Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Inventories

Inventories

Note 4. Inventories

Our inventories are primarily stated on the LIFO method, which is not in excess of market. We use the LIFO method of inventory valuation because it results in a better matching of costs and revenues. The cost of inventories stated on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method is not in excess of net realizable value.

Inventories consisted of the following:

	December 31,		December 31,
	2019		2018
	(in millions)
LIFO inventories - cost on FIFO method	$	1,387.7	$	1,737.3
Cost on FIFO method higher than LIFO value		(137.6)		(293.6)
Inventories - stated on LIFO method		1,250.1		1,443.7
Inventories - stated on FIFO method		395.6		373.4
	$	1,645.7	$	1,817.1

The changes in the LIFO inventory valuation reserve and impact of LIFO liquidations were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
	(in millions)
LIFO inventory valuation reserve adjustment (income) charge	$	(156.0)	$	271.8	$	73.3
Liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities that decreased cost of sales		(11.6)		**		**

** Insignificant liquidations of LIFO inventory quantities.

Cost decreases for the majority of our products were the primary cause of the 2019 LIFO inventory valuation reserve adjustment income. Cost increases for the majority of our products were the primary cause of the 2018 and 2017 LIFO inventory valuation reserve adjustment charges.