Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

NOTE 11.     INCOME TAXES

Our effective income tax rates were 30.8% and 31.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to 29.5% and 30.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The increase in our effective income tax rate for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the same periods of the prior year were due primarily to lower tax benefits recognized in connection with the expiration of certain statutes of limitations and with U.S. manufacturing activities. These unfavorable impacts were partly offset by federal research and development tax incentives available during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, but not available during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.