Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

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 June 30, 2007

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

 


PRAXAIR, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


DELAWARE

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

1-11037   06-1249050
(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

39 OLD RIDGEBURY ROAD, DANBURY, CT   06810-5113
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(203) 837-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 


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  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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

At June 29, 2007, 319,855,609 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value) of the Registrant were outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

INDEX

 

     PAGE

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

   Financial Statements   
   Consolidated Statements of Income - Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries Quarter Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)    3
   Consolidated Statements of Income - Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)    4
   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (Unaudited)    5
   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)    6
   Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity - Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 (Unaudited)    7
   Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries (Unaudited)    8

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    17

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    24

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    24

Item 4T.

   Controls and Procedures    24

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    25

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    25

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    25

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    25

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    26

Item 5.

   Other Information    26

Item 6.

   Exhibits    26

Signature

      27

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries


 

Item 1. Financial Statements

PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Millions of dollars, except per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

 

    

Quarter Ended

June 30,

 
     2007     2006  

SALES

   $ 2,332     $ 2,076  

Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization

     1,388       1,238  

Selling, general and administrative

     296       271  

Depreciation and amortization

     189       174  

Research and development

     24       22  

Other income (expense) – net

     4       11  
                

OPERATING PROFIT

     439       382  

Interest expense – net

     41       41  
                

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     398       341  

Income taxes

     103       90  
                
     295       251  

Minority interests

     (9 )     (7 )

Income from equity investments

     5       3  
                

NET INCOME

   $ 291     $ 247  
                

PER SHARE DATA:

    

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.91     $ 0.76  
                

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.89     $ 0.75  
                

Cash dividends per share

   $ 0.30     $ 0.25  
                

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (000’s):

    

Basic shares outstanding

     320,213       323,519  

Diluted shares outstanding

     326,301       329,880  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Millions of dollars, except per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2007     2006  

SALES

   $ 4,507     $ 4,102  

Cost of sales, exclusive of depreciation and amortization

     2,670       2,445  

Selling, general and administrative

     582       544  

Depreciation and amortization

     371       345  

Research and development

     48       43  

Other income (expense) – net

     6       9  
                

OPERATING PROFIT

     842       734  

Interest expense – net

     79       79  
                

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     763       655  

Income taxes

     198       173  
                
     565       482  

Minority interests

     (18 )     (15 )

Income from equity investments

     9       5  
                

NET INCOME

   $ 556     $ 472  
                

PER SHARE DATA:

    

Basic earnings per share

   $ 1.73     $ 1.46  
                

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 1.70     $ 1.43  
                

Cash dividends per share

   $ 0.60     $ 0.50  
                

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (000’s):

    

Basic shares outstanding

     320,488       323,661  

Diluted shares outstanding

     326,447       329,624  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Millions of dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

     June 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006

ASSETS

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 22    $ 36

Accounts receivable - net

     1,641      1,456

Inventories

     429      381

Prepaid and other current assets

     222      186
             

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     2,314      2,059

Property, plant and equipment (less accumulated depreciation of $7,687 at June 30, 2007 and $7,203 at December 31, 2006)

     7,265      6,694

Goodwill

     1,829      1,613

Other intangible assets - net

     114      71

Other long-term assets

     729      665
             

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 12,251    $ 11,102
             

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

     

Accounts payable

   $ 749    $ 682

Short-term debt

     243      130

Current portion of long-term debt

     50      56

Other current liabilities

     867      890
             

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     1,909      1,758

Long-term debt

     3,407      2,981

Other long-term obligations

     1,851      1,587
             

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     7,167      6,326
             

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

     

Minority interests

     234      222

Shareholders’ equity

     4,850      4,554
             

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 12,251    $ 11,102
             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Millions of dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2007     2006  

OPERATIONS

    

Net income

   $ 556     $ 472  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     371       345  

Deferred income taxes

     1       54  

Stock-based compensation

     21       22  

Accounts receivable

     (163 )     (76 )

Inventory

     (37 )     (20 )

Prepaid and other current assets

     (17 )     (13 )

Payables and accruals

     17       (15 )

Pension contributions

     (14 )     (118 )

Other

     44       (16 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     779       635  
                

INVESTING

    

Capital expenditures

     (614 )     (526 )

Acquisitions

     (327 )     (6 )

Divestitures and asset sales

     21       13  
                

Net cash used for investing activities

     (920 )     (519 )
                

FINANCING

    

Short-term debt borrowings - net

     84       128  

Long-term debt borrowings

     417       66  

Long-term debt repayments

     (28 )     (248 )

Issuances of common stock

     167       156  

Purchases of common stock

     (353 )     (217 )

Cash dividends

     (192 )     (161 )

Minority interest transactions and other

     (4 )     (5 )

Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises

     34       12  
                

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     125       (269 )
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     2       1  
                

Change in cash and cash equivalents

     (14 )     (152 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning-of-period

     36       173  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end-of-period

   $ 22     $ 21  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollar amounts in millions, except share data, shares in thousands)

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Common Stock    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   Treasury Stock     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)(b)
    Total  

Activity

   Shares    Amounts       Shares     Amounts        

Balance, January 1, 2007

   367,645    $ 4    $ 2,729    46,784     $ (1,739 )   $ 4,687     $ (1,127 )   $ 4,554  

Net income

                  556         556  

Translation adjustments

                    208       208  

SFAS No. 158 pension liability, net of $7 million of taxes

                    7       7  
                         

Comprehensive income(a)

                      771  
                         

FIN 48 (Note 11)

                  (158 )       (158 )

Dividends on common stock ($0.60 per share)

                  (192 )       (192 )

Issuances of common stock:

                   

For the dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan

   46         3              3  

For employee savings and incentive plans

   3,361         118    (1,174 )     46           164  

Purchases of common stock

            5,587       (356 )         (356 )

Tax benefit from stock options

           43              43  

Stock option expense

           21              21  
                                                         

Balance, June 30, 2007

   371,052    $ 4    $ 2,914    51,197     $ (2,049 )   $ 4,893     $ (912 )   $ 4,850  
                                                         

(a) The components of comprehensive income are as follows:

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,    Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2007    2006    2007    2006  

Net income

   $ 291    $ 247    $ 556    $ 472  

Translation adjustments

     148      21      208      94  

Pension/OPEB funded status obligation *

     5      —        7      (11 )
                             
   $ 444    $ 268    $ 771    $ 555  
                             

* Minimum pension liability in 2006.

 

(b) The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

 

     June 30,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

Accumulated translation adjustments

   $ (667 )   $ (875 )

Accumulated pension/OPEB funded status obligation

     (244 )     (251 )

Accumulated derivatives

     (1 )     (1 )
                
   $ (912 )   $ (1,127 )
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PRAXAIR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Presentation of Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - In the opinion of Praxair, Inc. (Praxair) management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented and such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to the consolidated financial statements of Praxair, Inc. and subsidiaries in Praxair’s 2006 Annual Report. There have been no material changes to the company’s significant accounting policies during 2007 except for the adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (FIN 48), effective January 1, 2007.

Accounting Standards Implemented in 2007

Effective January 1, 2007, Praxair adopted FIN 48 which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (SFAS 109). See Note 11 for information relating to the implementation of this interpretation and other required disclosures pertaining to uncertain tax positions.

Accounting Standards to Be Implemented

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (SFAS 159). This statement permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS 159 requires additional disclosures related to the fair value measurements included in the financial statements. This statement is effective on January 1, 2008 for Praxair and the company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this statement on the consolidated financial statements.

2. Stock-Based Compensation

The company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R). Stock-based compensation of $10 million ($8 million after tax) and $11 million ($7 million after tax) was recognized during the quarters ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Stock-based compensation of $21 million ($16 million after tax) and $22 million ($14 million after tax) was recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The expense was primarily recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. There was no share-based compensation cost capitalized. For further details regarding Praxair’s stock-based compensation arrangements, refer to Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included on page 57 of Praxair’s 2006 Annual Report.

Stock Options

There were no options granted during the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2007 was $10.97 based on the Black-Scholes Options-Pricing model. The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006 was $11.57 and $10.85, respectively, based on the Black-Scholes Options-Pricing model. The following weighted-average assumptions were used for grants in 2007 and 2006:

 

    

Quarter Ended

June 30,

    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2007    2006     2007     2006  

Dividend yield

   Not Applicable    1.83 %   1.95 %   1.85 %

Volatility

   Not Applicable    17.67 %   15.32 %   17.64 %

Risk-free interest rate

   Not Applicable    5.07 %   4.52 %   4.65 %

Expected term years

   Not Applicable    5     5     5  

 

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The following table summarizes option activity under the plans as of June 30, 2007 and changes during the six-month period then ended (averages are calculated on a weighted basis; life in years; intrinsic value expressed in millions):

 

Activity

   Number of
Options (000’s)
    Average
Exercise Price
   Average
Remaining
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

Outstanding at January 1, 2007

   21,771     $ 35.28      

Granted

   3,811       61.48      

Exercised

   (3,620 )     28.69      

Cancelled or expired

   (72 )     26.61      
              

Outstanding at June 30, 2007

   21,890       40.96    6.8    $ 681
                        

Exercisable at June 30, 2007

   14,177     $ 32.57    5.5    $ 558
                        

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the company’s closing stock price of $71.99 as of June 29, 2007 and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding as of that date. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007 was $81 million and $136 million, respectively ($15 million and $53 million for the same time periods in 2006, respectively).

Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007 was $63 million and $104 million, respectively ($14 million and $48 million for the same time periods in 2006, respectively). The actual tax benefit realized from stock option exercises totaled $25 million and $43 million for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively ($5 million and $17 million for the same time periods in 2006, respectively).

As of June 30, 2007, $58 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.6 years.

Performance-Based and Restricted Stock Awards

During February 2007, the company granted performance based stock awards to senior level executives for 70,520 shares that vest based on the attainment of specified performance targets over a two-year performance period from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008. At the end of the performance period, the actual number of shares issued can range from zero to 200 percent of the shares granted. Compensation expense related to these awards is recognized over the two-year performance period based on the fair value of the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant ($61.47 per share) and the estimated performance that will be achieved. In addition, the company has granted restricted stock to certain key employees that vest after a designated service period ranging from two to ten years.

The following table summarizes nonvested performance-based and restricted stock award activity as of June 30, 2007 and changes during the period then ended (averages are calculated on a weighted basis):

 

Performance-Based and Restricted Stock Activity

   Number of
Shares (000’s)
    Average
Grant Date Fair Value

Nonvested at January 1, 2007

   63     $ 21.35

Granted

   71       61.47

Vested

   (27 )     21.01

Forfeited

   (17 )     19.72
        

Nonvested at June 30, 2007

   90    
        

 

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As of June 30, 2007, $5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to performance-based awards is expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis through 2009 and less than $1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to the restricted stock awards is expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis through 2011.

3. Inventories

The following is a summary of Praxair’s consolidated inventories:

 

(Millions of dollars)

   June 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006

Raw materials and supplies

   $ 115    $ 104

Work in process

     60      50

Finished goods

     254      227
             
   $ 429    $ 381
             

 

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4. Debt

The following is a summary of Praxair’s outstanding debt at June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006:

 

(Millions of dollars)

   June 30,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

SHORT-TERM

    

US bank borrowings

   $ 11     $ 9  

European borrowings

     17       —    

Canadian borrowings

     20       —    

South American borrowings

     38       35  

Asian borrowings

     136       79  

Other international borrowings

     21       7  
                

Total short-term debt

     243       130  
                

LONG-TERM

    

U.S. borrowings

    

4.75% Notes due 2007 (c)

     250       250  

6.625% Notes due 2007 (c)

     250       250  

6.50% Notes due 2008 (c)

     250       250  

2.75% Notes due 2008 (a,c)

     300       299  

6.375% Notes due 2012 (a, b)

     522       524  

3.95% Notes due 2013 (a)

     349       349  

5.375% Notes due 2016 (a)

     399       399  

5.20% Notes due 2017 (a, d)

     324       —    

Other

     6       8  

European borrowings

     606       590  

Canadian borrowings (c)

     94       —    

South American borrowings

     76       83  

Asian borrowings

     17       21  

Other international borrowings

     5       4  

Obligations under capital leases

     9       10  
                
     3,457       3,037  

Less: current portion of long-term debt

     (50 )     (56 )
                

Total long-term debt

     3,407       2,981  
                

Total debt

   $ 3,700     $ 3,167  
                

(a) Amounts are net of unamortized discounts.
(b) June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 include a $23 million and $25 million fair value increase, respectively, related to SFAS 133 hedge accounting. See Note 13 on page 55 of the 2006 Annual Report.
(c) Classified as long-term because of the Company’s intent to refinance this debt on a long-term basis and the availability of such financing under the terms of existing agreements.
(d) On March 15, 2007, Praxair issued $325 million of 5.20% Notes due 2017. The proceeds were used to refinance existing debt and for general corporate purposes.

 

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5. Financial Instruments

The following table is a summary of the notional amount of currency derivatives outstanding at June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (all maturities within one year):

 

(Millions of dollars)

   June 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006

CURRENCY CONTRACTS

     

Balance sheet items

   $ 778    $ 758

Anticipated net income

     105      —  
             
   $ 883    $ 758
             

Praxair enters into currency exchange forward contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Hedges of balance-sheet items are related to recorded balance-sheet exposures, including intercompany transactions. The net income hedges outstanding at June 30, 2007 are related to anticipated net income in Brazil and Canada. There were no net income hedges outstanding at December 31, 2006. Other income (expense) – net includes a $1 million loss for the quarter and for the six months ended June 30, 2007 related to anticipated net income (no gain or loss for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006).

At June 30, 2007, the fair value of all derivative instruments has been recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as follows: $2 million in current assets and $2 million in current liabilities ($3 million in current assets and $3 million in current liabilities at December 31, 2006). There were no interest-rate derivatives outstanding at June 30, 2007 or December 31, 2006.

6. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of Praxair common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of Praxair common shares outstanding and dilutive common stock equivalents, as follows:

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,    Six Months Ended June 30,
     2007    2006    2007    2006

NUMERATOR (MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

           

Net income used in basic and diluted EPS

   $ 291    $ 247    $ 556    $ 472

DENOMINATOR (THOUSANDS OF SHARES)

           

Weighted average shares outstanding

     319,215      322,470      319,478      322,620

Shares earned and issuable under compensation plans

     998      1,049      1,010      1,041
                           

Weighted average shares used in basic earnings per share

     320,213      323,519      320,488      323,661

Effect of dilutive securities

           

Performance-based stock awards

     106      —        73      —  

Employee stock options

     5,982      6,361      5,886      5,963
                           

Weighted average shares used in diluted earnings per share

     326,301      329,880      326,447      329,624
                           

BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.91    $ 0.76    $ 1.73    $ 1.46

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.89    $ 0.75    $ 1.70    $ 1.43

 

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For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007, no stock options were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common stock. Stock options for 25,100 shares and 3,999,180 shares for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively, were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common stock.

7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” requires the company to perform an assessment at least annually as to whether there is an indication that the carrying value of goodwill is impaired at the reporting unit level. The annual impairment tests for 2007 and 2006 were performed during the second quarter of each year and no impairments were indicated.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were as follows:

 

(Millions of dollars)

   North
America
    South
America
   Europe    Asia    Surface
Technologies
   Total

Balance, December 31, 2006

   $ 998     $ 181    $ 326    $ 29    $ 79    $ 1,613

Acquisitions (Note 12)

     168       —        —        —        —        168

Purchase adjustments

     (1 )     —        2      —        —        1

Foreign currency translation

     12       22      9      2      2      47
                                          

Balance, June 30, 2007

   $ 1,177     $ 203    $ 337    $ 31    $ 81    $ 1,829
                                          

Changes in the carrying amount of other intangibles for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were as follows:

 

     Customer &
License/Use
Agreements
    Non-compete
Agreements
    Patents &
Other
    Total  

Cost:

        

Balance, December 31, 2006

   $ 72     $ 39     $ 16     $ 127  

Acquisitions (Note 12)

     47       5       —         52  

Foreign currency translation

     1       —         —         1  

Other

     —         (4 )     1       (3 )
                                

Balance, June 30, 2007

   $ 120     $ 40     $ 17     $ 177  
                                

Less: Accumulated amortization

        

Balance, December 31, 2006

   $ (26 )   $ (24 )   $ (6 )   $ (56 )

Amortization expense

     (5 )     (4 )     (1 )     (10 )

Other

     —         4       (1 )     3  
                                

Balance, June 30, 2007

   $ (31 )   $ (24 )   $ (8 )   $ (63 )
                                

Net balance at June 30, 2007

   $ 89     $ 16     $ 9     $ 114  
                                

There are no expected residual values related to these intangible assets. The remaining weighted-average amortization period for intangible assets is approximately 11 years. Total estimated annual amortization expense is $10 million for the remainder of 2007; $15 million, $13 million, $12 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively; and $54 million thereafter.

 

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8. Pension and OPEB

The components of net pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions (OPEB) costs for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 are shown below:

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,    Six Months Ended June 30,
     Pensions     OPEB    Pensions     OPEB

(Millions of dollars)

   2007     2006     2007    2006    2007     2006     2007    2006

Service cost

   $ 11     $ 11     $ 1    $ 2    $ 22     $ 21     $ 2    $ 4

Interest cost

     27       24       4      4      54       48       8      8

Expected return on plan assets

     (32 )     (29 )     —        —        (63 )     (57 )     —        —  

Net amortization and deferral

     7       7       —        —        13       14       —        —  
                                                           

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 13     $ 13     $ 5    $ 6    $ 26     $ 26     $ 10    $ 12
                                                           

Praxair estimates that 2007 contributions to its pension plans will be in the area of $25 to $50 million including required contributions. Contributions of $14 million have been made through June 30, 2007.

9. Legal Proceedings

Praxair is subject to various lawsuits and government investigations that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. These actions are based upon alleged environmental, tax, antitrust and personal injury claims, among others. Praxair has strong defenses in these cases and intends to defend itself vigorously. It is possible that the Company may incur losses in connection with some of these actions in excess of accrued liabilities. Management does not anticipate that in the aggregate such losses would have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position or liquidity; however, it is possible that the final outcomes could have a significant impact on the Company’s reported results of operations in any given period (see Note 18 on page 62 of the 2006 Annual Report).

Among such matters are claims brought by welders alleging that exposure to manganese contained in welding fumes caused neurological injury. Praxair has never manufactured welding consumables. Such products were manufactured prior to 1985 by a predecessor company of Praxair. As of June 30, 2007, Praxair was a co-defendant with many other companies in 531 lawsuits alleging personal injury caused by manganese contained in welding fumes. There were a total of 3,842 individual claimants in these cases. The cases were pending in several state and federal courts. The federal cases have been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for coordinated pretrial proceedings. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory and, in most instances, punitive damages. In the past, Praxair has either been dismissed from the cases with no payment or has settled a few cases for nominal amounts. There also are eight proposed class actions seeking medical monitoring on behalf of welders. None of the class actions have been certified. No reserves have been recorded for these cases as management does not believe that a loss from them is probable or reasonably estimable.

 

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10. Segments

Sales and operating profit by segment for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 are shown below (for a description of Praxair’s operating segments, refer to Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements included on page 63 of Praxair’s 2006 Annual Report):

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,    Six Months Ended June 30,

(Dollar amounts in millions)

   2007    2006    2007    2006

SALES(a)

           

North America

   $ 1,293    $ 1,158    $ 2,498    $ 2,327

Europe

     336      296      666      564

South America

     393      340      741      657

Asia

     179      155      346      302

Surface Technologies

     131      127      256      252
                           
   $ 2,332    $ 2,076    $ 4,507    $ 4,102
                           

OPERATING PROFIT

           

North America

   $ 231    $ 215    $ 448    $ 415

Europe

     79      65      151      124

South America

     76      58      142      115

Asia

     30      28      57      51

Surface Technologies

     23      16      44      29
                           
   $ 439    $ 382    $ 842    $ 734
                           

(a) Intersegment sales, primarily from North America to other segments, were not significant for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

11. Income Taxes – Adoption of FIN 48

Effective January 1, 2007, Praxair adopted FIN 48 which provides a comprehensive model for the recognition, measurement and disclosure in financial statements of uncertain income tax positions that a company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. Under FIN 48, a company can recognize the benefit of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. Otherwise, no benefit can be recognized. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Additionally, companies are required to accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. The adoption of FIN 48 resulted in a non-cash transition charge of $158 million, recorded as a reduction to beginning retained earnings. The transition adjustment relates primarily to tax positions related to foreign operations where the original tax benefit related to periods prior to 2002. Interest and penalties on tax reserves are classified as income tax expense in the financial statements.

As of January 1, 2007, the Company has reserves for unrecognized income tax benefits totaling $309 million and related accrued interest and penalties of $31 million (after related tax benefits). If recognized, essentially all of the unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties would be recorded as a benefit to income tax expense on the consolidated statement of income. The Company does not currently anticipate significant changes in the amount of unrecognized income tax benefits over the next year.

 

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As of January 1, 2007, the company remained subject to examination in the following major tax jurisdictions for the tax years as indicated below:

 

Major Tax Jurisdictions

  

Open Years

North America

  

United States

   2005 and 2006

Canada

   1999 through 2006

Mexico

   2002 through 2006

Europe

  

Germany

   2004 through 2006

Italy

   2002 through 2006

Spain

   1997 through 2006

South America

  

Brazil

   1998 through 2006

Asia

  

China

   2006

India

   1999 through 2006

Korea

   2002 through 2006

Thailand

   2002 through 2006

12. Acquisitions

During the six months ended June 30, 2007, Praxair acquired Linde AG’s industrial and medical gas business in Mexico as well as Mittler Supply, Inc., an independent packaged gas distributor with operations across the midwestern United States. In addition, Praxair completed several small acquisitions, primarily related to North American packaged gas distributors. The aggregate purchase price for the acquisitions was $327 million and resulted in the recognition of $168 million of goodwill.

The results of operations of these businesses have been included in Praxair’s consolidated statements of income since their respective dates of acquisition. The allocations of the purchase price are based on preliminary estimates and assumptions at the date of acquisition and are subject to revision based on final information received, including appraisals and other analyses that support underlying estimates.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Consolidated Results

The following table provides summary data for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006:

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  

(Dollar amounts in millions)

   2007     2006     Variance     2007     2006     Variance  

Sales

   $ 2,332     $ 2,076     +12 %   $ 4,507     $ 4,102     +10 %

Gross margin(a)

   $ 944     $ 838     +13 %   $ 1,837     $ 1,657     +11 %

As a percent of sales

     40.5 %     40.4 %       40.8 %     40.4 %  

Selling, general and administrative

   $ 296     $ 271     +9 %   $ 582     $ 544     +7 %

As a percent of sales

     12.7 %     13.1 %       12.9 %     13.3 %  

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 189     $ 174     +9 %   $ 371     $ 345     +8 %

Other income (expenses) – net

   $ 4     $ 11       $ 6     $ 9    

Operating profit

   $ 439     $ 382     +15 %   $ 842     $ 734     +15 %

Interest expense - net

   $ 41     $ 41     —       $ 79     $ 79     —    

Effective tax rate

     25.9 %     26.4 %       26.0 %     26.4 %  

Net income

   $ 291     $ 247     +18 %   $ 556     $ 472     +18 %

(a) Gross margin excludes depreciation and amortization expense.

Sales increased $256 million, or 12%, for the second quarter and $405 million, or 10%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. Sales growth was driven by significant new business coming on-stream in the energy end-market and new business in Asia and South America. Volume growth of 5% and 4% for the quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively reflects continued strong volumes to the manufacturing, energy, and metals end-markets. Price increases of 3% for the quarter and year-to-date periods were predominantly realized in North America, South America and Europe due to continued pricing actions and the passthrough of higher power costs and surcharges. Currency appreciation increased sales by 3% for the quarter and year-to-date periods. Acquisitions and divestitures net contributed 1% to sales in the quarter and were neutral to sales year-to-date.

Gross margin in 2007 improved $106 million, or 13%, for the second quarter and $180 million, or 11%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. The increases in the second quarter and year-to-date gross margin percentages, to 40.5% and 40.8%, respectively, were due primarily to higher sales and cost efficiency and productivity programs which outpaced underlying inflationary cost pressures.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the second quarter were $296 million, or 12.7% of sales, versus $271 million, or 13.1% of sales, for the respective 2006 period. SG&A expenses for the six-month period were $582 million, or 12.9% of sales, versus $544 million, or 13.3% of sales, for the respective 2006 period. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of sales was due to realized benefits from productivity initiatives.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $15 million, or 9%, for the second quarter and $26 million, or 8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. The increase was principally due to new plant start-ups and currency effects.

Other income (expenses) – net was a $4 million and $6 million benefit for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively. The quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006 included a $15 million gain resulting from insurance recoveries.

Operating profit increased $57 million or 15% for the second quarter and $108 million or 15% for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. The quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2006 included a $15 million benefit from insurance recoveries. Excluding the insurance recoveries in 2006, operating profit increased $72 million, or 20% for the second quarter, and $123 million, or 17%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007. This increase was principally driven by higher pricing, increased sales volumes and the continued impact of focused productivity initiatives.

Interest expense – net was flat for the second quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2007.

The effective tax rate remained essentially unchanged for all periods presented.

 

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Net income increased $44 million, or 18%, for the second quarter and $84 million, or 18%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. Excluding the $10 million benefit, net of tax, from insurance recoveries in 2006, net income increased $54 million, or 23% for the second quarter, and $94 million, or 20%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Operating profit growth was the primary driver of the net income improvement.

The number of employees at June 30, 2007 was 28,035, an increase of 993 employees from December 31, 2006, primarily due to acquisitions completed in 2007.

Segment Discussion

The following summary of sales and operating profit by segment provides a basis for the discussion that follows:

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  

(Dollar amounts in millions)

   2007    2006    Variance     2007    2006    Variance  

SALES

                

North America

   $ 1,293    $ 1,158    +12 %   $ 2,498    $ 2,327    +7 %

Europe

     336      296    +14 %     666      564    +18 %

South America

     393      340    +16 %     741      657    +13 %

Asia

     179      155    +15 %     346      302    +15 %

Surface Technologies

     131      127    +3 %     256      252    +2 %
                                
   $ 2,332    $ 2,076    +12 %   $ 4,507    $ 4,102    +10 %
                                

OPERATING PROFIT

                

North America

   $ 231    $ 215    +7 %   $ 448    $ 415    +8 %

Europe

     79      65    +22 %     151      124    +22 %

South America

     76      58    +31 %     142      115    +23 %

Asia

     30      28    +7 %     57      51    +12 %

Surface Technologies

     23      16    +44 %     44      29    +52 %
                                
   $ 439    $ 382    +15 %   $ 842    $ 734    +15 %
                                

North America

Sales increased $135 million, or 12%, for the second quarter and $171 million, or 7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. Higher pricing increased sales by 4% and 3% for the quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, due to pricing actions to recover high energy costs. Volume growth increased 4% and 2% for the quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, from higher on-site, merchant liquid and packaged gases volumes primarily to the energy and general manufacturing end-markets. Acquisitions contributed 3% and 2% to sales in the quarter and year-to-date periods. The pass-through of natural gas costs to on-site hydrogen customers increased sales by 1% for the quarter and was neutral to sales year-to-date with minimal impact on operating profit.

Operating profit increased $16 million, or 7%, for the second quarter and $33 million, or 8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. The quarter and six month period ended June 30, 2006 included a $15 million benefit from insurance recoveries. Excluding the insurance recoveries in 2006, operating profit increased $31 million, or 16%, for the second quarter and $48 million, or 12%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Higher volumes, realized price increases and the continued focus on productivity initiatives were the primary drivers to the strong operating profit growth in the quarter and year-to-date periods.

During the six months ended June 30, 2007, Praxair acquired Linde AG’s industrial and medical gas business in Mexico as well as Mittler Supply, Inc., an independent packaged gas distributor with operations across the midwestern United States. In addition, Praxair completed the acquisition of two smaller packaged gas distributors in North America (see Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).

 

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Europe

Sales increased $40 million, or 14%, for the second quarter and $102 million, or 18%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. Currency appreciation contributed 8% and 9% to sales growth in the quarter and year-to-date periods. Volume growth of 4% and 6% in the quarter and year-to-date periods was due to growth in merchant and on-site sales in Spain, Italy, Germany and Western Europe as well as strong homecare and packaged gas sales. Realized price increases of 2% and 3% in the quarter and year-to-date periods included the pass through of higher energy and power costs.

Operating profit increased $14 million, or 22%, for the second quarter and $27 million, or 22%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. Operating profit growth was driven by increased sales volumes, the continued impact of cost reduction programs and currency appreciation.

South America

Sales increased $53 million, or 16%, for the second quarter and $84 million, or 13%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. The quarter and six month period ended June 30, 2006 included an equipment sale to a Venezuela customer. Excluding the equipment sale in 2006 and currency appreciation, sales increased 14% and 10% for the quarter and year-to-date periods primarily due to new business and plant start-ups. Sales also increased to the manufacturing, metals and food and beverage end-markets.

Operating profit increased $18 million or 31% for the second quarter and $27 million, or 23%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. Increased volumes, the continued impact of cost-reduction programs and higher pricing continued to outpace inflationary pressures, favorably contributing to operating profit growth. Currency appreciation also contributed to operating profit growth.

Asia

Sales increased $24 million, or 15%, for the second quarter and $44 million, or 15%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. Excluding the impact of currency appreciation, sales increased 10% and 11% for the quarter and year-to-date periods due to strong on-site and liquid volumes in China, India and Korea primarily to the electronics and metals end-markets.

Operating profit increased $2 million or 7%, for the second quarter and $6 million, or 12%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. Increased sales volumes and productivity initiatives were the primary drivers of operating profit growth offset by the limited pass through of higher power costs due to merchant pricing pressures. In addition, margins were pressured from strong growth in electronics gases and materials, where pricing trends continue to be negative.

Surface Technologies

Sales increased $4 million, or 3%, for the second quarter and $4 million, or 2%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. Excluding the impact of the divestiture of its aviation services business in July 2006, sales increased 16% for the quarter and 15% for the year-to-date period. The sales growth in the quarter and year to date period was primarily due to higher volumes of industrial coatings for power turbines and OEM aircraft engine parts and realized price increases. Currency appreciation, primarily in Europe, contributed 4% to sales growth in the quarter and year-to-date periods.

Operating profit increased $7 million, or 44%, for the second quarter and $15 million, or 52%, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 versus the respective 2006 periods. The increase was principally driven by volume growth as well as the favorable benefits of ongoing cost reduction actions and pricing actions to offset increasing raw material costs.

 

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Currency

The results of Praxair’s non-U.S. operations are translated to the company’s reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, from the functional currencies used in the countries in which the company operates. For most foreign operations, Praxair uses the local currency as its functional currency. There is inherent variability and unpredictability in the relationship of these functional currencies to the U.S. dollar and such currency movements may materially impact Praxair’s results of operations in any given period.

To help understand the reported results, the following is a summary of the significant currencies underlying Praxair’s consolidated results and the exchange rates used to translate the financial statements (rates of exchange expressed in units of local currency per U.S. dollar):

 

Currency

   Percent of
YTD 2007
Consolidated
Sales (a)
    Exchange rate for
Income Statement
   Exchange rate for
Balance Sheet
     Year-To-Date Average    June 30,
2007
   December 31,
2006
     2007    2006      

Brazilian real

   14 %   2.04    2.19    1.93    2.14

European euro

   14 %   0.75    0.82    0.74    0.76

Canadian dollar

   8 %   1.14    1.15    1.07    1.16

Mexican peso

   5 %   10.99    10.83    10.87    10.88

Chinese RMB

   2 %   7.74    8.04    7.62    7.81

Indian rupee

   2 %   42.83    44.89    40.97    44.38

Korean won

   2 %   935    970    928    930

Argentinean peso

   1 %   3.09    3.07    3.09    3.06

Venezuelan bolivar

   1 %   2,150    2,150    2,150    2,150

(a) Certain Surface technologies segment sales are included in European and Brazilian sales.

 

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Liquidity, Capital Resources and Other Financial Data

The following selected cash flow information provides a basis for the discussion that follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

(Millions of dollars)

   2007     2006  

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR):

    

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 556     $ 472  

Depreciation and amortization

     371       345  

Accounts receivable

     (163 )     (76 )

Inventory

     (37 )     (20 )

Payables and accruals

     17       (15 )

Pension contributions

     (14 )     (118 )

Other – net

     49       47  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 779     $ 635  
                

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Capital expenditures

   $ (614 )   $ (526 )

Acquisitions

     (327 )     (6 )

Divestitures and asset sales

     21       13  
                

Net cash used for investing activities

   $ (920 )   $ (519 )
                

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Debt increases (reductions) - net

   $ 473     $ (54 )

Issuances of common stock

     167       156  

Purchases of common stock

     (353 )     (217 )

Cash dividends

     (192 )     (161 )

Minority transactions and other

     (4 )     (5 )

Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises

     34       12  
                

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

   $ 125     $ (269 )
                

Cash Flow from Operations

Cash provided by operations of $779 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 increased $144 million versus 2006. The increase was principally a result of higher net income and lower pension contributions compared with 2006, partially offset by working capital growth related to the strong sales increase.

Investing

Net cash used for investing of $920 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 increased $401 million versus 2006 primarily due to the acquisition of Linde AG’s industrial and medical gas business in Mexico and an independent packaged gas distributor in the United States in the first quarter of 2007 (see Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Capital expenditures increased $88 million versus 2006 reflecting continued investment in new on-site projects supported by long-term customer contracts in North America, South America and Asia.

Financing

Cash provided by financing activities of $125 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 increased $394 million versus the respective 2006 period primarily due to higher debt levels used to fund acquisitions and common stock repurchases during 2007. At June 30, 2007, Praxair’s total debt outstanding was $3,700 million, an increase of $533 million from December 31, 2006. On March 15, 2007, Praxair issued $325 million of 5.20% notes due 2017.

 

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Cash dividends of $192 million increased $31 million from the year ago period, reflecting a 19% increase and were $0.60 per share for the year-to-date period in 2007 compared to $0.50 per share for the year-to-date period in 2006.

On July 25, 2007, the company announced that the company’s Board of Directors approved a $1 billion share repurchase program authorizing the company to repurchase shares from time to time on the open market or through negotiated transactions, subject to market and business conditions. Share repurchases under this program are expected to be completed over the next two years and will be financed by available cash and debt.

Legal Proceedings

See Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a description of current legal proceedings.

Other Financial Data

Definitions of the following non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar definitions used by other companies. Praxair believes that its debt-to-capital ratio is appropriate for measuring its financial leverage. The company believes that its after-tax return on invested capital ratio is an appropriate measure for judging performance as it reflects the approximate after-tax profit earned as a percentage of investments by all parties in the business (debt, minority interests and shareholders’ equity). The company believes that its return on equity is an appropriate measure for judging the performance for shareholders.

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)

   June 30,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 

TOTAL CAPITAL

    

Debt

   $ 3,700     $ 3,167  

Minority interests

     234       222  

Shareholders’ equity

     4,850       4,554  
                
   $ 8,784     $ 7,943  
                

DEBT-TO-CAPITAL RATIO

     42.1 %     39.9 %

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

AFTER-TAX RETURN ON CAPITAL (ROC)

        

Operating profit

   $ 439     $ 382     $ 842     $ 734  

Less: reported taxes

     (103 )     (90 )     (198 )     (173 )

Less: tax benefit on interest expense(a)

     (11 )     (11 )     (21 )     (21 )

Add: equity income

     5       3       9       5  
                                

Net operating profit after-tax (NOPAT)

   $ 330     $ 284     $ 632     $ 545  
                                

Beginning capital

   $ 8,433     $ 7,740     $ 7,943     $ 7,551  

Ending capital

   $ 8,784     $ 7,926     $ 8,784     $ 7,926  

Average capital

   $ 8,609     $ 7,833     $ 8,364     $ 7,739  

ROC %

     3.8 %     3.6 %     7.6 %     7.0 %

ROC % (annualized)

     15.3 %     14.5 %     15.1 %     14.1 %

(a) Tax benefit on interest expense is based on Praxair’s underlying effective tax rates of 26% for 2007 and 2006.

 

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     Quarter Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2007     2006     2007     2006  

RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE)

        

Reported net income

   $ 291     $ 247     $ 556     $ 472  

Beginning capital

   $ 4,467     $ 4,125     $ 4,554     $ 3,902  

Ending capital

   $ 4,850     $ 4,269     $ 4,850     $ 4,269  

Average capital

   $ 4,659     $ 4,197     $ 4,702     $ 4,086  

ROE %

     6.2 %     5.9 %     11.8 %     11.6 %

ROE % (annualized)

     25.0 %     23.5 %     23.6 %     23.1 %

New Accounting Standards

Refer to Note 1 of the condensed consolidated financial statements for information regarding new accounting standards.

Outlook

For the third quarter of 2007, diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.89 to $0.91.

For the full year of 2007, Praxair expects continued year-over-year sales growth in the range of 10% to 12%. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $3.50 to $3.55. Full-year capital expenditures are expected to be in the area of $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion, supporting a growing backlog of new projects and new business in all geographic regions. Praxair expects an effective tax rate of about 26% for 2007.

Praxair provides quarterly updates on operating results, material trends that may affect financial performance, and financial earnings guidance via quarterly earnings releases and investor teleconferences. These updates are available on the company’s website, www.praxair.com, but are not incorporated herein.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date the statements are made but involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the performance of stock markets generally; developments in worldwide and national economies and other international events and circumstances; changes in foreign currencies and in interest rates; the cost and availability of electric power, natural gas and other raw materials; the ability to achieve price increases to offset cost increases; catastrophic events including natural disasters, epidemics and acts of war and terrorism; the ability to attract, hire, and retain qualified personnel; the impact of changes in financial accounting standards; the impact of tax, environmental, home healthcare and other legislation and government regulation in jurisdictions in which the company operates; the cost and outcomes of litigation and regulatory agency actions; continued timely development and market acceptance of new products and applications; the impact of competitive products and pricing; future financial and operating performance of major customers and industries served; and the effectiveness and speed of integrating new acquisitions into the business. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual future results or circumstances to differ materially from the projections or estimates contained in the forward-looking statements. The company assumes no obligation to update or provide revisions to any forward-looking statement in response to changing circumstances. The above listed risks and uncertainties are further described in Item 1A (Risk Factors) in the company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC which should be reviewed carefully. Please consider the company’s forward-looking statements in light of those risks.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Refer to the “Market Risks and Sensitivity Analyses” discussion on page 43 in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of Praxair’s 2006 Annual Report.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Based on an evaluation of the effectiveness of Praxair’s disclosure controls and procedures (the “Evaluation”), which evaluation was made under the supervision and with the participation of management, including Praxair’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have each concluded that, as of the end of the quarterly period covered by this report, such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by Praxair in reports that it files under the Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

(b) There were no changes in Praxair’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarterly period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Praxair’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 4T. Controls and Procedures

Not applicable.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries


 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a description of current legal proceedings.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. to Part I of Praxair’s 2006 Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Purchases of Equity Securities - Certain information regarding purchases made by or on behalf of the company or any affiliated purchaser (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of its common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2007 is provided below:

 

Period

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average
Price Paid
Per Share
   Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs(1)
   Maximum Number (or
approximate dollar
value) of Shares that
May Yet be Purchased
Under the Programs(2)
     (Thousands)         (Thousands)     

April 2007

   50    $ 62.82    50    N/A

May 2007

   391      66.76    391    N/A

June 2007

   754      70.94    754    N/A
                     

Second Quarter 2007

   1,195    $ 69.23    1,195    N/A
                     

(1) On January 21, 1997, the company announced that the company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program which authorized the company to repurchase shares of its common stock from time to time, either directly or through agents, in the open market at prices and on terms satisfactory to the company in order to offset some or all of such shares issued pursuant to the company’s employee benefit plans and its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. On July 25, 2007, the company announced that the company’s Board of Directors terminated this 1997 share repurchase program and approved a new share repurchase program pursuant to which the company may repurchase up to $1 billion of shares of its common stock from time to time at prices and on terms satisfactory to the company.

 

(2) The share repurchase program announced on January 21, 1997 did not contain any quantitative limit on the total number of shares, or dollar value that could have been purchased. Under the share repurchase program announced on July 25, 2007, the company may purchase up to $1 billion of its outstanding common stock. The 1997 program did not have, and the 2007 program does not have, any stated expiration date.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Praxair, Inc. was held on April 24, 2007. The results of the matters submitted to a vote of security holders were disclosed in Item 4 of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

(a) Exhibits:

 

10.20   Service Credit Arrangement for Stephen F. Angel dated May 23, 2007 was filed as exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2007 and is incorporated herein by reference.
12.01   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31.01   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification
31.02   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification
32.01   Section 1350 Certification (such certifications are furnished for the information of the Commission and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act)
32.02   Section 1350 Certification (such certifications are furnished for the information of the Commission and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act)

 

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SIGNATURE

Praxair, Inc. and Subsidiaries


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.

 

     PRAXAIR, INC.
     (Registrant)
  Date: July 25, 2007           By:  

/s/ Patrick M. Clark

       Patrick M. Clark
       Vice President and Controller
       (On behalf of the Registrant and as Chief Accounting Officer)

 

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