ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
ACCOUNTING POLICIES	A. ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted ("GAAP") in the United States of America. Within the financial statements and tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers for disclosure purposes. Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Masco Corporation and all majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. We consolidate the assets, liabilities and results of operations of variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary. Use of Estimates and Assumptions in the Preparation of Financial Statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any 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 may differ from these estimates and assumptions. Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue as control of our products is transferred to our customers, which is generally at the time of shipment or upon delivery based on the contractual terms with our customers. Our customers' payment terms generally range from 30 to 65 days. We provide customer programs and incentive offerings, including special pricing and co-operative advertising arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. These customer programs and incentives are considered variable consideration. We include in revenue variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the variable consideration is resolved. This determination is made based upon known customer program and incentive offerings at the time of sale and expected sales volume forecasts as it relates to our volume-based incentives. This determination is updated each reporting period. Certain product sales include a right of return. We estimate future product returns at the time of sale based on historical experience and record a corresponding refund liability. We additionally record an asset, based on historical experience, for the amount of product we expect to return to inventory as a result of the return, which is recorded in prepaid expenses and other in the consolidated balance sheets. We consider shipping and handling activities performed by us as activities to fulfill the sales of our products. Amounts billed for shipping and handling are included in net sales, while costs incurred for shipping and handling are included in cost of sales. We capitalize incremental costs of obtaining a contract and expense the costs on a straight-line basis over the contractual period if the cost is recoverable, the cost would not have been incurred without the contract and the term of the contract is greater than one year; otherwise, we expense the amounts as incurred. We do not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a financing component if the period between when we transfer our products or services and when our customers pay for our products or services is expected to be one year or less. Customer Displays. In-store displays that are owned by us and used to market our products are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized using the straight-line method over the expected useful life of three to five years; related amortization expense is classified as a selling expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Foreign Currency. The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at exchange rates as of the balance sheet dates. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the year. The resulting cumulative translation adjustments have been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets. Realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. Cash and Cash Investments. We consider all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash investments. A. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Receivables. We do business with home center retailers, wholesalers and a number of other customers. We monitor our exposure for credit losses on customer receivable balances and other financial investments measured at amortized cost and the credit worthiness of customers on an on-going basis, including requiring the completion of credit applications and performing periodic reviews of our open accounts receivable. We record allowances for credit losses for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to fulfill their required payment obligation to us. Allowances are estimated based upon specific customer balances where a risk of loss has been identified, and also include a provision for losses based upon historical collection experience and write-off activity as well as reasonable and supportable forecast information that considers macro-economic factors and industry-specific trends associated with our businesses, among other factors. A separate allowance is recorded for customer incentive rebates and is generally based upon sales activity. Receivables are presented net of certain allowances (including allowances for credit losses) of $53 million and $51 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our receivables balances are generally due in less than one year. Property and Equipment. Property and equipment, including significant improvements to existing facilities, are recorded at cost. Upon retirement or disposal, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations. Maintenance and repair costs are charged against earnings as incurred. At the asset group level, we review our property and equipment as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the property and equipment below its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of property and equipment is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows, then we would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the current fair value. Further, we evaluate the remaining useful lives of property and equipment at each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining depreciation periods. Depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of depreciable assets are as follows: buildings and land improvements, 20 to 40 years, computer hardware and software, three to six years, and machinery and equipment, three to 25 years. Depreciation expense was $126 million in 2025, $118 million in 2024 and $115 million in 2023. Leases. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”), accrued liabilities and noncurrent operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Finance lease ROU assets are included in property and equipment, net, notes payable, and long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the duration of the lease term while lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments in exchange for the right to use an underlying asset. ROU assets and lease liabilities are measured based on the present value of fixed lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to the commencement date and initial direct costs incurred, and is reduced by any lease incentives received. We review our ROU assets at the asset group level as events occur or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount of the ROU assets are not recoverable and exceed their fair values. If the carrying amount of the ROU asset is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows, then we would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the current fair value. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit discount rate, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate on the commencement date of the lease as the discount rate in determining the present value of future lease payments. We determine the incremental borrowing rate for each lease by using the current yields of our uncollateralized, publicly traded debts with maturity periods similar to the respective lease term or a comparable market alternative, adjusted to a collateralized basis based on third-party data. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when there are relevant economic incentives present that make it reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. We account for any non-lease components separately from lease components. A. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) For operating leases, lease expense for future fixed lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, lease expense for future fixed lease payments is recognized using the effective interest rate method over the lease term. Variable lease payments are recognized as lease expense in the period incurred. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We perform our annual impairment testing of goodwill in the fourth quarter of each year, or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. We have defined our reporting units and completed the impairment testing of goodwill at the operating segment level. Our operating segments are reporting units that engage in business activities, for which discrete financial information, including five-year forecasts, is available. We compare the fair value of the reporting units to the carrying value of the reporting units for goodwill impairment testing. Fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow method, which includes significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs), and requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates. Our judgments are based upon historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. In estimating future cash flows, we rely on internally generated five-year forecasts for sales and operating profits, and, currently, a two percent long-term assumed annual growth rate of cash flows for periods after the five-year forecast. For 2025, we utilized a weighted average cost of capital of approximately 7.75 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. Based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses, we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 9.75 percent to 11.75 percent for our reporting units. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill in that reporting unit. We review our other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter, or as events occur or circumstances change that indicate the assets may be impaired without regard to the business unit. Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying value. We utilize a relief-from-royalty model to estimate the fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets. We consider the implications of both external (e.g., market growth, competition and local economic conditions) and internal (e.g., product sales and expected product growth) factors and their potential impact on cash flows related to the intangible asset in both the near- and long-term. We also consider the profitability of the business, among other factors, to determine the royalty rate for use in the impairment assessment. We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 7.75 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2025, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses and the nature of the other indefinite-lived intangible asset (i.e., trade name), we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 10.75 percent to 12.00 percent for our other indefinite-lived intangible assets. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions underlying the valuation methodologies are reasonable, different estimates and assumptions could result in different outcomes. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. We review our intangible assets with finite useful lives at the asset group level as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the amortizable intangible assets below its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the amortizable intangible asset is not recoverable from the undiscounted cash flows, then we would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the current fair value. We evaluate the remaining useful lives of amortizable intangible assets at each reporting period to determine whether events or circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization. Refer to Note H for additional information regarding goodwill and other intangible assets. A. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Acquisitions. We allocate the purchase price of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. In addition, any contingent consideration is fair valued as of the date of the acquisition and is recorded as part of the purchase price. This estimate is updated in future periods and any changes in the estimate, which are not considered an adjustment to the purchase price, are recorded in our consolidated statements of operations. We use all available information to estimate fair values. We typically engage external valuation specialists to assist in the fair value determination of identifiable intangible assets and any other significant assets or liabilities. We adjust the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, up to one year after the acquisition closing date as we obtain more information regarding assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Our purchase price allocation methodology contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities. We estimate the fair value of assets and liabilities based upon the carrying value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities and widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows. Unanticipated events or circumstances may occur which could affect the accuracy of our fair value estimates, including assumptions regarding industry economic factors and business strategies. Other estimates used in determining fair value include, but are not limited to, future cash flows or income related to intangibles, market rate assumptions and appropriate discount rates. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain, and therefore, may not be realized. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and values reflected in the valuations will be realized, and actual results could vary materially. Refer to Note B for additional information regarding acquisitions. Fair Value Measurements. For our qualified defined-benefit pension plans, we have adopted accounting guidance that defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and prescribes disclosures about fair value measurements. We use derivative financial instruments to manage certain exposure to fluctuations in earnings and cash flows resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and occasionally from interest rate exposures. Derivative financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability measured at fair value, netted by counterparty, where the right of offset exists. The gain or loss is recognized in determining current earnings during the period of the change in fair value. We currently do not have any derivative instruments for which we have designated hedge accounting. Warranty. We offer limited warranties on certain products with warranty periods that can last up to the lifetime of the product to the original purchaser. At the time of sale, we accrue a warranty liability for the estimated future cost to provide products, parts or services to repair or replace products, or refunds to satisfy our warranty obligations. Our estimate of future costs to service our warranty obligations is based upon the information available and includes a number of factors, such as the warranty coverage, the warranty period, historical experience specific to the nature, frequency and average cost to service the claim, along with industry and demographic trends. Certain factors and related assumptions in determining our warranty liability involve judgments and estimates and are sensitive to changes in the factors described above. We believe that the warranty accrual is appropriate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from our original estimates which would require us to adjust our previously established accruals. Refer to Note R for additional information on our warranty accrual. A significant portion of our business is at the consumer retail level through home center retailers and other major retailers. A consumer may return a product to a retailer that is a warranty return. However, certain retailers do not distinguish between warranty and other types of returns when they claim a return deduction from us. Our revenue recognition policy takes into account this type of return when recognizing revenue, and an estimate of these amounts is recorded as a deduction to net sales at the time of sale. A. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Insurance Reserves. We provide for expenses associated with workers' compensation and product liability obligations when such amounts are probable and can be reasonably estimated. The accruals are adjusted as new information develops or circumstances change that would affect the estimated liability. Any obligations expected to be settled within 12 months are recorded in accrued liabilities; all other obligations are recorded in other liabilities. Litigation. We are involved in claims and litigation, including class actions, mass torts and regulatory proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of our business. Liabilities and costs associated with these matters require estimates and judgments based upon our professional knowledge and experience and that of our legal counsel. When a liability is probable of being incurred and our exposure in these matters is reasonably estimable, amounts are recorded as charges to earnings. The ultimate resolution of these exposures may differ due to subsequent developments. Stock-Based Compensation. We may issue stock-based incentives in various forms to our employees and non-employee Directors, including restricted stock units ("RSUs"), performance restricted stock units ("PRSUs"), stock options, long-term stock awards, phantom stock awards, and stock appreciation rights ("SARs"). We measure compensation expense for RSUs and long-term stock awards at the market price of our common stock at the grant date. We measure compensation expense for PRSUs at the expected payout of the awards. We measure compensation expense for stock options using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. We recognize forfeitures related to RSUs, PRSUs, stock options and long-term stock awards as they occur. We initially measure compensation expense for phantom stock awards at the market price of our common stock at the grant date. Phantom stock awards are linked to the value of our common stock on the date of grant and are settled in cash upon vesting. We account for phantom stock awards as liability-based awards; the liability is remeasured and adjusted at the end of each reporting period until the awards are fully-vested and paid to the employees. We measure compensation expense for SARs using a Black-Scholes option pricing model; such expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period. SARs are linked to the value of our common stock on the date of grant and are settled in cash upon exercise. We account for SARs using the fair value method, which requires outstanding SARs to be classified as liability-based awards. The liability is remeasured and adjusted at the end of each reporting period until the SARs are exercised and payment is made to the employees or the SARs expire. Under our 2024 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan, retirement-eligibility is defined as age 65 or age 55 with at least 10 years of continuous service for RSUs, stock options, phantom stock awards and SARs. Compensation expense for equity awards is recognized ratably over the shorter of the vesting period, typically three years, or the length of time until the grantee becomes retirement eligible. Expense for PRSUs is recognized ratably over the three-year vesting period of the units. Refer to Note L for additional information on stock-based compensation. Noncontrolling Interest. We owned 68 percent of Hansgrohe SE at both December 31, 2025 and 2024. The aggregate noncontrolling interest, net of dividends, at December 31, 2025 and 2024 has been recorded as a component of equity on our consolidated balance sheets. Discontinued Operations. We report financial results for discontinued operations separately from continuing operations to distinguish the financial impact of disposal transactions from ongoing operations. Discontinued operations reporting occurs only when the disposal of a component or a group of components represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations and financial results. In our consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flow from discontinued operations are not separately classified. Income Taxes. We record deferred taxes on the future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement carrying value of our assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. The realization of deferred tax assets depends on sufficient sources of taxable income in future periods. If, based upon all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not our deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. A. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Concluded) We only recognize the tax benefits from income tax positions that have a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. A liability is recorded for uncertain tax positions where it is more likely than not the position may not be sustained based on its technical merits. We record interest and penalties on our uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. We record the tax effects of Net Controlled Foreign Corporation Tested Income related to our foreign operations, if applicable, as a component of income tax expense in the period the tax arises. We allocate our provision for income taxes between continuing operations and other categories of earnings. Adjustments to deferred taxes originally recorded to other comprehensive income (loss) may reverse in a different category of earnings, such as continuing operations, resulting in a disproportionate tax effect within accumulated other comprehensive income. Generally, a disproportionate tax effect will be eliminated and recognized in income tax expense when the circumstances upon which it is premised cease to exist. We include payments for the purchase of transferable tax credits in our income tax expense and in our income taxes paid disclosure in the jurisdiction in which the credits are claimed. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2023-09, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires additional income tax disclosures, particularly regarding the effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. We adopted this standard for annual periods beginning January 1, 2025. The adoption of this guidance modified our annual disclosures, but did not have an impact on our financial position and results of operations. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements. In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-10, "Government Grants (Topic 832): Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities," which establishes guidance on the recognition, measurement, and presentation of government grants received by business entities. ASU 2025-10 is effective on a modified prospective, modified retrospective, or retrospective basis for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2029. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently reviewing the provisions of this standard and the impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial position and results of operations. In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software," which requires that an entity capitalize internal-use software development costs once management has authorized and committed to funding the software project and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. ASU 2025-06 is effective on a prospective, modified transition, or retrospective basis for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2028. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently reviewing the provisions of this standard and the impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial position and results of operations. In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05, "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets," which provides a practical expedient that allows entities to assume the current conditions as of the balance sheet date do not change for the remaining life of the asset when estimating expected credit losses for current accounts receivable and current contract assets. ASU 2025-05 is effective on a prospective basis for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2026. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to materially impact our financial position and results of operations. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, "Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses," which requires additional disclosure of the nature of expenses included in the income statement. ASU 2024-03 is effective on a prospective or retrospective basis for annual periods beginning January 1, 2027, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning January 1, 2028. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will modify our disclosures, but will not have an impact on our financial position and results of operations.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions in the Preparation of Financial Statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any 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 may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

We provide customer programs and incentive offerings, including special pricing and co-operative advertising arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. These customer programs and incentives are considered variable consideration. We include in revenue variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the variable consideration is resolved. This determination is made based upon known customer program and incentive offerings at the time of sale and expected sales volume forecasts as it relates to our volume-based incentives. This determination is updated each reporting period.

Certain product sales include a right of return. We estimate future product returns at the time of sale based on historical experience and record a corresponding refund liability. We additionally record an asset, based on historical experience, for the amount of product we expect to return to inventory as a result of the return, which is recorded in prepaid expenses and other in the consolidated balance sheets.

We consider shipping and handling activities performed by us as activities to fulfill the sales of our products. Amounts billed for shipping and handling are included in net sales, while costs incurred for shipping and handling are included in cost of sales. We capitalize incremental costs of obtaining a contract and expense the costs on a straight-line basis over the contractual period if the cost is recoverable, the cost would not have been incurred without the contract and the term of the contract is greater than one year; otherwise, we expense the amounts as incurred. We do not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a financing component if the period between when we transfer our products or services and when our customers pay for our products or services is expected to be one year or less.

Foreign Currency. The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at exchange rates as of the balance sheet dates. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the year. The resulting cumulative translation adjustments have been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets. Realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Receivables. We do business with home center retailers, wholesalers and a number of other customers. We monitor our exposure for credit losses on customer receivable balances and other financial investments measured at amortized cost and the credit worthiness of customers on an on-going basis, including requiring the completion of credit applications and performing periodic reviews of our open accounts receivable. We record allowances for credit losses for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to fulfill their required payment obligation to us. Allowances are estimated based upon specific customer balances where a risk of loss has been identified, and also include a provision for losses based upon historical collection experience and write-off activity as well as reasonable and supportable forecast information that considers macro-economic factors and industry-specific trends associated with our businesses, among other factors. A separate allowance is recorded for customer incentive rebates and is generally based upon sales activity. Receivables are presented net of certain allowances (including allowances for credit losses) of $53 million and $51 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our receivables balances are generally due in less than one year.

At the asset group level, we review our property and equipment as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the property and equipment below its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of property and equipment is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows, then we would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the current fair value. Further, we evaluate the remaining useful lives of property and equipment at each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining depreciation periods.

Depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed principally using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of depreciable assets are as follows: buildings and land improvements, 20 to 40 years, computer hardware and software, three to six years, and machinery and equipment, three to 25 years. Depreciation expense was $126 million in 2025, $118 million in 2024 and $115 million in 2023.

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the duration of the lease term while lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments in exchange for the right to use an underlying asset. ROU assets and lease liabilities are measured based on the present value of fixed lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to the commencement date and initial direct costs incurred, and is reduced by any lease incentives received. We review our ROU assets at the asset group level as events occur or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount of the ROU assets are not recoverable and exceed their fair values. If the carrying amount of the ROU asset is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows, then we would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the current fair value.

As most of our leases do not provide an implicit discount rate, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate on the commencement date of the lease as the discount rate in determining the present value of future lease payments. We determine the incremental borrowing rate for each lease by using the current yields of our uncollateralized, publicly traded debts with maturity periods similar to the respective lease term or a comparable market alternative, adjusted to a collateralized basis based on third-party data. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when there are relevant economic incentives present that make it reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. We account for any non-lease components separately from lease components.

For operating leases, lease expense for future fixed lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, lease expense for future fixed lease payments is recognized using the effective interest rate method over the lease term. Variable lease payments are recognized as lease expense in the period incurred. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We perform our annual impairment testing of goodwill in the fourth quarter of each year, or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. We have defined our reporting units and completed the impairment testing of goodwill at the operating segment level. Our operating segments are reporting units that engage in business activities, for which discrete financial information, including five-year forecasts, is available. We compare the fair value of the reporting units to the carrying value of the reporting units for goodwill impairment testing. Fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow method, which includes significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs), and requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, including long-term projections of cash flows, market conditions and appropriate discount rates. Our judgments are based upon historical experience, current market trends, consultations with external valuation specialists and other information. In estimating future cash flows, we rely on internally generated five-year forecasts for sales and operating profits, and, currently, a two percent long-term assumed annual growth rate of cash flows for periods after the five-year forecast. For 2025, we utilized a weighted average cost of capital of approximately 7.75 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. Based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses, we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 9.75 percent to 11.75 percent for our reporting units. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill in that reporting unit.

We review our other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter, or as events occur or circumstances change that indicate the assets may be impaired without regard to the business unit. Potential impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of an other indefinite-lived intangible asset to its carrying value. We utilize a relief-from-royalty model to estimate the fair value of other indefinite-lived intangible assets. We consider the implications of both external (e.g., market growth, competition and local economic conditions) and internal (e.g., product sales and expected product growth) factors and their potential impact on cash flows related to the intangible asset in both the near- and long-term. We also consider the profitability of the business, among other factors, to determine the royalty rate for use in the impairment assessment. We utilize our weighted average cost of capital of approximately 7.75 percent as the basis to determine the discount rate to apply to the estimated future cash flows. In 2025, based upon our assessment of the risks impacting each of our businesses and the nature of the other indefinite-lived intangible asset (i.e., trade name), we applied a risk premium to increase the discount rate to a range of 10.75 percent to 12.00 percent for our other indefinite-lived intangible assets.

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. We review our intangible assets with finite useful lives at the asset group level as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the amortizable intangible assets below its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the amortizable intangible asset is not recoverable from the undiscounted cash flows, then we would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the current fair value. We evaluate the remaining useful lives of amortizable intangible assets at each reporting period to determine whether events or circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization.

Acquisitions. We allocate the purchase price of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. In addition, any contingent consideration is fair valued as of the date of the acquisition and is recorded as part of the purchase price. This estimate is updated in future periods and any changes in the estimate, which are not considered an adjustment to the purchase price, are recorded in our consolidated statements of operations.

We use all available information to estimate fair values. We typically engage external valuation specialists to assist in the fair value determination of identifiable intangible assets and any other significant assets or liabilities. We adjust the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, up to one year after the acquisition closing date as we obtain more information regarding assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date.

Our purchase price allocation methodology contains uncertainties because it requires us to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities. We estimate the fair value of assets and liabilities based upon the carrying value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities and widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows. Unanticipated events or circumstances may occur which could affect the accuracy of our fair value estimates, including assumptions regarding industry economic factors and business strategies.

Other estimates used in determining fair value include, but are not limited to, future cash flows or income related to intangibles, market rate assumptions and appropriate discount rates. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain, and therefore, may not be realized. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimates, assumptions, and values reflected in the valuations will be realized, and actual results could vary materially.

We use derivative financial instruments to manage certain exposure to fluctuations in earnings and cash flows resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and occasionally from interest rate exposures. Derivative financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability measured at fair value, netted by counterparty, where the right of offset exists. The gain or loss is recognized in determining current earnings during the period of the change in fair value. We currently do not have any derivative instruments for which we have designated hedge accounting.

Warranty. We offer limited warranties on certain products with warranty periods that can last up to the lifetime of the product to the original purchaser. At the time of sale, we accrue a warranty liability for the estimated future cost to provide products, parts or services to repair or replace products, or refunds to satisfy our warranty obligations. Our estimate of future costs to service our warranty obligations is based upon the information available and includes a number of factors, such as the warranty coverage, the warranty period, historical experience specific to the nature, frequency and average cost to service the claim, along with industry and demographic trends.

Certain factors and related assumptions in determining our warranty liability involve judgments and estimates and are sensitive to changes in the factors described above. We believe that the warranty accrual is appropriate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from our original estimates which would require us to adjust our previously established accruals. Refer to Note R for additional information on our warranty accrual.

A significant portion of our business is at the consumer retail level through home center retailers and other major retailers. A consumer may return a product to a retailer that is a warranty return. However, certain retailers do not distinguish between warranty and other types of returns when they claim a return deduction from us. Our revenue recognition policy takes into account this type of return when recognizing revenue, and an estimate of these amounts is recorded as a deduction to net sales at the time of sale.

Insurance Reserves. We provide for expenses associated with workers' compensation and product liability obligations when such amounts are probable and can be reasonably estimated. The accruals are adjusted as new information develops or circumstances change that would affect the estimated liability. Any obligations expected to be settled within 12 months are recorded in accrued liabilities; all other obligations are recorded in other liabilities.

Litigation. We are involved in claims and litigation, including class actions, mass torts and regulatory proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of our business. Liabilities and costs associated with these matters require estimates and judgments based upon our professional knowledge and experience and that of our legal counsel. When a liability is probable of being incurred and our exposure in these matters is reasonably estimable, amounts are recorded as charges to earnings. The ultimate resolution of these exposures may differ due to subsequent developments.

We measure compensation expense for RSUs and long-term stock awards at the market price of our common stock at the grant date. We measure compensation expense for PRSUs at the expected payout of the awards. We measure compensation expense for stock options using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. We recognize forfeitures related to RSUs, PRSUs, stock options and long-term stock awards as they occur.

We initially measure compensation expense for phantom stock awards at the market price of our common stock at the grant date. Phantom stock awards are linked to the value of our common stock on the date of grant and are settled in cash upon vesting. We account for phantom stock awards as liability-based awards; the liability is remeasured and adjusted at the end of each reporting period until the awards are fully-vested and paid to the employees. We measure compensation expense for SARs using a Black-Scholes option pricing model; such expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period. SARs are linked to the value of our common stock on the date of grant and are settled in cash upon exercise. We account for SARs using the fair value method, which requires outstanding SARs to be classified as liability-based awards. The liability is remeasured and adjusted at the end of each reporting period until the SARs are exercised and payment is made to the employees or the SARs expire.

Under our 2024 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan, retirement-eligibility is defined as age 65 or age 55 with at least 10 years of continuous service for RSUs, stock options, phantom stock awards and SARs. Compensation expense for equity awards is recognized ratably over the shorter of the vesting period, typically three years, or the length of time until the grantee becomes retirement eligible. Expense for PRSUs is recognized ratably over the three-year vesting period of the units.

Discontinued Operations. We report financial results for discontinued operations separately from continuing operations to distinguish the financial impact of disposal transactions from ongoing operations. Discontinued operations reporting occurs only when the disposal of a component or a group of components represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations and financial results. In our consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flow from discontinued operations are not separately classified.

Income Taxes. We record deferred taxes on the future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement carrying value of our assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. The realization of deferred tax assets depends on sufficient sources of taxable income in future periods. If, based upon all available evidence, both positive and negative, it is more likely than not our deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded.

We only recognize the tax benefits from income tax positions that have a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. A liability is recorded for uncertain tax positions where it is more likely than not the position may not be sustained based on its technical merits. We record interest and penalties on our uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

We allocate our provision for income taxes between continuing operations and other categories of earnings. Adjustments to deferred taxes originally recorded to other comprehensive income (loss) may reverse in a different category of earnings, such as continuing operations, resulting in a disproportionate tax effect within accumulated other comprehensive income. Generally, a disproportionate tax effect will be eliminated and recognized in income tax expense when the circumstances upon which it is premised cease to exist.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2023-09, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires additional income tax disclosures, particularly regarding the effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. We adopted this standard for annual periods beginning January 1, 2025. The adoption of this guidance modified our annual disclosures, but did not have an impact on our financial position and results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements. In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-10, "Government Grants (Topic 832): Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities," which establishes guidance on the recognition, measurement, and presentation of government grants received by business entities. ASU 2025-10 is effective on a modified prospective, modified retrospective, or retrospective basis for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2029. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently reviewing the provisions of this standard and the impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial position and results of operations.

In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software," which requires that an entity capitalize internal-use software development costs once management has authorized and committed to funding the software project and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. ASU 2025-06 is effective on a prospective, modified transition, or retrospective basis for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2028. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently reviewing the provisions of this standard and the impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial position and results of operations.

In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05, "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets," which provides a practical expedient that allows entities to assume the current conditions as of the balance sheet date do not change for the remaining life of the asset when estimating expected credit losses for current accounts receivable and current contract assets. ASU 2025-05 is effective on a prospective basis for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2026. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to materially impact our financial position and results of operations.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, "Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses," which requires additional disclosure of the nature of expenses included in the income statement. ASU 2024-03 is effective on a prospective or retrospective basis for annual periods beginning January 1, 2027, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning January 1, 2028. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance will modify our disclosures, but will not have an impact on our financial position and results of operations.