Air Products and Chemicals - 10-Q quarterly report FY

(Mark One)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

Refer to the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K for a description of major accounting policies. There have been no material changes to these accounting policies during the first three months of 2010 other than those detailed in Note 2.

The consolidated financial statements of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company,” “Air Products,” or “registrant”) included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying statements reflect adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for those periods indicated, and contain adequate disclosure to make the information presented not misleading. Adjustments included herein are of a normal, recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed in the Notes. The interim results for the periods indicated herein, however, do not reflect certain adjustments, such as the valuation of inventories on the LIFO cost basis, which can only be finally determined on an annual basis. The consolidated financial statements and related Notes included herein should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s latest Form 10-K in order to fully understand the basis of presentation. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through 26 January 2010, the date the consolidated financial statements included in this report on Form 10-Q were issued. There were no subsequent events required to be recognized or disclosed in the financial statements.

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued authoritative guidance to affirm that the acquisition method of accounting (previously referred to as the purchase method) be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. This guidance defines the acquirer as the entity that obtains control of one or more businesses in the business combination and establishes the acquisition date as the date that the acquirer achieves control. Among other requirements, the guidance requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize at full fair value all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction. If a business combination is achieved in stages, the previously-held ownership interest is adjusted to fair value at the acquisition date, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in earnings. Contingent consideration is recognized at fair value at the acquisition date, and restructuring and acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The fair value of assets and liabilities acquired, including uncertain tax positions, can be adjusted during the measurement period. Any adjustments after the measurement period, which cannot exceed one year, will be recognized in earnings. This guidance was effective for the Company on 1 October 2009 and will be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended 31 December 2009, the Company did not enter into any significant business combinations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that establishes the accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It requires entities to report noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries separately within equity in the consolidated balance sheets. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated statement of income, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests. Changes in a parent’s ownership interests while the parent retains control are treated as equity transactions. If a parent loses control of a subsidiary, any retained noncontrolling interests would be measured at fair value with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. This guidance was effective for the Company on 1 October 2009 and will be applied prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements related to noncontrolling interests, which are applied retrospectively for

all periods presented. The Company’s financial statements have been updated to reflect the new presentation. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

In September 2006, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Effective 1 October 2008, the Company adopted this guidance for financial assets and liabilities and any other assets and liabilities that are recognized and disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. The requirement for other nonfinancial assets and liabilities was effective on 1 October 2009 for the Company. The adoption of this guidance did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements. During the three months ended 31 December 2009, the Company did not measure any significant nonfinancial assets or nonfinancial liabilities at fair value.

In December 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to require employers to provide additional disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit or other postretirement plan. Disclosures include information about investment policies and strategies, major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, and significant concentrations of risk. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning with its fiscal year-end 2010. Upon initial application, this guidance is not required to be applied to earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. This guidance only requires additional disclosure and will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that amends previous guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity (VIE). It requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the Company’s variable interests give it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. A company would be required to assess whether it has an implicit financial responsibility to ensure that a VIE operates as designed when determining whether it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. In addition, ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE are required. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. This new guidance amends the existing criteria for separating consideration received in multiple-deliverable arrangements and requires that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables based on their relative selling price. The guidance establishes a hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable which is based on vendor-specific objective evidence, third-party evidence, or management estimates. Expanded disclosures related to multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements are also required. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning fiscal year 2011, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, the guidance may be applied either prospectively from the beginning of the fiscal year for new or materially modified arrangements, or it may be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

In the first quarter of 2009, the results from continuing operations included a charge of $174.2 ($116.1 after-tax, or $.55 per share) for the global cost reduction plan. For additional information on this charge, as well as a subsequent charge for the plan in the third quarter of 2009, refer to the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K.

The planned actions associated with the global cost reduction plan are expected to be substantially completed within one year of when the related charges were recognized. As of 31 December 2009, the majority of the planned actions associated with the first quarter 2009 charge were completed, with the exception of certain position eliminations and/or associated benefit payments. These actions are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2010.

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company revised its estimate of the costs associated with the 2009 global cost reduction plan. The unfavorable impact of additional severance and other benefits was offset by a favorable variance related to completed

business exits and asset management actions. The adjustment to the charge was excluded from segment operating profit and did not have a material impact on any individual segment.

The following table summarizes changes to the carrying amount of the accrual for the global cost reduction plan:

In fiscal 2009, the Company completed the divestiture of its U.S. Healthcare business which has been accounted for as discontinued operations. For additional historical information on this divestiture, refer to the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K.

In the first quarter of 2009, the U.S. Healthcare business generated sales of $48.2 and income from operations, net of tax, of $.7. In addition, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $48.7 ($30.9 after-tax, or $.15 per share) reflecting a revision in the estimated net realizable value of the U.S. Healthcare business. Also, a tax benefit of $8.8, or $.04 per share, was recorded to revise the estimated tax benefit related to previously recognized impairment charges. Assets and liabilities classified as discontinued operations for the U.S. Healthcare business were $4.2 and $8.9, respectively, at 31 December 2009 and $5.0 and $14.4, respectively, at 30 September 2009.

The components of inventories are as follows:

FIFO cost approximates replacement cost. The Company’s inventories have a high turnover, and as a result, there is little difference between the original cost of an item and its current replacement cost.

Changes to the carrying amount of consolidated goodwill by segment for the three months ended 31 December 2009 are as follows:

Goodwill is subject to impairment testing at least annually. In addition, goodwill is tested more frequently if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that potential impairment exists.

The Company’s earnings, cash flows, and financial position are exposed to foreign currency risk from foreign currency denominated transactions and net investments in foreign operations. It is the policy of the Company to minimize its cash flow volatility to changes in currency exchange rates. This is accomplished by identifying and evaluating the risk that the Company’s cash flows will change in value due to changes in exchange rates and by determining the appropriate strategies necessary to manage such exposures. The Company’s objective is to maintain economically balanced currency risk management strategies that provide adequate downside protection.

The Company enters into forward exchange contracts to reduce the cash flow exposure to foreign currency fluctuations associated with highly anticipated cash flows and certain firm commitments such as the purchase of plant and equipment. Forward exchange contracts are also used to hedge the value of investments in certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates by creating a liability in a currency in which the Company has a net equity position.

In addition to the foreign exchange contracts that are designated as hedges, the Company also hedges foreign currency exposures utilizing forward exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges. These contracts are used to hedge foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities, primarily working capital. The primary objective of these forward contracts is to protect the value of foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities from the effects of volatility in foreign exchange rates that might occur prior to their receipt or settlement.

In certain limited situations, the Company enters into option contracts to manage cash flow exposures to foreign currency fluctuations. Similar to forward contracts, these instruments are evaluated for hedge accounting treatment and are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. As of 31 December 2009 and 30 September 2009, there were no outstanding option contracts.

The table below summarizes the Company’s outstanding currency price risk management instruments:

In addition to the above, the Company uses foreign currency denominated debt and qualifying intercompany loans to hedge the foreign currency exposures of the Company’s net investment in certain foreign affiliates. The designated foreign currency denominated debt includes €1,013.0 at 31 December 2009 and 30 September 2009. The designated intercompany loans include €437.0 at 31 December 2009 and 30 September 2009.

It is the policy of the Company to identify on a continuing basis the need for debt capital and evaluate the financial risks inherent in funding the Company with debt capital. Reflecting the result of this ongoing review, the debt portfolio and hedging program of the Company are managed with the objectives and intent to (1) reduce funding risk with respect to borrowings made by the Company to preserve the Company’s access to debt capital and provide debt capital as required for funding and liquidity purposes, and (2) manage the aggregate interest rate risk and the debt portfolio in accordance with certain debt management parameters.

The Company enters into interest rate swap contracts to change the fixed/variable interest rate mix of its debt portfolio in order to maintain the percentage of fixed- and variable-rate debt within the parameters set by management. In accordance with these parameters, the agreements are used to optimize interest rate risks and costs inherent in the Company’s debt portfolio. In addition, the Company also uses interest rate swap agreements to hedge the interest rate on anticipated fixed-rate debt issuance. The notional amount of the interest rate swap agreements are equal to or less than the designated debt instrument being hedged. When variable-rate debt is hedged, the variable-rate indices of the swap instruments and the debt to which they are designated are the same. It is the Company’s policy not to enter into any interest rate swap contracts which lever a move in interest rates on a greater than one-to-one basis.

The Company also enters into cross currency interest rate swap contracts. These contracts may entail both the exchange of fixed- and floating-rate interest payments periodically over the life of the agreement and the exchange of one currency for another currency at inception and at a specified future date. These contracts effectively convert the currency denomination of a debt instrument into another currency in which the Company has a net equity position while changing the interest rate characteristics of the instrument. The contracts are used to hedge intercompany and third-party borrowing transactions and certain net investments in foreign operations.

The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding interest rate swaps and cross currency interest rate swaps:

The Company has entered into a limited number of commodity swap contracts in order to reduce the cash flow exposure to changes in the price of natural gas relative to certain oil-based feedstocks. As of 31 December 2009, the Company did not have outstanding commodity swap contracts. At 30 September 2009, the Company had outstanding contracts hedging the changes in the market price of energy with a notional value of $18.5 and with an average maturity of .2 years.

The table below summarizes the fair value and balance sheet location of the Company’s outstanding derivatives:

Refer to Note 8, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, describes the method for measuring fair value, provides additional disclosures regarding fair value measurements, and discusses the Company’s counterparty risk.

The table below summarizes the gain or loss related to the Company’s cash flow, net investment, and non-designated hedges. The amounts of gain or loss associated with the outstanding fair value hedges are not material.

Certain derivative instruments are executed under agreements that require the Company to maintain a credit rating of at least A- from Standard & Poor’s and A3 from Moody’s. If the Company’s credit rating falls below these levels, the counterparty to the derivative instruments has the right to request full collateralization on the derivatives’ net liability position. The net liability position of derivatives with credit risk-related contingent features was $23.0 as of 31 December 2009 and $35.0 as of 30 September 2009. Because of the Company’s current credit rating of A from Standard & Poor’s and A2 from Moody’s, no collateral has been posted on these liability positions.

The Company executes all derivative transactions with counterparties that are highly rated financial institutions and all of which are investment grade at this time. Some of the Company’s underlying derivative agreements give the Company the right to require the institution to post collateral if its credit rating falls below A- from Standard & Poor’s or A3 from Moody’s. These are the same agreements referenced in Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features above. The collateral that the counterparties would be required to post was $4.3 as of 31 December 2009 and $14.7 as of 30 September 2009. No financial institution is required to post collateral at this time, as all have credit ratings at or above the threshold.

Fair value is defined as an exit price (i.e., the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date). The methods and assumptions used to measure the fair value of financial instruments are as follows:

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements and foreign exchange contracts are based on estimates using standard pricing models that take into account the present value of future cash flows as of the balance sheet date. The computation of the fair values of these instruments is generally performed by the Company. These standard pricing models utilize inputs which are derived from or corroborated by observable market data such as interest rate yield curves and currency spot and forward rates. In addition, on an ongoing basis, the Company randomly tests a subset of its valuations against valuations received from the counterparty to the transaction to validate the accuracy of its standard pricing models. The fair value of commodity swaps is based on current market price as provided by the financial institutions with which the commodity swaps have been executed. Counterparties to these derivative contracts are highly rated financial institutions.

The fair value of other investments is based on quoted market prices in publicly traded companies from the New York and Tokyo Stock Exchanges. Other investments are reported within other noncurrent assets on the balance sheet.

The fair value of the Company’s debt is based on estimates using standard pricing models that take into account the present value of future cash flows as of the balance sheet date, and these standard valuation models utilize observable market data such as interest rate yield curves and currency spot rates. The computation of the fair value of these instruments is generally performed by the Company.

The carrying values and fair values of financial instruments were as follows:

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash items, trade receivables, payables and accrued liabilities, accrued income taxes, and short-term borrowings approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Accordingly, these items have been excluded from the above table.

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels as follows:

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets:

Refer to Note 1 in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K and Note 7 in this quarterly filing for additional information on the Company’s accounting and reporting of the fair value of financial instruments.

The components of net pension cost for the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit cost for the three months ended 31 December 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

Special termination benefits for the three months ended 31 December 2009 and 2008 included $3.5 and $14.2 for the global cost reduction plan, respectively.

For the three months ended 31 December 2009 and 2008, the Company’s cash contributions to funded plans and benefit payments under unfunded plans were $255.7 and $42.6, respectively. Total contributions for fiscal 2010 are expected to be approximately $360. During fiscal 2009, total contributions were $184.8.

The Company is involved in various legal proceedings, including competition, environmental, health, safety, product liability, and insurance matters. During the third quarter of 2008, a unit of the Brazilian Ministry of Justice issued a report (previously issued in January 2007, and then withdrawn) on its investigation of the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary, Air Products Brasil Ltda., and several other Brazilian industrial gas companies. The report recommended that the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense impose sanctions on Air Products Brasil Ltda. and the other industrial gas companies for alleged anticompetitive activities. The Company is actively defending this action and cannot, at this time, reasonably predict the ultimate outcome of the proceedings or sanctions, if any, that will be imposed. While the Company does not expect that any sums it may have to pay in connection with this or any other legal proceeding would have a materially adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or net cash flows, a future charge for regulatory fines or damage awards could have a significant impact on the Company’s net income in the period in which it is recorded.

Accruals for environmental loss contingencies are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The consolidated balance sheets at 31 December 2009 and 30 September 2009 included an accrual of $93.3 and $95.0, respectively, primarily as part of other noncurrent liabilities. The environmental liabilities will be paid over a period of up to 30 years. The Company estimates the exposure for environmental loss contingencies to range from $93 to a reasonably possible upper exposure of $107 as of 31 December 2009.

During the first quarter of 2009, management committed to a plan to sell the production facility in Paulsboro, New Jersey and recognized a $16.0 environmental liability associated with this site. In December 2009, the Company completed the sale of this facility. The Company is required by the New Jersey state law to investigate and, if contaminated, remediate a site upon its sale. The Company estimates that it will take at least several years to complete the investigation/remediation efforts at this site.

Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K for information on the Company’s environmental accruals related to the Pace, Florida, Piedmont, S.C., and Paulsboro, N.J. facilities. At 31 December 2009, the

accrual balances associated with the Pace, Florida, Piedmont, S.C., and Paulsboro, N.J. facilities totaled $37.7, $22.1, and $15.7, respectively.

The Company has various share-based compensation programs, which include stock options, deferred stock units, and restricted shares. During the three months ended 31 December 2009, the Company granted 1.0 million stock options at a weighted-average exercise price of $83.60 and an estimated fair value of $25.94 per option. The fair value of these options was estimated using a lattice-based option valuation model that used the following assumptions: expected volatility of 32.6%; expected dividend yield of 2.1%; expected life in years of 6.7-8.0; and a risk-free interest rate of 2.9%-3.3%. In addition, the Company granted 241,606 deferred stock units at a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $83.58 and 30,886 restricted shares at a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $83.60. Refer to Note 18 in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K for information on the valuation and accounting for these programs.

Share-based compensation cost charged against income in the three months ended 31 December 2009 was $7.7 ($4.8 after-tax). Of the share-based compensation cost recognized, $5.7 was a component of selling and administrative expense, $1.6 a component of cost of sales, and $.4 a component of research and development. Share-based compensation cost charged against income in the three months ended 31 December 2008 was $17.5 ($10.7 after-tax). The amount of share-based compensation cost capitalized in 2010 and 2009 was not material.

The following is a summary of the changes in total equity for the three months ended 31 December:

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS):

As a result of events which occurred during the third quarter of 2009, the Company recognized a $22.2 charge primarily for the write-off of certain receivables due to a customer bankruptcy. This customer, who principally receives product from the Tonnage Gases segment, began operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 6 January 2009. Sales and operating income associated with this customer are not material to the Tonnage Gases segment’s results. At 31 December 2009, the Company had remaining outstanding receivables with the customer of $16.3. At the present time, the Company does not expect to recognize additional charges related to this customer.

On 20 September 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock. In the first quarter of 2010, the Company did not purchase any shares under this authorization. At 31 December 2009, $649.2 in share repurchase authorization remains.

The Company’s segments are organized based on differences in product and/or type of customer. The Company has four business segments consisting of Merchant Gases, Tonnage Gases, Electronics and Performance Materials, and Equipment and Energy.

Geographic information is based on country of origin. The Europe segment operates principally in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the U.K., and Spain. The Asia segment operates principally in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

The disclosures in this quarterly report are complementary to those made in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K. An analysis of results for the first quarter of 2010 is provided in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis to follow.

All comparisons in the discussion are to the corresponding prior year unless otherwise stated. All amounts presented are in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, except as noted. All amounts are presented in millions of dollars, except for share data, unless otherwise indicated.

Unless otherwise indicated, captions such as income from continuing operations attributable to Air Products and net income attributable to Air Products are simply referred to as “income from continuing operations” and “net income” throughout this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Sales of $2,173.5 decreased 1% or $21.8. Energy and raw material contractual cost pass-through to customers reduced sales by 7% due to significantly lower natural gas prices. Currency favorably impacted sales by 4%, due to the weaker U.S. dollar. Underlying business increased 2% due to higher volumes in the Tonnage and Electronics and Performance Materials segments. Volume performance in the Merchant Gases segment decreased, with declines in the U.S. and Europe more than offsetting strength in Asia.

Operating income of $345.0 increased $230.9.

Income from equity affiliates of $26.9 increased $2.4.

S&A expense of $244.1 decreased 1%, or $2.9. S&A as a percent of sales decreased to 11.2% from 11.3%. Reduced costs, due primarily to cost reduction efforts, were offset partially by unfavorable currency.

R&D expense of $27.2 decreased 18%, or $6.0, primarily due to the impact of cost reduction actions. R&D, as a percent of sales, decreased from 1.5% to 1.3%.

In the first quarter of 2009, the results from continuing operations included a charge of $174.2 ($116.1 after-tax, or $.55 per share) for the global cost reduction plan. For additional information on this charge, as well as a subsequent charge for the plan in the third quarter of 2009, refer to the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K.

The planned actions associated with the global cost reduction plan are expected to be substantially completed within one year of when the related charges were recognized. As of 31 December 2009, the majority of the planned actions associated with the first quarter 2009 charge were completed, with the exception of certain position eliminations and/or associated benefit payments. These actions are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2010.

Cost savings of approximately $155 are expected for 2010. Beyond 2010, the Company expects annualized savings of approximately $180, of which the majority is related to personnel costs.

Items recorded to other income arise from transactions and events not directly related to the principal income earning activities of the Company.

Other income of $11.4 increased $8.5, primarily due to foreign exchange losses in the prior year. Otherwise, no individual items were significant in comparison to the prior year.

Interest incurred decreased $5.3. The decrease was primarily driven by lower average interest rates on variable rate debt, partially offset by a higher average debt balance and the impact of a weaker dollar on the translation of foreign currency interest.

The effective tax rate equals the income tax provision divided by income from continuing operations before taxes less noncontrolling interests. The effective tax rate was 24.9% and 7.3% in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The effective tax rate was higher in 2010 as tax credits had a lower relative impact due to higher taxable income. The global cost reduction charge in 2009 significantly reduced income from continuing operations before taxes.

In fiscal 2009, the Company completed the divestiture of its U.S. Healthcare business which has been accounted for as discontinued operations. For additional historical information on this divestiture, refer to the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K.

In the first quarter of 2009, the U.S. Healthcare business generated sales of $48.2 and income from operations, net of tax, of $.7. In addition, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $48.7 ($30.9 after-tax, or $.15 per share) reflecting a revision in the estimated net realizable value of the U.S. Healthcare business. Also, a tax benefit of $8.8, or $.04 per share, was recorded to revise the estimated tax benefit related to previously recognized impairment charges.

Net income was $251.8 compared to $68.6. Diluted earnings per share was $1.16 compared to $.32. A summary table of changes in earnings per share is presented on page 21.

Sales of $933.6 increased 1%, or $8.4. Sales increased 6% from favorable currency effects, driven primarily by the weakening of the U.S. dollar. Volumes declined 5% due to lower demand in North America and Europe more than offsetting volume increases in Asia.

In North America, sales decreased 11%, with volumes down 9% and price down 2%. Volumes in the first two months of the prior year first quarter were relatively strong as the global economic crisis impacted volumes late in the first quarter. The price decline was due to lower surcharge activity and lower liquid hydrogen pricing. In Europe, sales increased 6%, primarily due to favorable currency impacts of 9%. Volumes unfavorably impacted sales by 4%, with price adding 1%. The unfavorable impact of the weak manufacturing environment was partially offset by increased pricing and Healthcare volumes. In Asia, sales increased 13%, with volumes up 11% and a favorable currency impact of 5%. Lower pricing decreased sales by 3%. Volumes continued to improve across Asia, driven by steel and electronics customers. The price decline is principally in liquid argon as increased capacity came on-stream in the region.

Operating income of $189.6 increased 11%, or $19.1. The increase was primarily due to higher pricing and lower costs of $26 and favorable currency of $12, partially offset by reduced volume of $19. The improved costs were a result of global cost actions focused on workforce reduction, distribution efficiency, and reduced plant operating costs.

Sales of $697.9 decreased 6%, or $46.1. Lower energy and raw material contractual cost pass-through to customers due to lower natural gas prices reduced sales by 21%. Volumes increased 11% due to continued improvement in steel and chemical customers and new plants coming on-stream. Currency favorably impacted sales by 4%, driven primarily by the weakening of the U.S. dollar.

Operating income of $100.2 decreased 8%, or $8.6. The decline was a result of lower operating efficiencies and higher planned maintenance costs of $34, partially offset by increased volumes of $23 and favorable currency impacts of $2.

Sales of $433.4 increased 7%, or $26.8, due to higher volumes of 11% and favorable currency impacts of 2%. These increases were partially offset by unfavorable pricing of 6%. Electronics sales were down 2% and were impacted by lower prices and lower services and equipment sales. Performance Materials sales increased 18%, reflecting increased demand across end markets in Asia.

Operating income of $48.4 increased 97%, or $23.8, primarily due to improved sales volumes and reduced costs due to productivity and cost reduction efforts, partially offset by reduced pricing.

Sales of $108.6 decreased 9%, or $10.9, due to lower project activity. Operating income of $7.8 increased primarily from lower energy development spending, which was partially offset by restructuring costs to close a European manufacturing facility.

The sales backlog for the Equipment business at 31 December 2009 was $327, compared to $239 at 30 September 2009.

Other operating income (loss) includes expense and income that cannot be directly associated with the business segments, including foreign exchange gains and losses, interest income and costs previously allocated to businesses now reported as discontinued operations. Also included are LIFO inventory adjustments, as the business segments use FIFO and the LIFO pool adjustments are not allocated to the business segments. Corporate general and administrative costs and research and development costs are fully allocated to the business segments.

Other operating loss was $(1.0) compared to a loss of $(22.6) primarily due to unfavorable foreign exchange and an unfavorable LIFO inventory adjustment in the prior year. No other individual items were significant in comparison to the prior year.

Refer to Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for details on pension cost and cash contributions. For additional information on the Company’s pension benefits and associated accounting policies, refer to the Pension Benefits section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K.

The narrative below refers to the consolidated statements of cash flows included on page 6.

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $5.3, or 3%. The decrease resulted from unfavorable changes in working capital of $273.9, mostly offset by an increase in net income of $183.2 combined with the favorable impact of noncash adjustments to income of $85.4.

Noncash adjustments include depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, deferred income taxes, and share-based compensation cost. These adjustments also include changes in operating assets, such as noncurrent capital lease receivables, and liabilities which reflect timing differences between the receipt or disbursement of cash and their recognition in earnings.

Changes in working capital resulted in a $273.9 negative cash flow variance and included:

Cash used for investing activities decreased $29.9, due principally to changes in restricted cash of $44.9.

Capital expenditures are detailed in the table below.

Cash used for financing activities increased $206.6, primarily due to a net decrease in borrowings of $237.8, partially offset by higher proceeds of $26.6 from stock option exercises.

Total debt at 31 December 2009 and 30 September 2009, expressed as a percentage of the sum of total debt and total equity, was 46.0% and 47.7%, respectively. Total debt decreased from $4,501.5 at 30 September 2009 to $4,418.7 at 31 December 2009.

The Company’s total multicurrency revolving facility, maturing in May 2011, amounted to $1,450.0 at 31 December 2009. No borrowings were outstanding under these commitments. Additional commitments totaling $449.9 are maintained by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, of which $293.2 were utilized at 31 December 2009.

On 20 September 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock. In the first quarter of 2010, the Company did not purchase any shares under this authorization. At 31 December 2009, $649.2 in share repurchase authorization remained.

The Company is obligated to make future payments under various contracts such as debt agreements, lease agreements, unconditional purchase obligations and other long-term obligations. There have been no material changes to contractual obligations as reflected in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K.

Refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K and Note 10 in this quarterly filing.

There have been no material changes to off-balance sheet arrangements as reflected in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K. The Company is not a primary beneficiary in any material variable interest entity. The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements are not reasonably likely to have a material impact on financial condition, changes in financial condition, and results of operations or liquidity.

The Company’s principal related parties are equity affiliates operating in the industrial gas business. The Company did not engage in any material transactions involving related parties that included terms or other aspects that differ from those which would be negotiated at arm’s length with clearly independent parties.

Information on the Company’s utilization of financial instruments and an analysis of the sensitivity of these instruments to selected changes in market rates and prices is included in the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K.

There were no material changes to market risk sensitivities for interest rate risk on fixed debt, foreign currency exchange rate risk, or commodity price risk since 30 September 2009.

The net financial instrument position decreased from a liability of $4,510 at 30 September 2009 to a liability of $4,362 at 31 December 2009, primarily due to the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar on the translation of foreign currency debt and the impact of higher interest rates on the market value of long-term debt.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based on the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes that have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The significant accounting policies of the Company are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements and the critical accounting policies and estimates are described in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in the 2009 Form 10-K. Information concerning the Company’s implementation and impact of new accounting standards issued by the FASB is included in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. There have been no changes in accounting policy in the current period that had a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, change in financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for information concerning the Company’s implementation and impact of new accounting guidance.

This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date this Report is filed regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including, without limitation, longer than anticipated delay in global economic recovery; renewed deterioration in economic and business conditions; weakening demand for the Company’s products; future financial and operating performance of major customers and industries served by the Company; inability to collect receivables from or recovery of payments made by customers in bankruptcy proceedings; unanticipated contract terminations or customer cancellations or postponement of projects and sales; asset impairments due to economic conditions or specific product or customer events; costs associated with future restructuring actions which are not currently planned or anticipated; the impact of competitive products and pricing; interruption in ordinary sources of supply of raw materials; the ability to recover unanticipated increased energy and raw material costs from customers; costs and outcomes of litigation or regulatory activities; consequences of acts of war or terrorism impacting the United States and other markets; the effects of a pandemic or epidemic or a natural disaster; charges related to current portfolio management and cost reduction actions; the success of implementing cost reduction programs and achieving anticipated acquisition synergies; the timing, impact, and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or divestitures; significant fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currencies from that currently anticipated; the continued availability of capital funding sources in all of the Company’s foreign operations; the impact of new or changed environmental, healthcare, tax or other legislation and regulations in jurisdictions in which the Company and its affiliates operate; the impact of new or changed financial accounting guidance; the timing and rate at which tax credits can be utilized and other risk factors described in the Company’s Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended 30 September 2009. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this document to reflect any change in the Company’s assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

Refer to the Market Risks and Sensitivity Analysis on page 27 of Item 2 in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

We maintain a comprehensive set of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported accurately and within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. As of 31 December 2009 (the Evaluation Date), an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance of the achievement of the objectives described above.

During the quarter that ended on the Evaluation Date, there was no change in internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.