Airgas Transaction

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Airgas Transaction [Abstract]

Airgas Transaction

6.    AIRGAS TRANSACTION

In February 2010, we commenced a tender offer to acquire all the outstanding common stock of Airgas, Inc. (Airgas), including the associated preferred stock purchase rights. Based on a decision by the Delaware Chancery Court to uphold the decision of Airgas' Board of Directors to retain the preferred stock purchase rights, we withdrew our offer on 15 February 2011.

The three and six months ended 31 March 2011 included a net loss of $5.0 ($4.4 after-tax, or $.02 per share) and $48.5 ($31.6 after-tax, or $.14 per share), respectively, which was reflected separately on the consolidated income statements as "Net loss on Airgas transaction." This net loss included amortization of the fees related to the term loan credit facility, the gain on the sale of Airgas stock, and other acquisition-related costs. The six months ended 31 March 2011 included cash payments for acquisition-related costs of $153.8, which was classified as an operating activity on the consolidated statements of cash flows. For additional details on this transaction, refer to Note 3, Airgas Transaction, in our 2011 Form 10-K.