Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/114936
Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost generally determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost method. For excess and obsolete inventory resulting from the potential inability to sell specific products at prices in excess of current carrying costs, reserves are maintained to reduce current carrying cost to market prices. Financial Instruments: Our financial instruments consist of cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, other investments, accounts payable, debt and foreign currency exchange contracts. With the exception of our long-term debt, which is discussed in further detail in Note 7, our estimates of fair value for financial instruments approximate their carrying amounts as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. All marketable securities are recognized at fair value. Adjustments to the fair value of marketable securities that are classified as available-for-sale are recorded as increases or decreases, net of income taxes, within accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders��� equity and adjustments to the fair value of marketable securities that are classified as trading are recorded in earnings. The amortized cost of marketable debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and discounts to maturity computed under the effective interest method. Such amortization is included in other income (expense) along with interest and realized gains and losses. The cost of securities sold is determined by the specific identification method. We review declines in the fair value of our investments classified as available-for-sale for impairment to determine whether the decline in fair value is an other-than-temporary impairment. The resulting losses from other-than-temporary impairments of availablefor-sale marketable securities are included in earnings. All derivatives are recognized at fair value. We enter into forward currency exchange contracts to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on transactions denominated in nonfunctional currencies, thereby limiting our risk that would otherwise result from changes in exchange rates. These nonfunctional currency exposures principally relate to intercompany receivables and payables arising from intercompany purchases of manufactured products. The periods of the forward currency exchange contracts correspond to the periods of the exposed transactions, with realized gains and losses included in the measurement and recording of transactions denominated in the nonfunctional currencies. All forward currency exchange contracts are recorded at their fair value each period, with resulting gains (losses) included in earnings. Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by either the straight-line or declining-balance method over the estimated useful lives of 3 to 30 years for buildings and improvements and 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment. During the fourth quarter of 2010, we announced a definitive agreement to sell our OP-1 product family for use in orthopaedic bone applications and the related manufacturing facility in West Lebanon, NH. As a result of the announcement we recorded a $76 (net of taxes) impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the associated assets to their fair value. At December 31, 2010 the assets held for sale included in current assets in our Consolidated Balance sheet totaled $62 ($29 net property, plant and equipment, $25 inventories and $8 other). On February 1, 2011, we completed the sale for total consideration of $60. No material gain or loss was recorded upon the completion of the transaction. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of tangible net assets of acquired businesses at the acquisition date, after amounts allocated to other identifiable intangible assets. Factors that contribute to the recognition of goodwill include securing synergies that are specific to our business and not available to other market participants and are expected to increase revenues and profits; acquisition of a talented workforce; cost savings opportunities; the strategic benefit of expanding our presence in core and adjacent markets; and diversifying our product portfolio. The fair values of other identifiable intangible assets are primarily determined using the income approach. Other intangible assets include, but are not limited to, developed technology, customer relationships (which reflect expected continued customer patronage) and trademarks and patents. Intangible assets with determinable useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 4 to 40 years. In certain of our acquisitions, we acquire in-process research and development (IPRD) intangible assets. IPRD is considered to be an indefinite-lived intangible asset until such time as the research is completed (at which time it becomes a determinable-lived intangible asset) or determined to have no future use (at which time it is impaired). Goodwill, Intangibles and Long-Lived Asset Impairment Tests: We perform our annual impairment test for goodwill in the fourth quarter of each year. We have adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-08, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which permits us to consider qualitative indicators of the fair value of a reporting unit when it is unlikely that a reporting unit has impaired goodwill. In certain circumstances, we may also utilize a discounted cash flow analysis that requires certain assumptions and estimates be made regarding market conditions and our future profitability. Indefinitelived intangible assets are also tested at least annually for impairment by comparing the individual carrying values to the fair value. We review long-lived assets for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. Undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the related assets are estimated over the asset's useful life based on updated projections. If the evaluation 27 Dollar amounts in millions except per share amounts or as otherwise specified