INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	13. INCOME TAXES Effective tax rate The company’s effective income tax rate for continuing operations was 11.2% and 16.8% in the first quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively. The company’s effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate each year due to certain operations that are subject to tax incentives, state and local taxes, and foreign taxes that are different than the U.S. federal statutory rate. In addition, the effective tax rate can be impacted each period by discrete factors and events. The effective income tax rate for continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was impacted by benefits recorded relating to settlement of a 2008 through 2010 transfer pricing Competent Authority proceeding between the U.S. and Germany, the reversal of a valuation allowance in Brazil as a result of continued profit improvements, receipt of tax free income from the settlement of Claris contingent matters (as described in Note 6), and adjustments of state income tax provisional amounts related to the 2017 Tax Act toll charge. In addition, windfall benefits realized from stock option exercises and vesting of RSUs associated with the company’s stock compensation programs favorably impacted the effective tax rate by approximately three percentage points. Partially offsetting the foregoing benefits was interest on the reserve for uncertain tax benefits (UTPs) and some miscellaneous transfer pricing UTP accruals.

13. INCOME TAXES

Effective tax rate

The company’s effective income tax rate for continuing operations was 11.2% and 16.8% in the first quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively. The company’s effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate each year due to certain operations that are subject to tax incentives, state and local taxes, and foreign taxes that are different than the U.S. federal statutory rate. In addition, the effective tax rate can be impacted each period by discrete factors and events.

The effective income tax rate for continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was impacted by benefits recorded relating to settlement of a 2008 through 2010 transfer pricing Competent Authority proceeding between the U.S. and Germany, the reversal of a valuation allowance in Brazil as a result of continued profit improvements, receipt of tax free income from the settlement of Claris contingent matters (as described in Note 6), and adjustments of state income tax provisional amounts related to the 2017 Tax Act toll charge. In addition, windfall benefits realized from stock option exercises and vesting of RSUs associated with the company’s stock compensation programs favorably impacted the effective tax rate by approximately three percentage points. Partially offsetting the foregoing benefits was interest on the reserve for uncertain tax benefits (UTPs) and some miscellaneous transfer pricing UTP accruals.