Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

(12) Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

We are exposed to various risks relating to our ongoing business operations. Among these risks are foreign currency exchange rate risk and interest rate risk, which are managed through the use of derivative instruments. In certain circumstances, we enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts (“forward contracts”) to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates on our cash flows denominated in foreign currencies. Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our Long-Term Debt obligations. We have historically managed interest rate risk through the use of a combination of fixed and variable rate borrowings and interest rate swap agreements. In accordance with current accounting guidance on derivative instruments and hedging activities, we record all of our derivative instruments as either an asset or liability measured at their fair value.

The €300.0 ($434.8) Notes and the €200.0 ($289.6) Notes were designated as economic hedges of our net investment in our foreign subsidiaries with a Euro functional currency as of June 30, 2011. For derivatives designated as an economic hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, the gain or loss associated with foreign currency translation is recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of taxes. As of June 30, 2011, we had a $90.3 unrealized loss included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of taxes, as the net investment hedge was deemed effective.

Our forward contracts are not designated as hedges. Consequently, any gain or loss resulting from the change in fair value is recognized in the current period earnings. These gains or losses are offset by the exposure related to receivables and payables with our foreign subsidiaries and to interest due on our Euro-denominated notes, which is paid annually in June. We recorded an insignificant gain associated with our forward contracts in Interest and Other Expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, which offset the losses recorded for the items noted above.

The fair value measurements of those items recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	June 30, 2011		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Available-for-sale security	$	0.4	$	0.4	$	-	$	-
Deferred compensation plan assets		46.3		46.3		-		-
	$	46.7	$	46.7	$	-	$	-

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	December 31, 2010		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Available-for-sale security	$	0.4	$	0.4	$	-	$	-
Foreign currency forward contracts		0.1		-		0.1		-
Deferred compensation plan assets		40.3		40.3		-		-
	$	40.8	$	40.7	$	0.1	$	-

The carrying value of Long-Term Debt approximates fair value, except for the Euro-denominated notes. The fair value of the Euro-denominated notes was $740.9 and $686.3 as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $724.4 and $668.3, respectively.

- Definition

This element can be used to disclose the entity's entire derivative instruments and hedging activities disclosure as a single block of text. Describes an entity's risk management strategies, derivatives in hedging activities and non-hedging derivative instruments, the assets, obligations, liabilities, revenues and expenses arising there from, and the amounts of and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts of such items. Also represents the complete disclosure regarding the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments, assets, and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the Company is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risk is are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ Details