Equity

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

The change in equity for the first six months of 2012 is shown below (in millions):  

	Common Stockholders' Equity			Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries		Total Equity
September 30, 2011	$	10,399		152		10,551
Net earnings	916			21		937
Other comprehensive income	66			(2	)	64
Cash dividends	(588		)	(24	)	(612	)
Net treasury stock purchases and other	(282		)	(3	)	(285	)
March 31, 2012	$	10,511		144		10,655

Comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is summarized as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
	2011			2012	2011		2012
Net earnings	$	567		556	1,058		937
Foreign currency translation	301			90	281		(6	)
Cash flow hedges and other	(17		)	43	(1	)	70
	851			689	1,338		1,001
Less: Noncontrolling interests	13			11	26		19
Amounts attributable to common stockholders	$	838		678	1,312		982

Fluctuations in the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies were mixed overall, with the dollar strengthening over the first half of 2012 and weakening during the second quarter, contributing to the change in foreign currency translation. The amount attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries consists primarily of earnings, plus foreign currency translation.