in interest payments related to long-term debt; and an increase in cash payments related to our productivity, integration and restructuring initiatives. The unfavorable impact of these items was partially offset by an increase in cash receipts from customers, a decrease in tax payments, and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates on operations. Refer to the heading "Net Operating Revenues" above. 

Cash flows from operating activities increased $1,346 million, or 16 percent, in 2010 compared to 2009. This increase was primarily attributable to increased receipts from customers, the impact of our acquisition of CCE's North American business, the favorable impact of exchange rates on operations and a decrease in contributions to our pension plans. The impact of these items was partially offset by higher tax payments in 2010. The increase in cash receipts from customers was primarily due to an increase in net operating revenues. Refer to the heading "Net Operating Revenues" above. Also, in 2009, cash flows from operating activities included the receipt of a $183 million special dividend from Coca-Cola Hellenic. The Company contributed approximately $77 million to our pension plans during the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to 

$269 million during the year ended December 31, 2009. 

In 2011, purchases of short-term investments were $4,057 million, and proceeds from disposals of short-term investments were $5,647 million. This activity resulted in a net cash inflow of $1,590 million during 2011. In 2010, purchases of short-term investments were $4,579 million, and proceeds from disposals of short-term investments were $4,032 million. This activity resulted in a net cash outflow of $547 million during2010. In 2009, purchases of short-term investments were $2,130 million. These short-term investments are time deposits that have maturities of greater than three months but less than one year, and are classified in the line item short-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets. The Company began investing in longer-term time deposits during the fourth quarter of 2009 to match the maturities of short-term debt issued as part of our commercial paper program. Refer to the heading "Cash Flows from Financing Activities" below. These time deposits are classified in the line item short-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets. 

Acquisitions and Investments 

In 2011, the Company's acquisition and investment activities totaled $977 million. These activities were primarily related to the acquisitions of Great Plains and Honest Tea, Inc. ("Honest Tea"), and an additional investment in Coca-Cola Central Japan Company ("Central Japan"). In addition, the Company's acquisition and investment activities during 2011 included immaterial cash payments for the finalization of working capital adjustments related to our acquisition of CCE's North American business. Refer to our discussion of this transaction below. None of the Company's other acquisitions or investments was individually significant. 

In 2010, the Company's acquisition and investment activities totaled $2,511 million, which was primarily related to our