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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Note 14 - Income Taxes

The Company's provision for income taxes in interim periods is computed by applying the appropriate estimated annual effective tax rates to income or loss before income taxes for the period. In addition, non-recurring or discrete items, including interest on prior - year tax liabilities, are recorded during the period(s) in which they occur.
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2013
2012
2013
2012
Provision for income taxes
$
46.1

$
112.5

$
84.9

$
194.0

Effective tax rate
35.8
%
38.0
%
35.0
%
36.4
%


The decrease in the effective tax rate in the second quarter of 2013 compared to the second quarter of 2012 was primarily due to higher earnings in certain foreign jurisdictions where the effective tax rate is less than 35%, higher tax benefits from the U.S. research tax credit and lower losses at certain foreign subsidiaries where no tax benefit could be recorded. These factors were partially offset by a lower U.S. manufacturing deduction and certain discrete tax expenses.

The decrease in the effective tax rate in the first six months of 2013 compared to the first six months of 2012 was primarily due to higher earnings in certain foreign jurisdictions where the effective tax rate is less than 35%, higher tax benefits from the U.S. research tax credit and other discrete net income tax benefits. These factors were partially offset by U.S. state and local taxes and lower U.S. manufacturing deduction.