Note 4. Fair Value Measurements

The following tables set forth, by level, the Company’s assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.


	Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2013
	Quoted Prices in		Significant
	Active Markets		Other		Significant
	for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
	(In millions)
Assets:
Inventories carried at market	$	-	$	4,746	$	2,022	$	6,768
Unrealized derivative gains:
Commodity contracts		1,230		757		223		2,210
Foreign exchange contracts		-		181		-		181
Interest rate contracts		-		1		-		1
Marketable securities		2,045		17		-		2,062
Deferred receivables consideration		-		597		-		597
Total Assets	$	3,275	$	6,299	$	2,245	$	11,819

Liabilities:
Unrealized derivative losses:
Commodity contracts	$	1,445	$	634	$	171	$	2,250
Foreign exchange contracts		-		126		-		126
Inventory-related payables		-		547		216		763
Total Liabilities	$	1,445	$	1,307	$	387	$	3,139


	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
	Quoted Prices in		Significant
	Active Markets		Other		Significant
	for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
	(In millions)
Assets:
Inventories carried at market	$	-	$	5,291	$	1,745	$	7,036
Unrealized derivative gains:
Commodity contracts		1,426		936		143		2,505
Foreign exchange contracts		-		170		-		170
Interest rate contracts		-		1		-		1
Marketable securities		2,451		16		-		2,467
Deferred receivables consideration		-		900		-		900
Total Assets	$	3,877	$	7,314	$	1,888	$	13,079

Liabilities:
Unrealized derivative losses:
Commodity contracts	$	1,600	$	638	$	138	$	2,376
Foreign exchange contracts		-		215		-		215
Inventory-related payables		-		903		33		936
Total Liabilities	$	1,600	$	1,756	$	171	$	3,527

The Company determines fair value based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Three levels are established within the fair value hierarchy that may be used to report fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities include exchange-traded derivative contracts, U.S. treasury securities and certain publicly traded equity securities.

Level 2: Observable inputs, including Level 1 prices that have been adjusted; quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are less active than traded exchanges; and other inputs that are observable or can be substantially corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are a significant component of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. In evaluating the significance of fair value inputs, the Company generally classifies assets or liabilities as Level 3 when their fair value is determined using unobservable inputs that individually or when aggregated with other unobservable inputs, represent more than 10% of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Judgment is required in evaluating both quantitative and qualitative factors in the determination of significance for purposes of fair value level classification. Level 3 amounts can include assets and liabilities whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as assets and liabilities for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

In many cases, a valuation technique used to measure fair value includes inputs from multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level of input that is a significant component of the fair value measurement determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the classification of fair value assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy levels.

The Company’s policy regarding the timing of transfers between levels, including both transfers into and transfers out of Level 3, is to measure and record the transfers at the end of the reporting period. For all periods presented, the Company had no transfers between Levels 1 and 2. Transfers into Level 3 of assets and liabilities previously classified in Level 2 were due to the relative value of unobservable inputs to the total fair value measurement of certain products and derivative contracts rising above the 10% threshold. Transfers out of Level 3 were primarily due to the relative value of unobservable inputs to the total fair value measurement of certain products and derivative contracts falling below the 10% threshold and thus permitting reclassification to Level 2.

The Company uses the market approach valuation technique to measure the majority of its assets and liabilities carried at fair value. Estimated fair values for inventories carried at market are based on exchange-quoted prices, adjusted for differences in local markets, broker or dealer quotations or market transactions in either listed or over-the-counter (OTC) markets. Market valuations for the Company’s inventories are adjusted for location and quality because the exchange-quoted prices represent contracts that have standardized terms for commodity, quantity, future delivery period, delivery location, and commodity quality or grade. Generally, the valuations are based on price information that is observable by market participants, or rely only on insignificant unobservable information. In such cases, the inventory is classified in Level 2. Certain inventories may require management judgment or estimation for a more significant component of the fair value amount. For these inventories, the availability of sufficient third-party information is limited. In such cases, the inventory is classified as Level 3. Changes in the fair value of inventories are recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings as a component of cost of products sold.

The Company’s derivative contracts are measured at fair value including forward commodity purchase and sale contracts, exchange-traded commodity futures and option contracts, and OTC instruments related primarily to agricultural commodities, ocean freight, energy, interest rates, and foreign currencies. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified in Level 1. The majority of the Company’s exchange-traded futures and options contracts are cash-settled on a daily basis and, therefore, are not included in these tables. Fair value for forward commodity purchase and sale contracts is estimated based on exchange-quoted prices adjusted for differences in local markets. These differences are generally determined using inputs from broker or dealer quotations or market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets. When observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the contract, it is classified in Level 2. When unobservable inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the contract is classified in Level 3. Based on historical experience with the Company’s suppliers and customers, the Company’s own credit risk and knowledge of current market conditions, the Company does not view nonperformance risk to be a significant input to fair value for the majority of its forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. However, in certain cases, if the Company believes the nonperformance risk to be a significant input, the Company records estimated fair value adjustments, and classifies the contract in Level 3. Except for certain derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of commodity-related derivatives are recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings as a component of cost of products sold. Changes in the fair value of foreign currency-related derivatives are recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings as a component of net sales and other operating income, cost of products sold, and other (income) expense–net. The effective portions of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged items are recorded in earnings or it is probable the hedged transaction will no longer occur.

The Company’s marketable securities are comprised of U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. government agencies, corporate and municipal debt securities, and equity investments. U.S. Treasury securities and certain publicly traded equity investments are valued using quoted market prices and are classified in Level 1. U.S. government agency obligations, corporate and municipal debt securities and certain equity investments are valued using third-party pricing services and substantially all are classified in Level 2. Security values that are determined using pricing models are classified in Level 3. Unrealized changes in the fair value of available-for-sale marketable securities are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) unless a decline in value is deemed to be other-than-temporary at which point the decline is recorded in earnings.

The Company has deferred consideration under its accounts receivable securitization program (the “Program”) which represents a note receivable from the purchasers under the Program. This amount is reflected in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 15). The Company carries the deferred consideration at fair value determined by calculating the expected amount of cash to be received. The fair value is principally based on observable inputs (a Level 2 measurement) consisting mainly of the face amount of the receivables adjusted for anticipated credit losses and discounted at the appropriate market rate. Payment of deferred consideration is not subject to significant risks other than delinquencies and credit losses on accounts receivable transferred under the program which have historically been insignificant.

The following table present a reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended March 31, 2013.



	Level 3 Fair Value Asset Measurements at
	March 31, 2013
			Commodity
	Inventories		Derivative
	carried at		Contracts		Total
	Market		Gains		Assets
	(In millions)

Balance, December 31, 2012	$	1,745	$	143	$	1,888
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains
included in cost of products sold*		(697)		136		(561)
Purchases		4,684		-		4,684
Sales		(3,700)		-		(3,700)
Settlements		-		(96)		(96)
Transfers into Level 3		40		48		88
Transfers out of Level 3		(50)		(8)		(58)
Ending balance, March 31, 2013	$	2,022	$	223	$	2,245

⃰ Includes gains of $130 million that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to Level 3 assets still held at March 31, 2013.

The following table presents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended March 31, 2013.



	Level 3 Fair Value Liability Measurements at
	March 31, 2013
			Commodity
	Inventory-		Derivative
	related		Contracts		Total
	Payables		Losses		Liabilities
	(In millions)

Balance, December 31, 2012	$	33	$	138	$	171
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses
included in cost of products sold*		10		118		128
Purchases		176		-		176
Sales		(4)		-		(4)
Settlements		-		(102)		(102)
Transfers into Level 3		1		23		24
Transfers out of Level 3		-		(6)		(6)
Ending balance, March 31, 2013	$	216	$	171	$	387

⃰ Includes losses of $117 million that are attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at March 31, 2013.

The following table presents a reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended March 31, 2012.



	Level 3 Fair Value Asset Measurements at
	March 31, 2012
			Commodity
	Inventories		Derivative
	carried at		Contracts		Total
	Market		Gains		Assets
	(In millions)

Balance, December 31, 2011	$	1,624	$	198	$	1,822
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains
included in cost of products sold		41		165		206
Purchases		1,286		-		1,286
Sales		(285)		-		(285)
Settlements		-		(100)		(100)
Transfers into Level 3		72		19		91
Transfers out of Level 3		(1,013)		(50)		(1,063)
Ending balance, March 31, 2012	$	1,725	$	232	$	1,957

The following table presents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended March 31, 2012.



	Level 3 Fair Value Liability Measurements at
	March 31, 2012
			Commodity
	Inventory-		Derivative
	related		Contracts		Total
	Payables		Losses		Liabilities
	(In millions)

Balance, December 31, 2011	$	196	$	192	$	388
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses
included in cost of products sold		-		159		159
Purchases		(1)		-		(1)
Sales		82		-		82
Settlements		-		(141)		(141)
Transfers into Level 3		-		12		12
Transfers out of Level 3		(140)		(38)		(178)
Ending balance, March 31, 2012	$	137	$	184	$	321

Fair values for inventories and commodity purchase and sale contracts are generally estimated based on observable, exchange-quoted futures prices adjusted as needed to arrive at prices in local markets. Exchange-quoted futures prices represent quotes for contracts that have standardized terms for commodity, quantity, future delivery period, delivery location, and commodity quality or grade. In some cases, the price components that result in differences between the exchange-traded prices and the local prices are observable based upon available quotations for these pricing components, and in some cases, the differences are unobservable. These price components primarily include transportation costs and other adjustments required due to location, quality, or other contract terms. In the table below, these other adjustments are referred to as Basis.

The changes in unobservable price components are determined by specific local supply and demand characteristics at each facility and the overall market. Factors such as substitute products, weather, fuel costs, contract terms, and futures prices also impact the movement of these unobservable price components.

The following table sets forth the weighted average percentage of the unobservable price components included in the Company’s Level 3 valuations as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The Company’s Level 3 measurements may include Basis only, transportation cost only, or both price components. As an example, for Level 3 inventories with Basis, the unobservable component is a weighted average 26.9% of the total price for assets and 4.9% for liabilities.



	Weighted Average
	% of Total Price
	March 31, 2013				December 31, 2012
Component Type	Assets		Liabilities		Assets		Liabilities

Inventories
Basis	26.9	%	4.9	%	13.5	%	26.2	%
Transportation cost	24.5	%	10.6	%	8.4	%	9.1	%

Commodity Derivative Contracts
Basis	18.6	%	33.0	%	45.7	%	17.0	%
Transportation cost	10.5	%	15.3	%	16.2	%	7.7	%

In certain of the Company’s principal markets, the Company relies on price quotes from third parties to value its inventories and physical commodity purchase and sale contracts. These price quotes are generally not further adjusted by the Company in determining the applicable market price. In some cases, availability of third-party quotes is limited to only one or two independent sources. In these situations, the Company considers these price quotes as 100 percent unobservable and, therefore, the fair value of these items is reported in Level 3.