Edgar Filing: WHIRLPOOL CORP /DE/

WHR.9.30.2011 - 10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE

COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

________________________________________________________

FORM 10-Q

________________________________________________________



x		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011



o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 1-3932

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		38-1490038
(State of Incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2000 North M-63, Benton Harbor, Michigan		49022-2692
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (269) 923-5000

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 x 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 x No o

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



Large accelerated filer x		Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company o

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

Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:



Class of common stock		Shares outstanding at October 31, 2011
Common stock, par value $1 per share		76,439,148

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

INDEX OF INFORMATION INCLUDED IN REPORT




		Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Statements of Income	3
	Consolidated Balance Sheets	4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5
	Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	20
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	29
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	29
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	30
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	30
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	30
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	30
Item 4.	(Removed and Reserved)	30
Item 5.	Other Information	30
Item 6.	Exhibits	30
Signatures		32

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Certain statements contained in this report, including those within the forward-looking perspective section within the Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and other written and oral statements made from time to time by us or on our behalf do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. As such, they are considered “forward-looking statements” which provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. Such statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “possible,” “plan,” “predict,” “forecast,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “may impact,” “on track,” and similar words or expressions. Our forward-looking statements generally relate to our growth strategies, financial results, product development, sales efforts and legal contingencies. These forward-looking statements should be considered with the understanding that such statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially.

This document contains forward-looking statements about Whirlpool Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Whirlpool”) that speak only as of this date. Whirlpool disclaims any obligation to update these statements. Forward-looking statements in this document may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected earnings per share, cash flow, productivity and material and oil-related prices. Many risks, contingencies and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from Whirlpool's forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) intense competition in the home appliance industry reflecting the impact of both new and established global competitors, including Asian and European manufacturers; (2) Whirlpool's ability to continue its relationship with significant trade customers and the ability of these trade customers to maintain or increase market share; (3) changes in economic conditions which affect demand for our products, including the strength of the building industry and the level of interest rates; (4) litigation and legal compliance risk and costs, especially costs which may be materially different from the amount we expect to incur or have accrued for; (5) the effects and costs of governmental investigations or related actions by third parties; (6) the ability of Whirlpool to achieve its business plans, price increases, productivity improvements, cost control, leveraging of its global operating platform, and acceleration of the rate of innovation; (7) fluctuations in the cost of key materials (including steel, oil, plastic, resins, copper and aluminum) and components and the ability of Whirlpool to offset cost increases; (8) product liability and product recall costs; (9) the ability of Whirlpool to manage foreign currency fluctuations; (10) global, political and/or economic uncertainty and disruptions, especially in Whirlpool's significant geographic regions, including uncertainty and disruptions arising from natural disasters or terrorist attacks; (11) inventory and other asset risk; (12) the ability of suppliers of critical parts, components and manufacturing equipment to deliver sufficient quantities to Whirlpool in a timely and cost-effective manner; (13) health care cost trends, regulatory changes and variations between results and estimates that could increase future funding obligations for pension and post retirement benefit plans; (14) Whirlpool's ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights; (15) information technology system failures and data security breaches; (16) the impact of labor relations; (17) our ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees; and (18) changes in the legal and regulatory environment including environmental and health and safety regulations.

We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, and investors are advised to review disclosures in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. Therefore, investors should not consider the foregoing factors to be an exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties, or factors that could potentially cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “Whirlpool,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Whirlpool Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.


PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30

(Millions of dollars, except per share data)



	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Net sales	$	4,625		$	4,519		$	13,755		$	13,325
Expenses
Cost of products sold	4,052			3,871			11,891			11,277
Gross margin	573			648			1,864			2,048
Selling, general and administrative	394			391			1,199			1,163
Intangible amortization	7			7			21			21
Restructuring costs	36			16			58			58
Operating profit	136			234			586			806
Other income (expense)
Interest and sundry income (expense)	(27		)	(104		)	(583		)	(185		)
Interest expense	(51		)	(54		)	(160		)	(167		)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and other items	58			76			(157		)	454
Income tax benefit	(123		)	(7		)	(353		)	(18		)
Earnings before equity earnings	181			83			196			472
Equity in loss of affiliated companies	—			—			(1		)	—
Net earnings	181			83			195			472
Less: Net earnings available to noncontrolling interests	4			4			10			24
Net earnings available to Whirlpool	$	177		$	79		$	185		$	448
Per share of common stock
Basic net earnings available to Whirlpool	$	2.31		$	1.04		$	2.41		$	5.90
Diluted net earnings available to Whirlpool	$	2.27		$	1.02		$	2.37		$	5.79
Dividends	$	0.50		$	0.43		$	1.43		$	1.29
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in millions)
Basic	76.9			76.5			76.8			76.1
Diluted	78.1			77.7			78.1			77.4

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Millions of dollars, except share data)



	(Unaudited)
	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
Assets
Current assets
Cash and equivalents	$	511		$	1,368
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $64 and $66, respectively	2,261			2,278
Inventories	2,864			2,792
Deferred income taxes	225			204
Prepaid and other current assets	599			673
Total current assets	6,460			7,315
Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $6,314 and $6,660, respectively	3,081			3,134
Goodwill	1,724			1,731
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $170 and $146, respectively	1,767			1,789
Deferred income taxes	1,703			1,305
Other noncurrent assets	268			310
Total assets	$	15,003		$	15,584
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	3,536		$	3,660
Accrued expenses	971			671
Accrued advertising and promotions	339			426
Employee compensation	355			467
Notes payable	17			2
Current maturities of long-term debt	361			312
Other current liabilities	664			611
Total current liabilities	6,243			6,149
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	2,133			2,195
Pension benefits	1,238			1,519
Postretirement benefits	452			610
Other noncurrent liabilities	600			791
Total noncurrent liabilities	4,423			5,115
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $1 par value, 250 million shares authorized, 106 million shares issued and 76 million shares outstanding	106			106
Additional paid-in capital	2,189			2,156
Retained earnings	4,755			4,680
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(990		)	(893		)
Treasury stock, 30 million shares	(1,821		)	(1,823		)
Total Whirlpool stockholders’ equity	4,239			4,226
Noncontrolling interests	98			94
Total stockholders’ equity	4,337			4,320
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	15,003		$	15,584

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30

(Millions of dollars)



	2011			2010
Operating activities
Net earnings	$	195		$	472
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	422			414
Curtailment gain	—			(62		)
Settlement of Brazilian collection dispute	144			57
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(64		)	(76		)
Inventories	(171		)	(878		)
Accounts payable	4			386
Accrued advertising and promotions	(80		)	(74		)
Product recall	(14		)	30
Taxes deferred and payable, net	(476		)	19
Accrued pension	(248		)	(24		)
Employee compensation	(83		)	7
Other	29			106
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(342		)	377
Investing activities
Capital expenditures	(417		)	(387		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	20			9
Investment in related businesses	(7		)	(18		)
Acquisition of brand	—			(27		)
Other	(4		)	—
Cash used in investing activities	(408		)	(423		)
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	300			—
Repayments of long-term debt	(310		)	(373		)
Dividends paid	(110		)	(99		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest shares	—			(12		)
Net proceeds (repayments) from short-term borrowings	14			(7		)
Common stock issued	14			72
Other	(12		)	(12		)
Cash used in financing activities	(104		)	(431		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	(3		)	(2		)
Decrease in cash and equivalents	(857		)	(479		)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	1,368			1,380
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$	511		$	901

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(1)BASIS OF PRESENTATION

General Information

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all information or footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. As a result, this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes in the Financial Supplement of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

We have eliminated all material intercompany transactions in our Consolidated Financial Statements. We do not consolidate the financial statements of any company in which we have an ownership interest of 50% or less unless we control that company. We did not control any company in which we had an ownership interest of 50% or less for any period presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Management believes that the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods.

Certain prior year amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.

Issued but Not Yet Effective Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") amended Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350, "Intangibles--Goodwill and Other". Under the amendment, an entity may assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If determined to be necessary, the two-step impairment test shall be used to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of a goodwill impairment loss to be recognized, if any. The amendment is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this amendment will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") amended Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 220, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” This amendment will require companies to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income either as one continuous statement or as two consecutive statements. It eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity. The amended guidance, which must be applied retroactively, is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with earlier adoption permitted. This Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") impacts presentation only, it will have no effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2011, the FASB amended ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement." This amendment is intended to result in convergence between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) requirements for measurement of and disclosures about fair value. This guidance clarifies the application of existing fair value measurements and disclosures, and changes certain principles or requirements for fair value measurements and disclosures. The amendment is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this amendment will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

(2)GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

The following table summarizes the net carrying amount of goodwill and other intangibles:



Millions of dollars	Estimated Useful Life	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
North America reporting unit	Indefinite life	$	1,720	$	1,727
Embraco reporting unit	Indefinite life	4		4
Total goodwill		$	1,724	$	1,731



Trademarks	Indefinite life	$	1,528	$	1,535
Customer relationships	18 years	198		210
Patents and non-compete agreements	3 to 10 years	41		44
Total other intangible assets, net		$	1,767	$	1,789

Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are required to be evaluated for impairment annually, which occurs as of November 30th of each year or whenever events occur which may indicate possible impairment. Goodwill is evaluated using a two-step impairment test at the reporting unit level. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the book value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, with its fair value. If the book value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform the second step of the impairment test. In the second step, we estimate an implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities other than goodwill (including any unrecognized intangible assets). The difference between the total fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of all the assets and liabilities other than goodwill is the implied fair value of that goodwill. The amount of impairment loss is equal to the excess of the book value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill.

In assessing the fair value of trademarks, we utilize a relief from royalty method. If the carrying amount of a trademark exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

Considerable judgment is necessary to estimate key assumptions involved in valuing our intangible assets, including projected revenues, royalty rates and applicable discount rates. Based on an analysis completed during the third quarter of 2011, we determined an impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets did not exist at September 30, 2011.

(3)FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is measured based on an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tiered fair value hierarchy is established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level 2) inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable, either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. We had no Level 3 assets or liabilities at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of three valuation techniques. The three valuation techniques are identified in the table below and are as follows:


(a)	Market approach—prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities


(b)	Cost approach—amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost)


(c)	Income approach—techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models)

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:



	Total Cost Basis				Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)					Total Fair Value					Valuation Technique
Millions of dollars	2011		2010		2011		2010		2011			2010		2011			2010
Money market funds ⁽¹⁾	$	—	$	414	$	—	$	414	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	414	(a)
Net derivative contracts	—		—		—		—		(26		)	125		(26		)	125		(a)
Available for sale investments	34		27		22		25		—			—		22			25		(a)


(1)	Money market funds are primarily comprised of United States government obligations.

Other Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of long-term debt (including current maturities) was $2,676 million and $2,716 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and was estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

(4)INVENTORIES



Millions of dollars	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
Finished products	$	2,459		$	2,314
Raw materials and work in process	578			627
	3,037			2,941
Less: excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost	(173		)	(149		)
Total inventories	$	2,864		$	2,792

LIFO inventories represented 45% and 43% of total inventories at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

(5)PROPERTY

The following table summarizes our property, plant and equipment as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:



Millions of dollars	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
Land	$	77		$	74
Buildings	1,170			1,218
Machinery and equipment	8,148			8,502
Accumulated depreciation	(6,314		)	(6,660		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	3,081		$	3,134

During the September 2011 quarter we retired $324 million of fully depreciated machinery and equipment no longer in use. The retirement had no impact to net earnings available to Whirlpool.

(6)FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

On June 7, 2011, we completed a debt offering of $300 million principal amount of 4.85% notes due June 15, 2021 (the “2021 Notes”). The proceeds from the 2021 Notes were used to repay $300 million of 6.125% notes that matured on June 15, 2011. The 2021 Notes contain covenants that limit our ability to incur certain liens or enter into certain sale and lease-back transactions. In addition, if we experience a specific kind of change of control, we are required to make an offer to purchase all of the 2021 Notes at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2021 Notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-157392) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 19, 2009.

On June 28, 2011, we entered into an Amended and Restated Long-Term Credit Agreement (the “Facility”). The Facility

amends, restates, and extends our existing credit facility, scheduled to mature on August 13, 2012. The total commitment increased from $1.35 billion to $1.725 billion and the maturity date was extended to June 28, 2016. The Facility includes a letter of credit sublimit of $200 million. Borrowings under the Facility are available to us and our designated subsidiaries for general corporate purposes, including commercial paper support. Subsidiary borrowings under the Facility, if any, are guaranteed by Whirlpool Corporation. Interest under the Facility accrues at a variable annual rate based on LIBOR plus a margin or the prime rate plus a margin. The margin is dependent on our credit rating at that time. At September 30, 2011, the margin was as follows: (1) 1.625% over LIBOR; (2) 0.625% over the prime rate; and (3) the unused commitment fee was 0.25%. At September 30, 2011 we had

$5 million in borrowings outstanding under the Facility. We had no borrowings outstanding under our previous credit facility at

December 31, 2010. We were in compliance with financial covenant requirements at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

The Facility requires us to meet certain financial tests. Whirlpool's maximum rolling twelve month Leverage Ratio (defined in the Facility) is limited to 3.25 to 1.0 for each fiscal quarter. The rolling twelve month Interest Coverage Ratio (defined in the Facility) is required to be greater than or equal to 3.0 to 1.0 for each fiscal quarter.

We paid lenders under the Facility an up-front fee of approximately $5 million, which combined with the unamortized deferred fees from the previous credit facility are being amortized over the remaining term of the Facility.

(7)COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Embraco Antitrust Matters

Government authorities in various jurisdictions are conducting antitrust investigations of the global compressor industry, including our compressor business headquartered in Brazil (“Embraco”). In 2010, Embraco sales represented approximately 8% of our global net sales.

In February 2009, competition authorities in Brazil, the United States and Europe began to seek documents from us in connection with their investigations. A grand jury subpoena from the United States Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) requested documents for the time period from 2003 to 2009. Competition authorities in other jurisdictions have sought similar information.

In September 2009, the Brazilian competition commission (CADE) agreed to terminate the administrative investigation of our compressor business. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Whirlpool affiliates and certain executives located in Brazil acknowledged a violation of Brazilian antitrust law in the Brazilian compressor market by some Embraco employees. The settlement agreement provides for the affiliates to make contributions totaling 100 million Brazilian reais to a Brazilian government fund. The contributions translated to approximately $56 million, all of which was recorded within interest and sundry income (expense) in 2009. The payments are to be made in twelve semiannual installments of approximately 8 million Brazilian reais through 2015. As of September 30, 2011, approximately $21 million had been paid.

In September 2010, the DOJ and Embraco entered into a plea agreement related to the DOJ’s investigation which was approved by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in December 2010. Under the plea agreement, the DOJ recognized Embraco’s substantial assistance in the investigation and agreed not to bring further charges against Embraco or any related entities for any conspiracy involving compressor pricing during the investigation period. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Embraco (1) acknowledged that it violated United States antitrust law with respect to the sale of certain compressors from October 2004 through December 2007 and (2) agreed to pay a fine totaling $91.8 million to the United States government. The full amount of the fine was recorded within interest and sundry income (expense) in the third quarter of 2010. Embraco made the first payment of $16.8 million in January 2011. The five remaining annual payments of $15.0 million plus interest will be made during each fourth quarter through 2015.

Since the government investigations became public in February 2009, we have been named as a defendant in related antitrust lawsuits in various jurisdictions seeking damages in connection with the pricing of compressors from 1996 to 2009. Several other compressor manufacturers who are the subject of the government investigations have also been named as defendants in the litigation. United States federal lawsuits instituted on behalf of purported purchasers and containing class action allegations have been combined in one proceeding in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. We continue to cooperate with ongoing government investigations in other jurisdictions, to defend the related antitrust lawsuits and to take other actions to minimize our potential exposure.

sundry income (expense) when incurred. At September 30, 2011, $209 million remains accrued. While it is currently not possible to reasonably estimate the aggregate amount of costs which we may incur in connection with these matters, such costs could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

Brazilian Collection Dispute

We reached an agreement on June 22, 2011 to settle all claims arising from our long-standing dispute in Brazil with Banco Safra S.A. Such settlement was subsequently approved by a Brazilian court on July 8, 2011. Pursuant to the settlement, our subsidiary agreed to pay Banco Safra S.A. 959 million Brazilian reais, in two installments, the first of 469 million reais (equivalent to $301 million) was made on July 14, 2011, and the second of 490 million reais (equivalent to approximately $264 million as of September 30, 2011) is planned for the first quarter of 2012 and remains accrued. The settlement amount is being funded from available cash.

Operating Tax Matter

The Brazilian Constitution provides a general basis for recognizing tax credits on the purchase of raw materials used in production (“IPI tax credit”). Certain raw materials that are exempt or have a zero tax basis in the production process qualify for these IPI tax credits. Based on legal precedent, in 2003 and 2004, we recognized tax credits in an aggregate amount of $26 million adjusted for currency. The Brazilian tax authority subsequently challenged the recording of IPI tax credits. No credits were recognized in 2005 through 2009. In 2009, we entered into an agreement under a special Brazilian government program providing for extended payment terms and reductions in penalties and interest to encourage taxpayers to resolve disputed IPI tax credit amounts. Charges recorded related to this program for the year ended December 31, 2009 include $27 million in tax that was recorded in cost of products sold, $16 million in interest expense and $4 million in penalties recorded in interest and sundry income (expense) in our Consolidated Statements of Income. During the December 2009 quarter, based on newly issued regulations, we settled with the Brazilian tax authority to resolve these and other disputed tax amounts. As a result of this settlement agreement, we recorded an increase in value added taxes owed of approximately $4 million in cost of goods sold, a reduction in interest expense totaling $18 million related to interest abatement, a reduction in interest and sundry income (expense) of $4 million related to penalty abatement and related income tax expense of $5 million under this special program. The settlement is in the process of being ratified by the Brazilian tax authority.

Other Litigation

We are currently defending a number of class action suits in federal and state courts related to the manufacturing and sale of our products and alleging claims which include breach of warranty, fraud, violation of state consumer protection acts and negligence. We dispute the merits of these suits. We intend to vigorously defend these actions.

We are also involved in various other legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management, after taking into consideration legal counsel’s evaluation of such actions and the class action suits discussed in the previous paragraph, is of the opinion that the outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect, if any, on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Product Warranty and Recall Reserves

Product warranty reserves are generally established in the same period that revenue from the sale of the related products is recognized. The amounts of those reserves are based on established terms and our best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date.

Product warranty and recall reserves are included in other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities. The following table summarizes the changes in product warranty and recall reserves for the periods presented:



	Product Warranty						Product Recall						Total
Millions of dollars	2011			2010			2011			2010			2011			2010
Balance at January 1	$	202		$	187		$	15		$	2		$	217		$	189
Issuances/accruals during the period	248			253			—			78			248			331
Settlements made during the period	(251		)	(250		)	(5		)	(49		)	(256		)	(299		)
Other changes	(12		)	10			(9		)	—			(21		)	10
Balance at September 30	$	187		$	200		$	1		$	31		$	188		$	231
Current portion	$	147		$	161		$	1		$	31		$	148		$	192
Non-current portion	40			39			—			—			40			39
Total	$	187		$	200		$	1		$	31		$	188		$	231

During the March 2010 quarter we accrued $75 million related to a recall of 1.8 million dishwashers sold in the United States and Canada between 2006 and 2010. The recall is due to an electrical failure in the dishwasher’s heating element. During 2011, we revised the total cost of this recall from $75 million to $66 million, as a result of lower than expected costs. These amounts were recorded in cost of products sold. Our actual costs related to this recall will depend on several factors, including the number of consumers who respond to the recall, the costs of repair and administration and whether costs will be recovered from the supplier.

In 2009, we announced a voluntary recall of refrigerators due to quality issues in a purchased component. We accrued $70 million, in the aggregate, as the estimated cost of the recall, all of which was charged to cost of products sold. There are no remaining amounts accrued. Effective as of October 24, 2011 we reached a settlement agreement in which the supplier agreed to reimburse $61 million of Whirlpool's recall costs in the December 2011 quarter, which will be recognized in cost of products sold.

We regularly engage in investigations of potential quality and safety issues as part of our ongoing effort to deliver quality products to customers. We are currently investigating a limited number of potential quality and safety issues. As necessary, we undertake to effect repair or replacement of appliances in the event that an investigation leads to the conclusion that such action is warranted.

Guarantees

We have guarantee arrangements in a Brazilian subsidiary. As a standard business practice in Brazil, the subsidiary guarantees customer lines of credit at commercial banks to support purchases following its normal credit policies. If a customer were to default on its line of credit with the bank, our subsidiary would be required to satisfy the obligation with the bank and the receivable would revert back to the subsidiary. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the guaranteed amounts totaled $360 million and $386 million, respectively. Our subsidiary insures against credit risk for these guarantees, under normal operating conditions, through policies purchased from high-quality underwriters.

We provide guarantees of indebtedness and lines of credit for various consolidated subsidiaries. The maximum amount of credit facilities available under these lines for consolidated subsidiaries totaled $1.2 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Our total outstanding bank indebtedness under guarantees totaled $12 million at September 30, 2011 and $2 million at December 31, 2010.

On May 16, 2008, we guaranteed a $50 million five year revolving credit facility between certain financial institutions and a not-for-profit entity in connection with a community and economic development project (“Harbor Shores”). The fair value of the guarantee was nominal. The purpose of Harbor Shores is to stimulate employment and growth in the areas of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Michigan. In the event of default, we must satisfy the guarantee of the credit facility up to the amount borrowed at the date of default.

(8)HEDGES AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Derivative instruments are accounted for at fair value based on market rates. Derivatives where we elect hedge accounting are designated as either cash flow or fair value hedges. Derivatives that are not accounted for based on hedge accounting are marked to market through earnings. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use and designation of the derivative instrument. For a derivative instrument designated as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized in earnings in the period of change in fair value together with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item. For a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) and is subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings. Hedging ineffectiveness and a net earnings impact occur when the change in the fair value of the hedge does not offset the change in the fair value of the hedged item. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss is recognized in earnings.

Using derivative instruments means assuming counterparty credit risk. Counterparty credit risk relates to the loss we could incur if a counterparty were to default on a derivative contract. We generally deal with investment grade counterparties and monitor the overall credit risk and exposure to individual counterparties. We do not anticipate nonperformance by any counterparties. The amount of counterparty credit exposure is limited to the unrealized gains, if any, on such derivative contracts. We do not require, nor do we post collateral or security on such contracts.

Hedging strategy

In the normal course of business, we manage risks relating to our ongoing business operations including those arising from changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. Fluctuations in these rates and prices can affect our operating results and financial condition. We use a variety of strategies, including the use of derivative instruments. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Foreign currency exchange rate risk

We incur expenses associated with the procurement and production of products in a limited number of countries, while we sell in the local currencies of a large number of countries. Our primary foreign currency exchange exposures result from cross-currency sales of products. As a result, we enter into foreign exchange contracts to hedge certain firm commitments and forecasted transactions to acquire products and services that are denominated in foreign currencies.

We enter into certain undesignated non-functional currency asset and liability hedges that relate primarily to short-term payables, receivables, inventory and intercompany loans. These forecasted cross-currency cash flows relate primarily to foreign currency denominated expenditures and intercompany financing agreements, royalty agreements and dividends. When we hedge a foreign currency denominated payable or receivable with a derivative, the effect of changes in the foreign exchange rates are reflected currently in earnings for both the payable/receivable and the derivative. Therefore, as a result of the economic hedge, we do not elect hedge accounting.

Commodity price risk

We enter into forward contracts on various commodities to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of materials used in our manufacturing process. The objective of these hedges is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the forecasted purchase of commodities.

Interest rate risk

We may enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage interest rate risk exposure. Our interest rate swap agreements, if any, effectively modify our exposure to interest rate risk, primarily through converting certain of our floating rate debt to a fixed rate basis, and certain fixed rate debt to a floating rate basis. These agreements involve either the receipt or payment of floating rate amounts in exchange for fixed rate interest payments or receipts, respectively, over the life of the agreements without an exchange of the underlying principal amounts. We also may utilize a cross-currency interest rate swap agreement to manage our exposure relating to certain intercompany debt denominated in one foreign currency that will be repaid in another foreign currency. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 there were no outstanding swap agreements.

We enter into treasury rate lock agreements to effectively modify our exposure to interest rate risk by locking-in interest rates on anticipated long-term debt. The unrealized gain/loss recorded at September 30, 2011 was not material.

The following tables summarize our outstanding derivative contracts and their effects on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:



					Fair Value of								Type of Hedge ⁽¹⁾
Millions of dollars	Notional Amount				Hedge Assets				Hedge Liabilities				Type of Hedge ⁽¹⁾	Maximum Term (Months)
	2011		2010		2011		2010		2011		2010			2011	2010
Derivatives accounted for as hedges
Foreign exchange forwards/options	$	1,056	$	909	$	38	$	13	$	20	$	31	(CF/FV)	21	15
Commodity swaps/options	349		539		15		129		22		2		(CF/FV)	27	24
Treasury rate locks	250		—		—		—		—		—			9	—
Total derivatives accounted for as hedges					$	53	$	142	$	42	$	33
Derivatives not accounted for as hedges
Foreign exchange forwards/options	$	1,437	$	990	$	20	$	11	$	57	$	3		4	10
Commodity swaps/options	5		13		1		11		1		3			14	12
Total derivatives not accounted for as hedges					21		22		58		6
Total derivatives					$	74	$	164	$	100	$	39

Current					$	67	$	135	$	94	$	39
Noncurrent					7		29		6		—
Total derivatives					$	74	$	164	$	100	$	39


(1)	Derivatives accounted for as hedges are either considered cash flow (CF) or fair value (FV) hedges.

The effects of derivative instruments on our Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended are as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,												Three Months Ended September 30,
Cash Flow Hedges - Millions of dollars	Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion)					Gain (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income (Effective Portion) ⁽¹⁾							Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income (Ineffective Portion) ⁽²⁾
	2011			2010		2011			2010				2011		2010
Foreign exchange forwards/options	$	26		$	1	$	(5	)	$	(8	)	(a)(b)	$	—	$	—
Commodity swaps/options	(60		)	92		22			14			(b)	1		—
	$	(34	)	$	93	$	17		$	6			$	1	$	—



	Three Months Ended September 30,
Fair Value Hedges - Millions of dollars	Gain (Loss) Recognized on Derivatives ⁽³⁾					Gain (Loss) Recognized on Related Hedged Items ⁽³⁾					Hedged Item
	2011		2010			2011			2010
Foreign exchange forwards/options	$	6	$	(2	)	$	(6	)	$	2	Non-functional currency assets and liabilities



	Three Months Ended September 30,
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedges - Millions of dollars	Gain (Loss) Recognized on Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedges ⁽⁴⁾
	2011			2010
Foreign exchange forwards/options	$	(45	)	$	45
Commodity swaps	(1		)	—
	$	(46	)	$	45



	Nine Months Ended September 30,													Nine Months Ended September 30,
Cash Flow Hedges - Millions of dollars	Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI (Effective Portion)						Gain (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income (Effective Portion) ⁽¹⁾							Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income (Ineffective Portion) ⁽²⁾
	2011			2010			2011			2010				2011		2010
Foreign exchange forwards/options	$	15		$	(20	)	$	(16	)	$	(24	)	(a)(b)	$	—	$	2
Commodity swaps/options	(56		)	44			85			48			(b)	1		2
	$	(41	)	$	24		$	69		$	24			$	1	$	4



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
Fair Value Hedges - Millions of dollars	Gain (Loss) Recognized on Derivatives ⁽³⁾					Gain (Loss) Recognized on Related Hedged Items ⁽³⁾					Hedged Item
	2011		2010			2011			2010
Foreign exchange forwards/options	$	7	$	(9	)	$	(7	)	$	9	Non-functional currency assets and liabilities



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedges - Millions of dollars	Gain (Loss) Recognized on Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedges ⁽⁴⁾
	2011			2010
Foreign exchange forwards/options	$	(1	)	$	40
Commodity swaps	(1		)	1
	$	(2	)	$	41


(1)	Gains and losses reclassified from accumulated OCI and recognized in income are recorded in (a) interest and sundry income (expense) or (b) cost of products sold.


(2)	Gains and losses recognized in income related to the ineffective portion of hedges are recorded in interest and sundry income (expense).


(3)	Gains and losses recognized in income are recorded in interest and sundry income (expense).


(4)	Mark to market gains and losses recognized in income are recorded in interest and sundry income (expense).

The net amount of unrealized gain or loss on derivative instruments included in accumulated OCI related to contracts maturing and expected to be realized during the next twelve months is a loss of $2 million at September 30, 2011.

(9)STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Stockholders’ Equity

The following table summarizes our comprehensive income (loss) for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
Millions of dollars	2011			2010			2011			2010
Net earnings as reported	$	181		$	83		$	195		$	472
Currency translation adjustments – net	(269		)	227			(95		)	(2		)
Cash flow hedges – net	(35		)	60			(77		)	(4		)
Pension and other postretirement benefits plans – net	(3		)	(1		)	82			(63		)
Available for sale securities	(3		)	(2		)	(10		)	(6		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(129		)	367			95			397
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) available to noncontrolling interests	(3		)	8			7			25
Comprehensive income (loss) available to Whirlpool	$	(126	)	$	359		$	88		$	372

The following table summarizes the changes in stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:



Millions of dollars	Total			Whirlpool Common Stockholders			Noncontrolling Interests
Stockholders’ equity, December 31, 2010	$	4,320		$	4,226		$	94
Net earnings	195			185			10
Other comprehensive loss	(100		)	(97		)	(3		)
Comprehensive income	95			88			7
Treasury stock	2			2			—
Additional paid-in capital	33			33			—
Dividends declared on common stock	(113		)	(110		)	(3		)
Stockholders’ equity, September 30, 2011	$	4,337		$	4,239		$	98

Net Earnings per Share

Diluted net earnings per share of common stock include the dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based compensation plans. Basic and diluted net earnings per share of common stock were calculated as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Millions of dollars and shares	2011		2010		2011		2010
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share – net earnings available to Whirlpool	$	177	$	79	$	185	$	448
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted-average shares	76.9		76.5		76.8		76.1
Effect of dilutive securities – stock-based compensation	1.2		1.2		1.3		1.3
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted-average shares	78.1		77.7		78.1		77.4
Anti-dilutive stock options/awards excluded from earnings per share	2.5		1.8		2.1		1.8

(10)RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

Under our ongoing global operating platform initiatives, we plan to continue a comprehensive worldwide effort to optimize our regional manufacturing facilities, supply base, product platforms and technology resources to support our global brands and customers.

On October 27, 2011, the Company committed to restructuring plans that will result in substantial cost and capacity reductions. Including previously announced restructuring initiatives, we expect to incur approximately $320 million of employee related termination costs, $80 million of facility exit costs, $70 million of asset related costs and $30 million of contract termination and other associated costs for a total of approximately $500 million. These costs are expected to be incurred between the fourth quarter 2011 through 2013. We expect that approximately $430 million of these costs will result in future cash expenditures.

The Company's cost and capacity reduction plans include a workforce reduction of more than 5,000 positions primarily within our the North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa operating segments. These plans include:


•	Reduction of approximately 1,200 salaried positions.


•	Closure of the refrigeration manufacturing facility in Fort Smith, Arkansas by mid-2012. Production from Fort Smith will be consolidated into current North American sites to leverage existing resources and capacity.


•	Relocation of dishwasher production from Neunkirchen, Germany to Poland in January 2012.


•	Additional organizational efficiency actions in North America and Europe.

We incurred total restructuring charges of $36 million and $16 million during the September 2011 and 2010 quarters, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we incurred total restructuring charges of $58 million and $58 million, respectively. These charges are included in restructuring costs and consist primarily of charges to shift refrigeration, laundry and cooking capacity within North America and our combined European reorganizations. Significant restructuring initiatives are discussed below.

During the second quarter of 2011, we announced two changes to our European manufacturing operations. First, we announced a workforce reduction of 190 employees through the end of 2011 in our German laundry facility. Second, we reached a decision to relocate production of dishwashers from Germany to Poland by January 1, 2012. We estimate that we will incur approximately $74 million in total costs during 2011 and 2012 in connection with these plans, comprised of $47 million in employee termination costs, $12 million in asset related costs and $15 million in other associated costs. Approximately $28 million of the estimated $74 million in total cost resulted in cash expenditures.We recognized $30 million during the three months ended and $41 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 associated to these changes in our European manufacturing operations.

On August 28, 2009, we announced changes to our North America manufacturing operations which resulted in the closure of our manufacturing facility in Evansville, Indiana in June 2010. We eliminated approximately 1,100 full-time positions as a result of the closure. We estimate that we will incur approximately $60 million in total costs in connection with the exit of this facility comprised of $17 million in employee termination costs, $13 million in equipment relocation costs, $14 million in asset related costs and $16 million in other associated costs. Approximately $38 million of the estimated $60 million in total cost resulted in cash expenditures. We incurred no costs during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and $10 million associated with this closure during the three months ended 2010. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we incurred $4 million and $32 million associated with this closure. We expect to recognize the remaining $1 million of these costs during the remainder of 2011, all of which will result in future cash expenditures.

On October 27, 2008, management committed to a workforce reduction plan. We incurred approximately $96 million in employee termination costs, $14 million in asset related costs and $3 million in other associated costs for a total of $113 million as a result of this workforce reduction. We incurred no charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and $6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. We anticipate no future cash impacts. For additional information about restructuring charges by operating segment, see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the changes to our restructuring liability balance for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:



Millions of dollars	Balance at January 1		Charge to Earnings		Cash Paid			Non-Cash			Revision of Estimate		Translation		Balance at September 30
Termination costs	$	36	$	37	$	(51	)	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	22
Non-employee exit costs	14		21		(9		)	(9		)	—		—		17
Total	$	50	$	58	$	(60	)	$	(9	)	$	—	$	—	$	39

(11)INCOME TAXES

The tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 amounted to $123 million and $353 million, respectively, compared to a benefit of $7 million and $18 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

The following table summarizes the difference between income tax expense at the United States statutory rate of 35% and the income tax benefit at effective worldwide tax rates for the respective periods:



	Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
Millions of dollars	2011					2010					2011					2010
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and other items	$	58				$	76				$	(157	)			$	454
Income tax computed at United States statutory tax rate	$	20		35	%	$	27		35	%	$	(55	)	(35	)%	$	159		35	%
U.S. government tax incentive - Energy Tax Credits	(122		)	(210	)%	(45		)	(59	)%	(255		)	(163	)%	(161		)	(35	)%
Foreign government tax incentive - BEFIEX	(28		)	(48	)%	(18		)	(24	)%	(66		)	(42	)%	(18		)	(4	)%
Other	7			12	%	29			38	%	23			15	%	2			—	%
Income tax computed at effective worldwide tax rates	$	(123	)	(211	)%	$	(7	)	(10	)%	$	(353	)	(225	)%	$	(18	)	(4	)%

Over the next twelve months it is reasonably possible that we will settle unrecognized tax benefits totaling approximately $37 million associated with certain tax examinations and other events.

At the end of each interim period, we make our best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year and the impact of discrete items, if any, and adjust the quarterly rate as necessary.

(12)PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The components of net periodic pension cost and the cost of other postretirement benefits for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,
	United States Pension Benefits						Foreign Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
Millions of dollars	2011			2010			2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	—		$	1		$	2		$	1		$	2		$	2
Interest cost	48			50			5			5			7			9
Expected return on plan assets	(48		)	(47		)	(3		)	(2		)	—			—
Amortization:
Actuarial loss	8			7			1			1			—			1
Prior service credit	(1		)	(1		)	—			—			(12		)	(8		)
Settlement and curtailment (gain) loss	—			—			—			1			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	7		$	10		$	5		$	6		$	(3	)	$	4



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	United States Pension Benefits						Foreign Pension Benefits						Other Postretirement Benefits
Millions of dollars	2011			2010			2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	—		$	2		$	6		$	5		$	6		$	7
Interest cost	144			150			15			14			24			29
Expected return on plan assets	(144		)	(142		)	(9		)	(7		)	—			—
Amortization:
Actuarial loss	24			22			3			2			—			1
Prior service credit	(3		)	(2		)	—			—			(30		)	(25		)
Settlement and curtailment (gain) loss	—			—			—			2			—			(62		)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	21		$	30		$	15		$	16		$	—		$	(50	)

During the June 2011 quarter, we modified retiree medical benefits for certain retirees, effective January 1, 2013, to be consistent with those benefits provided by the Whirlpool Corporation Group Benefit Plan. We accounted for these changes as a plan amendment, resulting in a reduction in the postretirement benefit obligation of $138 million with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax.

On August 28, 2009, we announced the closure of our manufacturing facility in Evansville, Indiana, which triggered a curtailment gain in our United States retiree healthcare plan to be recognized as the employees terminate. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 we recognized a curtailment gain of $62 million. The curtailment gain was recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Income as a component of cost of products sold with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax.


(13)	OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance.

We identify such segments based upon geographical regions of operations because each operating segment manufactures home appliances and related components, but serves strategically different markets. The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance based upon each segment’s operating profit (loss). Intersegment sales are eliminated within each region except compressor sales out of Latin America, which are included in Other/Eliminations. The Other/Eliminations column for operating profit primarily includes corporate expenses, eliminations and restructuring expenses. Total assets by segment are those assets directly associated with the respective operating activities.

The tables below summarize performance by operating segment:



	Three Months Ended September 30,
	OPERATING SEGMENTS
Millions of dollars	North America		Latin America		Europe, Middle East and Africa			Asia		Other/ Eliminations			Total Whirlpool
Net sales
2011	$	2,374	$	1,207	$	874		$	215	$	(45	)	$	4,625
2010	2,429		1,122		827			195		(54		)	4,519
Intersegment sales
2011	$	31	$	36	$	19		$	38	$	(124	)	$	—
2010	52		67		52			55		(226		)	—
Depreciation and amortization
2011	$	67	$	25	$	28		$	5	$	11		$	136
2010	78		22		26			6		9			141
Restructuring costs
2011	$	27	$	1	$	8		$	—	$	—		$	36
2010	13		—		2			—		1			16
Operating profit (loss)
2011	$	62	$	147	$	(12	)	$	4	$	(65	)	$	136
2010	114		143		26			5		(54		)	234
Total assets
September 30, 2011	$	7,967	$	3,569	$	2,988		$	837	$	(358	)	$	15,003
December 31, 2010	8,163		3,618		3,144			775		(116		)	15,584
Capital expenditures
2011	$	77	$	39	$	23		$	5	$	14		$	158
2010	59		33		16			5		7			120



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	OPERATING SEGMENTS
Millions of dollars	North America		Latin America		Europe, Middle East and Africa		Asia		Other/ Eliminations			Total Whirlpool
Net sales
2011	$	7,002	$	3,741	$	2,458	$	680	$	(126	)	$	13,755
2010	7,219		3,306		2,305		650		(155		)	13,325
Intersegment sales
2011	$	139	$	128	$	115	$	134	$	(516	)	$	—
2010	148		189		198		149		(684		)	—
Depreciation and amortization
2011	$	212	$	77	$	82	$	16	$	35		$	422
2010	223		67		78		15		31			414
Restructuring costs
2011	$	39	$	1	$	18	$	—	$	—		$	58
2010	35		1		20		—		2			58
Operating profit (loss)
2011	$	196	$	487	$	32	$	29	$	(158	)	$	586
2010	408		475		73		30		(180		)	806
Total assets
September 30, 2011	$	7,967	$	3,569	$	2,988	$	837	$	(358	)	$	15,003
December 31, 2010	8,163		3,618		3,144		775		(116		)	15,584
Capital expenditures
2011	$	222	$	81	$	55	$	14	$	45		$	417
2010	240		64		49		12		22			387

ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ABOUT WHIRLPOOL

Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool”) is the world’s leading manufacturer of major home appliances with revenues over $18 billion and net earnings available to Whirlpool of $619 million in 2010. We are a leading producer of major home appliances in North America and Latin America and have a significant presence in markets throughout Europe and India. We have received worldwide recognition for accomplishments in a variety of business and social efforts, including leadership, diversity, innovative product design, business ethics, social responsibility and community involvement. We conduct our business through four reportable segments, which we define based on geography. Our reportable segments consist of North America, Latin America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Asia. Our customer base includes large, sophisticated trade customers who have many choices and demand competitive products, services and prices.

We monitor country-specific economic factors such as gross domestic product, unemployment, consumer confidence, retail trends, housing starts and completions, sales of existing homes and mortgage interest rates as key indicators of industry demand. In addition to profitability, we also focus on country, brand, product and channel sales when assessing and forecasting financial results.

Our leading portfolio of brands includes: Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Brastemp and Consul, each of which have annual revenues in excess of $1 billion. Our global branded consumer products strategy is to introduce innovative new products, increase brand customer loyalty, expand our presence in foreign markets, enhance our trade management platform, improve total cost and quality by expanding and leveraging our global operating platform and, where appropriate, make strategic acquisitions and investments.

As we grow revenues in our core products, our strategy is to extend our business by offering products and services that are dependent on and related to our core business and expand into adjacent products through stand-alone businesses that leverage our core competencies and business infrastructure.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table summarizes the consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:



	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
Consolidated	2011			2010			Change		2011			2010			Change
Net sales	$	4,625		$	4,519		2.3	%	$	13,755		$	13,325		3.2	%
Gross margin	573			648			(11.6	)%	1,864			2,048			(9.0	)%
Selling, general and administrative	394			391			(0.8	)%	1,199			1,163			(3.1	)%
Restructuring	36			16			(125.0	)%	58			58			—	%
Interest and sundry income (expense)	(27		)	(104		)	nm		(583		)	(185		)	nm
Interest expense	(51		)	(54		)	5.6	%	(160		)	(167		)	4.2	%
Income tax benefit	(123		)	(7		)	nm		(353		)	(18		)	nm
Net earnings available to Whirlpool	177			79			nm		185			448			nm
Diluted net earnings available to Whirlpool per share	$	2.27		$	1.02		nm		$	2.37		$	5.79		nm

nm: not meaningful

Consolidated Net Sales

The following tables summarize units sold and consolidated net sales by region for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:



	Units Sold (in thousands)
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
Region	2011	2010	Change		2011	2010	Change
North America	6,238	6,444	(3.2	)%	18,433	18,699	(1.4	)%
Latin America	2,695	2,846	(5.3	)%	8,370	8,040	4.1	%
Europe, Middle East and Africa	3,249	3,241	0.2	%	8,946	8,832	1.3	%
Asia	979	942	4.0	%	3,031	3,011	0.7	%
Other/eliminations	—	—	—		—	—	—
Consolidated	13,161	13,473	(2.3	)%	38,780	38,582	0.5	%



	Net Sales (in millions)
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
Region	2011			2010			Change		2011			2010			Change
North America	$	2,374		$	2,429		(2.3	)%	$	7,002		$	7,219		(3.0	)%
Latin America	1,207			1,122			7.6	%	3,741			3,306			13.2	%
Europe, Middle East and Africa	874			827			5.8	%	2,458			2,305			6.6	%
Asia	215			195			10.0	%	680			650			4.6	%
Other/eliminations	(45		)	(54		)	—		(126		)	(155		)	—
Consolidated	$	4,625		$	4,519		2.3	%	$	13,755		$	13,325		3.2	%

Consolidated net sales increased 2.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 3.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010. The increase for the three month period is primarily due to favorable foreign currency and favorable product price/mix, partially offset by a decrease in units sold. For the nine month period, the increase is primarily due to favorable foreign currency, an increase in units sold and higher BEFIEX credits, partially offset by unfavorable product price/mix. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, consolidated net sales decreased 0.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Significant regional trends were as follows:

•

North America net sales decreased 2.3% and 3.0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily due to a decrease in units sold. The decrease in net sales for the three month period was partially offset by favorable product price/mix driven by price increases previously announced. The decrease for the nine month period includes the unfavorable impact from product price/mix. Foreign currency did not have a significant impact on net sales in the comparable periods.

•

Latin America net sales increased 7.6% and 13.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010. The increase for the three month period was primarily due to favorable foreign currency and favorable product price/mix, partially offset by a decrease in units sold. The increase for the nine month period reflects the favorable impact of foreign currency, an increase in units sold, favorable product price/mix and higher BEFIEX credits recognized. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales increased 1.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 6.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010.

We monetized $62 million and $56 million of BEFIEX credits during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $207 million and $144 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We expect to continue recognizing credits as they are monetized. At September 30, 2011, $383 million of these credits and related items remain. Future actions by the Brazilian government could limit our ability to monetize these credits.

•

Europe, Middle East and Africa net sales increased 5.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 6.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency, partially offset by unfavorable product price/mix. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales decreased 2.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 1.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010.

•

Asia net sales increased 10.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and increased 4.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency, an increase in units sold and favorable product price/mix. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, net sales increased 6.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 1.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010.

Gross Margin

The consolidated gross margin percentage for the three months ended September 30, 2011 decreased 1.9 points compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to an increase in raw material costs, partially offset by continued productivity improvements and favorable product price/mix. Consolidated gross margin percentage for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 decreased 1.9 points compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to increases in raw material and oil-related costs and unfavorable product price/mix, partially offset by continued productivity improvements and cost reduction initiatives, favorable foreign currency and higher BEFIEX credits recognized.

The following table summarizes gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, by region:



	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
Percentage of net sales	2011		2010		Change			2011		2010		Change
North America	9.8	%	11.9	%	(2.1	)	pts	10.2	%	12.7	%	(2.5	)	pts
Latin America	19.6	%	20.0	%	(0.4	)	pts	20.2	%	21.4	%	(1.2	)	pts
Europe, Middle East and Africa	8.1	%	12.3	%	(4.2	)	pts	11.2	%	13.2	%	(2.0	)	pts
Asia	14.6	%	16.7	%	(2.1	)	pts	16.8	%	17.5	%	(0.7	)	pts
Consolidated	12.4	%	14.3	%	(1.9	)	pts	13.5	%	15.4	%	(1.9	)	pts

Significant regional trends were as follows:

•

North America gross margin decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period in 2010 primarily due to significant increases in raw material and oil-related costs and lower productivity, partially offset by the favorable impact from previously announced price increases. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, gross margin decreased compared to the same period in 2010 primarily due to increases in raw material and oil-related costs and unfavorable product price/mix, partially offset by continued productivity improvements and cost reduction initiatives.

•

Latin America gross margin decreased for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010. The decrease for the three month period was primarily due to higher raw material and oil-related costs and unfavorable foreign currency, partially offset by continued productivity and cost reduction initiatives, an increase in BEFIEX credits recognized and favorable product price/mix. For the nine month period, the decrease was primarily due to higher raw material and oil-related costs, unfavorable foreign currency and product price/mix, partially offset by an increase in BEFIEX credits recognized and productivity improvements.


•	Europe, Middle East and Africa gross margin decreased for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily due to higher raw material and oil-related costs, decreased demand and unfavorable product price/mix, partially offset by continued productivity improvements and cost reduction initiatives.


•	Asia gross margin decreased for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily due to higher raw material and oil-related costs, partially offset by continued productivity improvements and cost reduction initiatives. Product price/mix was unfavorable for the three month period, however, remained favorable for the nine month period.

Selling, General and Administrative

The following table summarizes selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales by region



	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
Millions of dollars	2011		As a % of Net Sales		2010		As a % of Net Sales		2011		As a % of Net Sales		2010		As a % of Net Sales
North America	$	164	6.9	%	$	169	7.0	%	$	497	7.1	%	$	491	6.8	%
Latin America	89		7.4	%	81		7.3	%	270		7.2	%	233		7.1	%
Europe, Middle East and Africa	83		9.5	%	75		9.1	%	243		9.9	%	232		10.0	%
Asia	28		12.9	%	28		14.3	%	86		12.6	%	84		12.8	%
Corporate/other	30		—		38		—		103		—		123		—
Consolidated	$	394	8.5	%	$	391	8.7	%	$	1,199	8.7	%	$	1,163	8.7	%

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, were not materially different compared to the same periods in 2010. Foreign currency accounted for approximately $19 million and $45 million of the increase for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.

Restructuring

Restructuring initiatives resulted in charges of $36 million and $58 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, due to ongoing efforts to optimize our global operating platform. These charges consist primarily of costs to shift laundry, cooking and refrigeration capacity within North America, to shift dishwasher capacity within Europe and to reorganize the workforce throughout Europe.

On October 27, 2011, the Company committed to restructuring plans that will result in substantial cost and capacity reductions beginning in the fourth quarter 2011 through 2013. We expect to incur approximately $105 million of restructuring costs in the fourth quarter of 2011. In addition, these restructuring plans triggered a curtailment in our U.S. retiree healthcare plan, resulting in a curtailment gain. The curtailment gain will be recognized during the periods in which the employees are terminated, of which we expect approximately $32 million will be recognized during the fourth quarter 2011. Additional information about restructuring activities can be found in Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and is incorporated herein by reference.

Interest and Sundry Income (Expense)

Interest and sundry income (expense) decreased $77 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to legal contingencies and legal defense costs incurred during the same period in 2010 that did not recur in 2011. The increase of $398 million for the nine months ended is primarily due to charges related to the settlement of the Brazilian collection dispute and Embraco antitrust matters. For additional information about the Brazilian collection dispute and Embraco antitrust matters, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $3 million and $7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to lower average interest rates.

Income Taxes



	Three Months Ended September 30,											Nine Months Ended September 30,
Millions of dollars	2011						2010					2011					2010
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and other items	$	58					$	76				$	(157	)			$	454
Income tax computed at United States statutory tax rate	$	20		35	%		$	27		35	%	$	(55	)	(35	)%	$	159		35	%
U.S. government tax incentive - Energy Tax Credits	(122		)	(210	)%		(45		)	(59	)%	(255		)	(163	)%	(161		)	(35	)%
Foreign government tax incentive - BEFIEX	(28		)	(48	)%		(18		)	(24	)%	(66		)	(42	)%	(18		)	(4	)%
Other	7			12	%		29			38	%	23			15	%	2			—	%
Income tax computed at effective worldwide tax rates	$	(123	)	(211	)%	—	$	(7	)	(10	)%	$	(353	)	(225	)%	$	(18	)	(4	)%

FORWARD-LOOKING PERSPECTIVE

We currently estimate earnings per diluted share, free cash flow and industry demand for 2011 to be within the following ranges:



Millions of dollars, except per share data			Current Outlook
Estimated earnings per diluted share - September 30, 2011			$4.75	—	$5.25
	Including:
		BEFIEX ($250 to $300 million)	3.20	—	3.84
		Energy tax credit (approximately $350 million)	4.48	—	4.48
		Raw material inflation ($450 to $500 million)	(5.75)	—	(6.39)
Free cash flow			$(150)	—	$(200)
	Including:
		US Pension plan contributions	(300)	—	(300)
		Brazilian collection dispute settlement	(270)	—	(270)
		BEFIEX	250	—	300
Industry demand
	North America		(3)%	—	(5)%
	Latin America		0%	—	5%
	Europe, Middle East and Africa		0%	—	0%
	Asia		2%	—	4%

The earnings per diluted share guidance above reflects several discrete fourth quarter items, including an expected curtailment gain of $32 million within our U.S. retiree healthcare plan and a $61 million supplier reimbursement referenced in Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies, partially offset by incremental restructuring charges of approximately $70 million. The principle drivers for the revision in our expected earnings are related to weakening global industry demand, lower production levels and the unfavorable impact of country and product mix.

The table below reconciles projected 2011 cash provided by operations determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) to free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure. Management believes that free cash flow provides stockholders with a relevant measure of liquidity and a useful basis for assessing Whirlpool’s ability to fund its activities and obligations. There are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures, including the difficulty associated with comparing companies that use similarly named non-GAAP measures whose calculations may differ from our calculations. We define free cash flow as cash provided by continuing operations after capital expenditures and proceeds from the sale of assets/businesses.

These projections are based on many estimates and are inherently subject to change based on future decisions made by management and the Board of Directors of Whirlpool, and significant economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies.



Millions of dollars	Current Outlook
Cash provided by operating activities	$	430		—	$	400
Capital expenditures	(600		)	—	(625		)
Proceeds from sale of assets/businesses	20			—	25
Free cash flow	$	(150	)	—	$	(200	)

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

Our objective is to finance our business through operating cash flow and the appropriate mix of long-term and short-term debt. By diversifying the maturity structure, we avoid concentrations of debt, reducing liquidity risk. We have varying needs for short-term working capital financing as a result of the nature of our business. We believe that operating cash flow, together with access to sufficient sources of liquidity, will be adequate to meet our ongoing requirements to fund our operations.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we have experienced increases in raw material and oil-related costs which have negatively impacted current year operating performance, partially offset with previously announced price increases and productivity improvements. Starting in September 2011, raw material and oil-related costs have stabilized and are expected to remain elevated for the remainder of 2011. Additionally, we have announced substantial cost and production capacity reductions to adjust our business cost structure to expected demand levels and expand operating margins. The aforementioned 2011 experience has coincided with the macroeconomic decline and volatility in the equity markets and related share price decline in peer appliance and durable goods companies. As part of our normal quarterly process, we have reviewed our goodwill and other intangible assets for potential indicators of impairment. We determined an impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets did not exist at September 30, 2011. Adverse changes in assumptions and other risk factors may result in future goodwill or other intangible impairment charges.

We regularly review our capital structure and liquidity priorities, which include funding the business through capital and engineering spending to support innovation and productivity initiatives, funding our pension plan and term debt liabilities, return to shareholders and potential acquisitions in our core business and/or strategic adjacent business opportunities. These priorities are aligned with our goal to return our credit ratings to pre-recession levels. In addition to funding the remaining $264 million related to our settlement of the Brazilian collection dispute, short term potential uses of liquidity include funding approximately $350 million in term debt maturities over the next 8 months, funding our United States pension plans and funding of legal contingencies including the Embraco antitrust matters. At September 30, 2011 we had $5 million in borrowings outstanding under the Facility. We had no borrowings outstanding under our previous credit facility at December 31, 2010. We were in compliance with financial covenant requirements at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Sources and Uses of Cash

We expect to meet our cash needs for 2011 from cash flows from operations, cash and equivalents and financing arrangements. Our cash and equivalents were $511 million at September 30, 2011 compared to $901 million at September 30, 2010. The difference is primarily due to the $301 million payment during the September 2011 quarter related to the settlement of the Brazilian collection dispute and 2011 funding of our United States pension plans of $266 million.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

The increase in cash used by operations includes a $301 million payment during the September 2011 quarter related to the settlement of the Brazilian collection dispute, funding of our United States pension plans of $266 million, and lower cash generated from operating profit. The timing of cash flows from operations varies significantly within a quarter primarily due to changes in production levels, sales patterns, promotional programs, funding requirements as well as receivable and payment terms. Dependent on timing of cash flows, the location of cash balances, as well as the liquidity requirements of each country, external sources of funding may be used to support working capital requirements. Due to the variables discussed above, cash flow used in operations during the quarter was significantly in excess of our month-end balance.

During the March 2011 quarter, the European Parliament approved a directive that changes existing laws regarding supplier payment terms. The approved directive generally requires payment terms to be 30 days from the invoice date unless otherwise

stated in the contract. An extension of up to 60 days is allowed if both parties agree to the terms. Countries within the European Union are required to adopt this directive within 2 years, however they are encouraged to adopt in 2011. Once adopted, these changes could affect our cash flows to suppliers and from customers, since our payment terms to affected suppliers are generally longer than from affected customers.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 totaled $408 million and was comparable to cash used in investing activities of $423 million in 2010.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 totaled $104 million compared to $431 million in 2010. The decrease in cash used during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is primarily due to proceeds received from the $300 million bond offering in June 2011, which was used to repay $310 million of maturing debt. In 2010, $373 million of maturing debt was repaid from available cash.

At September 30, 2011, we had no commercial paper borrowings outstanding.

Dividends

In April 2011, we announced an increase in our quarterly dividend on our common stock to 50 cents per share from 43 cents per share.

Income Taxes

We estimate our income taxes in each of the taxing jurisdictions in which we operate. This involves estimating actual current tax expense together with assessing any temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of certain items, such as the timing for recognizing expenses, for tax and accounting purposes in accordance with GAAP guidance. These differences may result in deferred tax assets or liabilities, which are included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are required to assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets, which include net operating loss carryforwards, tax credits and deductible temporary differences, are expected to be realizable in future years. Realization of our net operating loss and tax credit deferred tax assets is supported by specific tax planning strategies and where possible considers projections of future profitability. If recovery is not more likely than not, we provide a valuation allowance based on estimates of future taxable income in the various taxing jurisdictions, and the amount of deferred taxes that are ultimately realizable. If future taxable income is lower than expected or if tax planning strategies are not available as anticipated, we may record additional valuation allowances through income tax expense in the period such determination is made. Likewise, if we determine that we are able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of net recorded amounts, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset will increase income in the period such determination is made.

OTHER MATTERS

Embraco Antitrust Matters

or any related entities for any conspiracy involving compressor pricing during the investigation period. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Embraco (1) acknowledged that it violated United States antitrust law with respect to the sale of certain compressors from October 2004 through December 2007 and (2) agreed to pay a fine totaling $91.8 million to the United States government. The full amount of the fine was recorded within interest and sundry income (expense) in the third quarter of 2010. Embraco made the first payment of $16.8 million in January 2011. The five remaining annual payments of $15.0 million plus interest will be made during each fourth quarter through 2015.

The final outcome and impact of these matters, and related claims and investigations that may be brought in the future are subject to many variables, and cannot be predicted. We establish accruals only for those matters where we determine that a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, which include the investigation by the European Union and certain other matters. As of September 30, 2011, we have incurred, in the aggregate, charges of approximately $314 million due to the Embraco antitrust matters, including defense costs and other expenses. These charges have been recorded within interest and sundry income (expense) when incurred. At September 30, 2011, $209 million remains accrued. While it is currently not possible to reasonably estimate the aggregate amount of costs which we may incur in connection with these matters, such costs could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

Brazilian Collection Dispute

Operating Tax Matter

Antidumping Petitions

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission have initiated investigations in response to our antidumping and countervailing duty petitions against bottom-mount refrigerators from South Korea and an antidumping petition against the same product from Mexico. The purpose of these petitions is to establish conditions of fair competition in the U.S. market that will support significant investment and innovation in the production of high-end refrigerators in the United States and the U.S. jobs created by that production. The Whirlpool products primarily affected by this case are made in Amana, Iowa, where Whirlpool employs approximately 2,000 people. The U.S. International Trade Commission made a unanimous preliminary determination that imports from South Korea and Mexico are causing material injury to the domestic industry. The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a preliminary determination that certain respondents violated U.S and international trade laws by dumping bottom-mount refrigerators in the United States. Based on the information submitted by the respondents, the U.S. Department of Commerce made a preliminary determination that no countervailable duties are being provided by the South Korean government. Final decisions on these matters, following completion of the investigations, including audits of the respondents' books and records, are currently expected in mid-year 2012.

ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes to our exposures to market risk since December 31, 2010.

ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


(a)	Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Prior to filing this report, we completed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2011.


(b)	Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information with respect to legal proceedings can be found under the heading “Commitments and Contingencies” in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report.


ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, in addition to the other information set forth in this report, could materially affect our business, financial condition or results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results.


ITEM 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None


ITEM 3.	DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None


ITEM 4.	(REMOVED AND RESERVED)


ITEM 5.	OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.EXHIBITS




Exhibit 31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 32.1		Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

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.



		WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
		(Registrant)
	By	/s/ ROY W. TEMPLIN
	Name:	Roy W. Templin
	Title:	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
November 2, 2011