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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)<br />
(1) Significant accounting policies and practices (Continued)<br />
(i) Property, plant and equipment (Continued)<br />
Depreciation is provided principally on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives or mandated recovery<br />
periods as prescribed by regulatory authorities. Depreciation of assets of our regulated utilities and railroad is generally<br />
provided using group depreciation methods where rates are based on periodic depreciation studies approved by the<br />
applicable regulator. Under group depreciation, a single depreciation rate is applied to the gross investment in a<br />
particular class of property, despite differences in the service life or salvage value of individual property units within<br />
the same class. When our regulated utilities or railroad retires or sells a component of the assets accounted for using<br />
group depreciation methods, no gain or loss is recognized. Gains or losses on disposals of all other assets are recorded<br />
through earnings.<br />
Our businesses evaluate property, plant and equipment for impairment when events or changes in circumstances<br />
indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable or the assets are being held for sale. Upon the<br />
occurrence of a triggering event, we assess whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from the use of the<br />
asset plus residual value from the ultimate disposal exceeds the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value<br />
exceeds the estimated recoverable amounts, we write down the asset to the estimated fair value. Impairment losses are<br />
included in earnings, except with respect to impairment of assets of our regulated utility and energy subsidiaries when<br />
the impacts of regulation are considered in evaluating the carrying value of regulated assets.<br />
(j)<br />
Goodwill and other intangible assets<br />
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business<br />
acquisitions. We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually. When evaluating goodwill for impairment we<br />
estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. There are several methods that may be used to estimate a reporting unit’s<br />
fair value, including market quotations, asset and liability fair values and other valuation techniques, including, but not<br />
limited to, discounted projected future net earnings or net cash flows and multiples of earnings. If the carrying amount<br />
of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the estimated fair value, then the identifiable assets and liabilities of<br />
the reporting unit are estimated at fair value as of the current testing date. The excess of the estimated fair value of the<br />
reporting unit over the current estimated fair value of net assets establishes the implied value of goodwill. The excess<br />
of the recorded goodwill over the implied goodwill value is charged to earnings as an impairment loss. Significant<br />
judgment is required in estimating the fair value of the reporting unit and performing goodwill impairment tests.<br />
Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized based on the estimated pattern in which the economic benefits are<br />
expected to be consumed or on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives. Intangible assets with definite<br />
lives are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not<br />
be recoverable. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment at least annually and when events or<br />
changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired.<br />
(k) Revenue recognition<br />
Insurance premiums for prospective property/casualty and health insurance and reinsurance are earned over the loss<br />
exposure or coverage period, in proportion to the level of protection provided. In most cases, premiums are recognized<br />
as revenues ratably over the term of the contract with unearned premiums computed on a monthly or daily pro-rata<br />
basis. Premiums for retroactive property/casualty reinsurance policies are earned at the inception of the contracts, as all<br />
of the underlying loss events covered by these policies occurred in the past. Premiums for life reinsurance and annuity<br />
contracts are earned when due. Premiums earned are stated net of amounts ceded to reinsurers. For contracts containing<br />
experience rating provisions, premiums are based upon estimated loss experience under the contracts.<br />
Sales revenues derive from the sales of manufactured products and goods acquired for resale. Revenues from sales are<br />
recognized upon passage of title to the customer, which generally coincides with customer pickup, product delivery or<br />
acceptance, depending on terms of the sales arrangement.<br />
Service revenues are recognized as the services are performed. Services provided pursuant to a contract are either<br />
recognized over the contract period or upon completion of the elements specified in the contract depending on the<br />
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