Income taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income taxes

Note 4 – Income taxes

		Three Months				Six Months
		Ended June 30,				Ended June 30,
		2012		2011		2012		2011
Continuing operations
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (in millions)	$	(10.1)		5.6		6.1		17.0
Effective tax rate		(45.9)	%	35.9	%	9.8	%	33.2	%

2012 Compared to U.S. Statutory Rate

The effective income tax rate on continuing operations in the first six months of 2012was lower than the 35% U.S. statutory tax rate largely due toa$21 million non-cash income tax benefit as a result of the Company changing its funding strategy for retiree health care obligations (as described below),partially offset by higher taxes due to the geographical mix of earnings, withholding taxes, and the characterization of a French business tax as an income tax.

The Company changed its funding strategy for certain retiree health care obligations and, as a result, no longer expects to be affected by an income tax deduction limitation enacted by The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (“the Act”).  The Act disallows deductions for prescription drug benefit costs funded after December 31, 2012, to the extent these costs are reimbursed by a “Medicare Part D Subsidy.”  

2011 Compared to U.S. Statutory Rate

The effective income tax rate on continuing operations in the first six months of 2011 was lower than the 35% U.S. statutory tax rate largely due to a $2.8 million benefit for changes in legislation in various jurisdictions and tax claims and audit settlements, partially offset by higher taxes due to the geographical mix of earnings and the characterization of a French business tax as an income tax.

		Three Months				Six Months
		Ended June 30,				Ended June 30,
		2012		2011		2012		2011
Continuing operations
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (in millions)	$	(10.1)		5.6		6.1		17.0
Effective tax rate		(45.9)	%	35.9	%	9.8	%	33.2	%

2012 Compared to U.S. Statutory Rate

The effective income tax rate on continuing operations in the first six months of 2012was lower than the 35% U.S. statutory tax rate largely due toa$21 million non-cash income tax benefit as a result of the Company changing its funding strategy for retiree health care obligations (as described below),partially offset by higher taxes due to the geographical mix of earnings, withholding taxes, and the characterization of a French business tax as an income tax.

The Company changed its funding strategy for certain retiree health care obligations and, as a result, no longer expects to be affected by an income tax deduction limitation enacted by The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (“the Act”).  The Act disallows deductions for prescription drug benefit costs funded after December 31, 2012, to the extent these costs are reimbursed by a “Medicare Part D Subsidy.”  

2011 Compared to U.S. Statutory Rate

The effective income tax rate on continuing operations in the first six months of 2011 was lower than the 35% U.S. statutory tax rate largely due to a $2.8 million benefit for changes in legislation in various jurisdictions and tax claims and audit settlements, partially offset by higher taxes due to the geographical mix of earnings and the characterization of a French business tax as an income tax.