incentive programs that provide distributors and direct sale customers with cash rebates, account credits or additional products and services based on meeting specified program criteria. Certain distributors are offered a right to return product, subject to contractual limitations.

We record accruals for customer returns, rebates and incentives at the time of sale based primarily on historical experience. Returns, rebates and incentives are recognized as a reduction of sales if distributed in cash or customer account credits. Rebates and incentives are recognized in cost of sales for additional products and services to be provided. Accruals are reported as a current liability in our balance sheet or, where a right of offset exists, as a reduction of accounts receivable.

Taxes on Revenue Producing Transactions

Taxes on Revenue Producing Transactions

Taxes assessed by governmental authorities on revenue producing transactions, including sales, value added, excise and use taxes, are recorded on a net basis (excluded from revenue).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include time deposits and certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.

Receivables

Receivables

We record allowances for doubtful accounts based on customer-specific analysis and general matters such as current assessments of past due balances and economic conditions. Receivables are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $26.1 million at September 30, 2011 and $17.9 million at September 30, 2010. In addition, receivables are stated net of an allowance for certain customer returns, rebates and incentives of $8.0 million at September 30, 2011 and $16.4 million at September 30, 2010.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods. Market is determined on the basis of estimated realizable values.

Property

Property

Property, including internal use software, is stated at cost. We calculate depreciation of property using the straight-line method over 15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 14 years for machinery and equipment and 3 to 10 years for computer hardware and internal-use software. We capitalize significant renewals and enhancements and write off replaced units. We expense maintenance and repairs, as well as renewals of minor amounts.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets generally result from business acquisitions. We account for business acquisitions by allocating the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair values; the excess of the purchase price over the allocated amount is recorded as goodwill.

We review goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate impairment may be present. Any excess in carrying value over the estimated fair value is charged to results of operations. We perform an annual impairment test during the second quarter of our fiscal year.

We amortize certain customer relationships on an accelerated basis over the period of which we expect the intangible asset to generate future cash flows. We amortize all other intangible assets with finite useful lives on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Useful lives assigned range from 2 to 10 years for trademarks, 7 to 20 years for customer relationships, 7 to 17 years for technology and 2 to 30 years for other intangible assets.

Intangible assets also include costs of software developed by our software business to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed. Amortization of developed computer software products is calculated on a product-by-product basis as the greater of (a) the unamortized cost at the beginning of the year times the ratio of the current year gross revenue for a product to the total of the current and anticipated future gross revenue for that product, (b) the straight-line amortization over the remaining estimated economic life of the product or (c) one-fourth of the total deferred software cost for the project.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the recoverability of the recorded amount of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the recorded amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. Impairment is assessed when the undiscounted expected future cash flows derived from an asset are less than its carrying amount. If we determine that an asset is impaired, we measure the impairment to be recognized as the amount by which the recorded amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. We report assets to be disposed of at the lower of the recorded amount or fair value less cost to sell. We determine fair value using a discounted future cash flow analysis.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

We use derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage foreign currency risks. We use foreign currency forward exchange contracts to offset changes in the amount of future cash flows associated with certain third-party sale and intercompany transactions expected to occur within the next two years (cash flow hedges) and changes in the fair value of certain assets and liabilities resulting from intercompany loans and other transactions with third parties denominated in foreign currencies. Our accounting method for derivative financial instruments is based upon the designation of such instruments as hedges under U.S. GAAP. It is our policy to execute such instruments with global financial institutions that we believe to be creditworthy and not to enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Foreign currency forward exchange contracts are usually denominated in currencies of major industrial countries.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

We translate assets and liabilities of subsidiaries operating outside of the United States with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollars using exchange rates at the end of the respective period. We translate sales, costs and expenses at average exchange rates effective during the respective period. We report foreign currency translation adjustments as a component of other comprehensive loss. Currency transaction gains and losses are included in the results of operations in the period incurred.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

We expense research and development (R&D) costs as incurred; these costs were $254.4 million in 2011, $198.9 million in 2010 and $170.0 million in 2009. We include R&D expenses in cost of sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We account for uncertain tax positions by determining whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. For tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

We present basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) amounts. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing earnings available to common shareowners, which is income excluding the allocation to participating securities, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year, excluding unvested restricted stock. Diluted EPS amounts are based upon the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the year. We use the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding share-based compensation awards, which requires us to compute total employee proceeds as the sum of (a) the amount the employee must pay upon exercise of the award, (b) the amount of unearned share-based compensation costs attributed to future services and (c) the amount of tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the award. Share-based compensation awards for which the total employee proceeds of the award exceed the average market price of the same award over the period have an antidilutive effect on EPS, and accordingly, we exclude them from the calculation. Antidilutive share-based compensation awards for the years ended September 30, 2011 (2.1 million shares), 2010 (4.9 million shares) and 2009 (7.5 million shares) were excluded from the diluted EPS calculation. U.S. GAAP requires unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, to be treated as participating securities and included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Our participating securities are composed of unvested restricted stock and non-employee director restricted stock units.

The following table reconciles basic and diluted EPS amounts (in millions, except per share amounts):

	2011			2010			2009
Income from continuing operations	$	697.1		$	440.4		$	217.9
Less: Allocation to participating securities		(1.4	)		(1.0	)		(0.5	)
Income from continuing operations available to common shareowners	$	695.7		$	439.4		$	217.4
Income from discontinued operations	$	0.7		$	23.9		$	2.8
Less: Allocation to participating securities		—			(0.1	)		—
Income from discontinued operations available to common shareowners	$	0.7		$	23.8		$	2.8
Net income	$	697.8		$	464.3		$	220.7
Less: Allocation to participating securities		(1.4	)		(1.1	)		(0.5	)
Net income available to common shareowners	$	696.4		$	463.2		$	220.2
Basic weighted average outstanding shares		142.7			142.0			141.6
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options		2.1			1.7			0.7
Performance shares		0.4			0.3			0.1
Diluted weighted average outstanding shares		145.2			144.0			142.4
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations	$	4.88		$	3.09		$	1.54
Discontinued operations		—			0.17			0.02
Net income	$	4.88		$	3.26		$	1.56
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations	$	4.79		$	3.05		$	1.53
Discontinued operations		0.01			0.17			0.02
Net income	$	4.80		$	3.22		$	1.55

Share-Based Compensation and Product and Workers' Compensation Liabilities

Share-Based Compensation

We recognize compensation expense on grants of share-based compensation awards on a straight-line basis over the service period of each award recipient.

Product and Workers’ Compensation Liabilities

We record accruals for product and workers’ compensation claims in the period in which they are probable and reasonably estimable. Our principal self-insurance programs include product liability and workers’ compensation where we self-insure up to a specified dollar amount. Claims exceeding this amount up to specified limits are covered by policies purchased from commercial insurers. We estimate the liability for the majority of the self-insured claims using our claims experience for the periods being valued.

Environmental Matters and Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations

Environmental Matters

We record accruals for environmental matters in the period in which our responsibility is probable and the cost can be reasonably estimated. We make changes to the accruals in the periods in which the estimated costs of remediation change. At third-party environmental sites for which more than one potentially responsible party has been identified, we record a liability for our estimated allocable share of costs related to our involvement with the site as well as an estimated allocable share of costs related to the involvement of insolvent or unidentified parties. At environmental sites for which we are the only responsible party, we record a liability for the total estimated costs of remediation. We do not discount to their present value future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations. If we determine that recovery from insurers or other third parties is probable, we record a receivable for the estimated recovery.

Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations

We accrue for costs related to a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction, development or the normal operation of the long-lived asset. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is not conditional even though the timing or method may be conditional.

Product warranty obligations

We record a liability for product warranty obligations at the time of sale to a customer based upon historical warranty experience. Most of our products are covered under a warranty period that runs for twelve months from either the date of sale or from installation to a customer. We also record a liability for specific warranty matters when they become known and reasonably estimable. Our product warranty obligations are included in other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Derivatives instruments and fair value measurement

We use foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage certain foreign currency risks. We enter into these contracts to offset changes in the amount of future cash flows associated with certain third-party and intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies forecasted to occur within the next two years (cash flow hedges). Certain of our locations have assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than their functional currencies resulting from intercompany loans and other transactions with third parties denominated in foreign currencies. We also enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts that we do not designate as hedging instruments to offset the transaction gains or losses associated with some of these assets and liabilities.

We recognize all derivative financial instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. We report in other comprehensive income (loss) the effective portion of the gain or loss on derivative financial instruments that we designate and that qualify as cash flow hedges. We reclassify these gains or losses into earnings in the same periods when the hedged transactions affect earnings. Gains and losses on derivative financial instruments for which we do not elect hedge accounting are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in each period, based upon the change in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments.

It is our policy to execute such instruments with major financial institutions that we believe to be creditworthy and not to enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. We diversify our forward exchange contracts among counterparties to minimize exposure to any one of these entities. Most of our forward exchange contracts are denominated in currencies of major industrial countries. The notional values of our forward exchange contracts outstanding at September 30, 2011 were $725.1 million, of which $521.6 million were designated as cash flow hedges. Currency pairs (buy / sell) comprising the most significant contract notional value were United States dollar (USD) / euro, USD / Canadian dollar, Swiss franc / USD, Singapore dollar / USD, Swiss franc / Canadian dollar and Swiss franc / euro. We value our forward exchange contracts using a market approach. We use an internally developed valuation model based on inputs including forward and spot prices for currency and interest rate curves. We did not change our valuation techniques during fiscal 2011.

We also use foreign currency denominated debt obligations to hedge portions of our net investments in non-US subsidiaries. The currency effects of the debt obligations are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss within shareholders’ equity where they offset gains and losses recorded on our net investments globally. At September 30, 2011 we had $14.1 million of foreign currency denominated debt designated as net investment hedges.

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. U.S. GAAP also classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.