BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Our consolidated financial statements provide an overall view of our results of operations and financial condition. They include our accounts and the accounts of entities we control, including:


•	majority-owned domestic and foreign subsidiaries and


•	variable interest entities in which we are the primary beneficiary.

They do not include our intercompany transactions and accounts, which are eliminated.

Earnings Per Share

We use the treasury stock method to calculate the dilutive effect of our outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units. Share-based payment awards that are contingently issuable upon the achievement of specified performance or market conditions are included in our diluted earnings per share calculation in the period in which the conditions are satisfied.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

To estimate the fair value of fixed rate long-term debt we used the market approach, which is based on quoted market prices we received for the same types and issues of our debt.

We believe that our variable rate long-term debt and line of credit instruments have net carrying values that approximate their fair values with only insignificant differences.

The inputs to these valuations are based on market data obtained from independent sources or information derived principally from observable market data. The difference between the fair value and the carrying value represents the theoretical net premium or discount we would pay or receive to retire all debt at the measurement date.