Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented using the accrual basis of accounting and include the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The equity method of accounting is used for all entities in which the Company or its subsidiaries have significant influence, but not a controlling interest. The Company evaluates less-than-majority-owned investments for consolidation pursuant to consolidation and variable interest entity guidance. The Company does not have any less-than-majority-owned investments requiring consolidation. In November 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832), Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. The standard is intended to increase transparency of government assistance by requiring disclosures of the following: (1) the types of assistance, (2) an entity’s accounting for the assistance, and (3) the effect of the assistance on the entity’s financial statements. This ASU was effective for the Company on January 1, 2022 and the Company adopted the ASU prospectively. See Note 7, Property and Equipment for the newly required disclosure. Use of Estimates. The accounting and financial reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include those related to the recoverability and useful lives of assets and income taxes. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates and actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue Recognition. The primary performance obligation for the Company is to move customers’ freight from an origin to a destination. A performance obligation is created when a customer under a transportation contract or public tariff submits a bill of lading for the transport of goods. The Company recognizes revenue proportionally as a shipment moves from origin to destination, using the distance shipped to measure progress, as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefit over time. Related expenses are recognized as incurred. Revenue associated with in-transit shipments at period end is recognized based on the distance shipped as of the balance sheet date. Payment is received at the time or shortly after the performance obligation is satisfied. The transaction price is generally in the form of a fixed fee determined at the inception of the transportation contract or the inception of the bill of lading. Certain customer agreements have variable consideration that are based on milestone achievements in the form of rebates, discounts or incentives. The Company makes judgments to determine whether the variable consideration is probable of occurring and should be included in the estimated transaction price at the beginning of the period to apply a more consistent rate throughout the year based on an analysis of historical experience with the customer, forecasted shipments and other economic indicators. The Company adjusts the estimate on a quarterly basis. Other revenues, including switching, storage, and demurrage are distinct services and are recognized as services are performed or as contractual obligations are fulfilled. The consideration for other revenue is allocated between the separate services based upon the stand-alone transaction price. Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss). For financial reporting purposes, foreign subsidiaries maintain records in U.S. dollars, which is the functional currency. The dollar is the currency that reflects the economic substance of the underlying events and circumstances relevant to the entity. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Mexican pesos (“pesos” or “Ps.”) are remeasured into U.S. dollars (“dollars”) using current exchange rates. The difference between the exchange rate on the date of the transaction and the exchange rate on the settlement date, or balance sheet date if not settled, is included in the income statement as foreign exchange gain or loss. Cash Equivalents. Short-term liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Accounts Receivable, net. Accounts receivable are net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts as determined by historical experience and adjusted for economic uncertainties, known trends, and reasonable supportable forecasts. Accounts are charged to the allowance when a customer enters bankruptcy, when an account has been transferred to a collection agent or submitted for legal action, or when a customer is significantly past due and all available means of collection have been exhausted. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the allowance for estimated credit losses was $12.2 million and $12.1 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, bad debt expense was $8.7 million, $3.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Materials and Supplies. Materials and supplies consisting of diesel fuel, items to be used in the maintenance of rolling stock and items to be used in the maintenance or construction of road property are valued at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Derivative Instruments. Derivatives are measured at fair value and recorded on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded either through current earnings or as other comprehensive income (loss), depending on hedge designation. Gains and losses on derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) and are reclassified into earnings in the periods in which earnings are impacted by the variability of the cash flow of the hedged item. Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets). KCS capitalizes costs for self-constructed additions and improvements to property including direct labor and material, indirect costs, and interest during long-term construction projects. For purchased assets, all costs necessary to make the asset ready for its intended use are capitalized. Expenditures that significantly increase asset values, productive capacity, efficiency, safety or extend useful lives are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The Company has a process to determine which costs qualify for capitalization, which requires judgment. KCS capitalizes certain costs incurred with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stage, as well as maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred. Property and equipment are carried at cost and are depreciated primarily on the group method of depreciation, which the Company believes closely approximates a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets measured in years. The group method of depreciation applies a composite rate to classes of similar assets rather than to individual assets. Composite depreciation rates are based upon the Company’s estimates of the expected average useful lives of assets as well as expected net salvage value at the end of their useful lives. In developing these estimates, the Company utilizes periodic depreciation studies performed by an independent engineering firm. Depreciation rate studies are performed at least every three years for equipment and at least six years for road property (rail, ties, ballast, etc.). The Company completed depreciation studies for KCSR in 2021 and KCSM in 2020. The impact of the KCSR study resulted in approximately $12.0 million in additional depreciation expense in 2022. The impact of the KCSM study was immaterial to the consolidated financial results for all periods presented. Under the group method of depreciation, the cost of railroad property and equipment (net of salvage or sales proceeds) retired or replaced in the normal course of business is charged to accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recognized. Gains or losses on dispositions of land or non-group property and abnormal retirements of railroad property are recognized through income. A retirement of railroad property would be considered abnormal if the cause of the retirement is unusual in nature, is significant in amount, and varies significantly from the retirement profile identified through the depreciation studies. Costs incurred by the Company to acquire the Concession rights and related assets, as well as subsequent improvements to the Concession assets, are capitalized and amortized using the group method of depreciation over the lesser of the current expected Concession term, including probable renewal of an additional 50-year term, or the estimated useful lives of the assets and rights. .Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets, including property and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets and intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment and written down to fair value when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the long-lived assets, the carrying value would be reduced to the estimated fair value. Future cash flow estimates for an impairment review would be based on the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which are the Company’s U.S. and Mexican operations. During the year ended December 31, 2020, $13.6 million of expense was recognized related to costs previously capitalized for the development of internal-use software. The development of the software was cancelled prior to completion and had no further use. Other than the abnormal impairment related to the implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading (“PSR”) for the year ended 2020, and the aforementioned software impairment, management did not identify any indicators of impairment for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. Leases. The Company leases transportation equipment, as well as office and other operating facilities, under various finance and operating leases. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the implicit rate is not readily determinable in most of the Company’s lease agreements, the Company uses its estimated secured incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of approximately 1 year to 7 years, which may include the option to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise that option. The Company does not separately identify lease and nonlease components (i.e. maintenance costs) except for fleet vehicles and real estate. The Company does not have lease agreements with residual value guarantees, sale leaseback terms or material restrictive covenants. Additionally, short-term leases and leases with variable lease costs are immaterial, and the Company does not have any sublease arrangements. Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in business combinations. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the goodwill balance was $13.2 million, which is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed at least annually, or more frequently as indicators warrant, for impairment. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the reporting units’ fair values. The Company performed its annual impairment review for goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2022 and 2021, and concluded there was no impairment. Investments and Impairment. The Company reviews equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This determination requires significant judgment. In making this judgment, the Company considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence in evaluating potential impairment of these investments. If it is determined that an indicator of impairment exists, the Company assesses whether the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. If the carrying value of the investment exceeds its fair value, the Company will evaluate, among other factors, general market conditions, the duration and extent to which the carrying value is greater than the fair value, and KCS’s intent and ability to hold, or plans to sell, the investment. The Company also considers specific adverse conditions related to the financial health of and business outlook for the investee, including industry and sector performance, changes in technology, and operational and financing cash flow factors. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new carrying basis in the investment is established. No impairment charges were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Non-financial assets and liabilities are recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to recognition in the financial statements only in certain circumstances. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based upon the observability of inputs. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. Environmental Liabilities. The Company recognizes liabilities for remediation and restoration costs when the Company’s obligation is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation and restoration are not discounted to their present value. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable. Costs of ongoing compliance activities related to current operations are expensed as incurred. Personal Injury Claims. Personal injury claims in excess of self-insurance levels are insured up to certain coverage amounts, depending on the type of claim and year of occurrence. The Company’s personal injury liability is based on actuarial studies performed on an undiscounted basis by an independent third party actuarial firm and reviewed by management. The liability is based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Adjustments to the liability are reflected as operating expenses in the period in which the adjustments are known. Legal fees related to personal injury claims are recognized in operating expense in the period incurred. Health and Welfare and Postemployment Benefits. The Company provides certain medical, life and other postemployment benefits to certain active employees and retirees. The Company uses actuaries to assist management in measuring the benefit obligation and cost based on the current plan provisions, employee demographics, and assumptions about financial and demographic factors affecting the probability, timing and amount of expected future benefit payments. Significant assumptions include the discount rate, rate of increase in compensation levels, and the health care cost trend rate. Actuarial gains and losses determined at the measurement date (December 31) are recognized immediately in the consolidated statements of income. Share-Based Compensation. The Company accounted for all share-based compensation in accordance with fair value recognition provisions. Under this method, compensation expense was measured at grant date fair value and recognized over the requisite service period in which the award was earned. Forfeitures were recognized as they occurred. The Company had historically issued treasury stock to settle share-based awards. Income Taxes. Deferred income tax effects of transactions reported in different periods for financial reporting and income tax return purposes are recognized under the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. This method gives consideration to the future tax consequences of the deferred income tax items and immediately recognizes changes in income tax laws in the year of enactment. The Company has recognized a deferred tax asset, net of a valuation allowance, for net operating loss and capital loss carryovers. The Company projects sufficient future taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset recorded less the valuation allowance. These projections take into consideration assumptions about future income, future capital expenditures and inflation rates. If assumptions or actual conditions change, the deferred tax asset, net of the valuation allowance, will be adjusted to properly reflect the expected tax benefit.

The equity method of accounting is used for all entities in which the Company or its subsidiaries have significant influence, but not a controlling interest. The Company evaluates less-than-majority-owned investments for consolidation pursuant to consolidation and variable interest entity guidance. The Company does not have any less-than-majority-owned investments requiring consolidation.

In November 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832), Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. The standard is intended to increase transparency of government assistance by requiring disclosures of the following: (1) the types of assistance, (2) an entity’s accounting for the assistance, and (3) the effect of the assistance on the entity’s financial statements. This ASU was effective for the Company on January 1, 2022 and the Company adopted the ASU prospectively. See Note 7, Property and Equipment for the newly required disclosure.

Use of Estimates. The accounting and financial reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include those related to the recoverability and useful lives of assets and income taxes. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates and actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition. The primary performance obligation for the Company is to move customers’ freight from an origin to a destination. A performance obligation is created when a customer under a transportation contract or public tariff submits a bill of lading for the transport of goods. The Company recognizes revenue proportionally as a shipment moves from origin to destination, using the distance shipped to measure progress, as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefit over time. Related expenses are recognized as incurred. Revenue associated with in-transit shipments at period end is

The transaction price is generally in the form of a fixed fee determined at the inception of the transportation contract or the inception of the bill of lading. Certain customer agreements have variable consideration that are based on milestone achievements in the form of rebates, discounts or incentives. The Company makes judgments to determine whether the variable consideration is probable of occurring and should be included in the estimated transaction price at the beginning of the period to apply a more consistent rate throughout the year based on an analysis of historical experience with the customer, forecasted shipments and other economic indicators. The Company adjusts the estimate on a quarterly basis.

Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss). For financial reporting purposes, foreign subsidiaries maintain records in U.S. dollars, which is the functional currency. The dollar is the currency that reflects the economic substance of the underlying events and circumstances relevant to the entity. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Mexican pesos (“pesos” or “Ps.”) are remeasured into U.S. dollars (“dollars”) using current exchange rates. The difference between the exchange rate on the date of the transaction and the exchange rate on the settlement date, or balance sheet date if not settled, is included in the income statement as foreign exchange gain or loss.

Accounts Receivable, net. Accounts receivable are net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts as determined by historical experience and adjusted for economic uncertainties, known trends, and reasonable supportable forecasts. Accounts are charged to the allowance when a customer enters bankruptcy, when an account has been transferred to a collection agent or submitted for legal action, or when a customer is significantly past due and all available means of collection have been exhausted. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the allowance for estimated credit losses was $12.2 million and $12.1 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, bad debt expense was $8.7 million, $3.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Derivative Instruments. Derivatives are measured at fair value and recorded on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded either through current earnings or as other comprehensive income (loss), depending on hedge designation. Gains and losses on derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) and are reclassified into earnings in the periods in which earnings are impacted by the variability of the cash flow of the hedged item.

Property and Equipment (including Concession Assets). KCS capitalizes costs for self-constructed additions and improvements to property including direct labor and material, indirect costs, and interest during long-term construction projects. For purchased assets, all costs necessary to make the asset ready for its intended use are capitalized. Expenditures that significantly increase asset values, productive capacity, efficiency, safety or extend useful lives are capitalized. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The Company has a process to determine which costs qualify for capitalization, which requires judgment.

group method of depreciation applies a composite rate to classes of similar assets rather than to individual assets. Composite depreciation rates are based upon the Company’s estimates of the expected average useful lives of assets as well as expected net salvage value at the end of their useful lives. In developing these estimates, the Company utilizes periodic depreciation studies performed by an independent engineering firm. Depreciation rate studies are performed at least every three years for equipment and at least six years for road property (rail, ties, ballast, etc.). The Company completed depreciation studies for KCSR in 2021 and KCSM in 2020. The impact of the KCSR study resulted in approximately $12.0 million in additional depreciation expense in 2022. The impact of the KCSM study was immaterial to the consolidated financial results for all periods presented.

Under the group method of depreciation, the cost of railroad property and equipment (net of salvage or sales proceeds) retired or replaced in the normal course of business is charged to accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recognized. Gains or losses on dispositions of land or non-group property and abnormal retirements of railroad property are recognized through income. A retirement of railroad property would be considered abnormal if the cause of the retirement is unusual in nature, is significant in amount, and varies significantly from the retirement profile identified through the depreciation studies.

.Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets, including property and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets and intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment and written down to fair value when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the long-lived assets, the carrying value would be reduced to the estimated fair value. Future cash flow estimates for an impairment review would be based on the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which are the Company’s U.S. and Mexican operations. During the year ended December 31, 2020, $13.6 million of expense was recognized related to costs previously capitalized for the development of internal-use software. The development of the software was cancelled prior to completion and had no further use. Other than the abnormal impairment related to the implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading (“PSR”) for the year ended 2020, and the aforementioned software impairment, management did not identify any indicators of impairment for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Leases. The Company leases transportation equipment, as well as office and other operating facilities, under various finance and operating leases. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the implicit rate is not readily determinable in most of the Company’s lease agreements, the Company uses its estimated secured incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of approximately 1 year to 7 years, which may include the option to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise that option. The Company does not separately identify lease and nonlease components (i.e. maintenance costs) except for fleet vehicles and real estate. The Company does not have lease agreements with residual value guarantees, sale leaseback terms or material restrictive covenants. Additionally, short-term leases and leases with variable lease costs are immaterial, and the Company does not have any sublease arrangements.

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in business combinations. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the goodwill balance was $13.2 million, which is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed at least annually, or more frequently as indicators warrant, for impairment. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the reporting units’ fair values. The Company performed its annual impairment review for goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2022 and 2021, and concluded there was no impairment.

Investments and Impairment. The Company reviews equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment may not be recoverable in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This determination requires significant judgment. In making this judgment, the Company considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence in evaluating potential impairment of these investments. If it is determined that an indicator of impairment exists, the Company assesses whether the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. If the carrying value of the investment exceeds its fair value, the Company will evaluate, among other factors, general market conditions, the duration and extent to which the carrying value is greater than the fair value, and KCS’s intent and ability to hold, or plans to sell, the investment. The Company also considers specific adverse conditions related to the financial health of and business outlook for the investee, including industry and sector performance, changes in technology, and operational and financing cash flow factors. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new carrying basis in the investment is established. No impairment charges were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Non-financial assets and liabilities are recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to recognition in the financial statements only in certain circumstances. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based upon the observability of inputs. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Environmental Liabilities. The Company recognizes liabilities for remediation and restoration costs when the Company’s obligation is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation and restoration are not discounted to their present value. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable. Costs of ongoing compliance activities related to current operations are expensed as incurred.

Personal Injury Claims. Personal injury claims in excess of self-insurance levels are insured up to certain coverage amounts, depending on the type of claim and year of occurrence. The Company’s personal injury liability is based on actuarial studies performed on an undiscounted basis by an independent third party actuarial firm and reviewed by management. The liability is based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Adjustments to the liability are reflected as operating expenses in the period in which the adjustments are known. Legal fees related to personal injury claims are recognized in operating expense in the period incurred.

Health and Welfare and Postemployment Benefits. The Company provides certain medical, life and other postemployment benefits to certain active employees and retirees. The Company uses actuaries to assist management in measuring the benefit obligation and cost based on the current plan provisions, employee demographics, and assumptions about financial and demographic factors affecting the probability, timing and amount of expected future benefit payments. Significant assumptions include the discount rate, rate of increase in compensation levels, and the health care cost trend rate. Actuarial gains and losses determined at the measurement date (December 31) are recognized immediately in the consolidated statements of income.

Share-Based Compensation. The Company accounted for all share-based compensation in accordance with fair value recognition provisions. Under this method, compensation expense was measured at grant date fair value and recognized over the requisite service period in which the award was earned. Forfeitures were recognized as they occurred. The Company had historically issued treasury stock to settle share-based awards.

Income Taxes. Deferred income tax effects of transactions reported in different periods for financial reporting and income tax return purposes are recognized under the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. This method gives consideration to the future tax consequences of the deferred income tax items and immediately recognizes changes in income tax laws in the year of enactment.

The Company has recognized a deferred tax asset, net of a valuation allowance, for net operating loss and capital loss carryovers. The Company projects sufficient future taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset recorded less the valuation allowance. These projections take into consideration assumptions about future income, future capital expenditures and inflation rates. If assumptions or actual conditions change, the deferred tax asset, net of the valuation allowance, will be adjusted to properly reflect the expected tax benefit.