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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 9 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities |  |
Net income | $ 497,631 | $ 439,453
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 148,394 | 116,294
Provision for doubtful accounts | 295 | 3,600
Amortization of debt issuance costs | 1,172 | 1,093
Stock-based compensation expense | 6,856 | 4,804
Loss from disposition of fixed assets | 2,635 | 4,679
Deferred income taxes | 34,459 | 83,443
Windfall tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements | (6,670) | (5,056)
(Income) loss from equity method investments, net of dividends | (3,199) | 1,586
Other gains, net | (495) | 0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |  |
Accounts receivable | 6,055 | (18,874)
Inventories | 80,492 | (26,325)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 458 | (5,038)
Accounts payable | (98,769) | 19,518
Accrued liabilities | 111,965 | (15,755)
Other, net | (5,155) | (55,922)
Net cash provided by operating activities | 776,124 | 547,500
Cash flows from investing activities |  |
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired | (611,087) | (178,309)
Additions to equity investments | 0 | (23,338)
Additions to property, plant and equipment | (311,183) | (498,290)
Construction of assets pending sale-leaseback | 0 | (136)
Proceeds from disposition of assets | 145 | 78
Proceeds from repayment of loan acquired | 45,923 | 0
Proceeds from repayment of loan to affiliate | 0 | 167
Proceeds from sale and maturities of securities | 342,045 | 239,764
Purchase of securities and other investments | (117,332) | (232,286)
Settlements of derivative instruments | (689) | (2,297)
Net cash used for investing activities | (652,178) | (694,647)
Cash flows from financing activities |  |
Capitalized debt issuance costs | (1,167) |
Dividends paid | (55,690) | (40,204)
Net proceeds from issuance of Westlake Chemical Partners LP common units | 286,088 | 0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 5,502 | 3,182
Repurchase of common stock for treasury | (9,495) | (19,409)
Windfall tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements | 6,670 | 5,056
Net cash provided by financing activities | 231,908 | (51,375)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (3,687) | 0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 352,167 | (198,522)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 461,301 | 790,078
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ 813,468 | $ 591,556

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- Definition The cash inflow from the issuance of common limited partners units during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3255-108585 + Details
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- Definition Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from long-term debt by a related party. Related parties, include, but are not limited to, affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, and pension trusts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 + Details
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- Definition The cash inflow associated with the aggregate amount received by the entity through sale or maturity of marketable securities (held-to-maturity or available-for-sale) during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26853-111562 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (a),(b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
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- Definition The cash inflow from the sale of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
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- Definition The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (j) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3255-108585 + Details
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- Definition The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4K -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31814832&loc=SL4591552-111686 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=SL4573702-111684 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4J -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31814832&loc=SL4591551-111686 + Details
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- Definition The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate value of prepaid expenses and other current assets. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow associated with the construction of long-lived assets pending financing through a sale-leaseback. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Proceeds From (Repayments of) Acquired Loan + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of the current period expense charged against operations for the purpose of reducing receivables, including notes receivable, to an amount that approximates their net realizable value (i.e. provision for). Conversely, may also be the amount of doubtful accounts recovered during the current period (i.e. recovery of). + References No definition available. + Details
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