and liabilities, including cash and short-term debt, can fluctuate significantly from month to month depending on short-term liquidity needs. Working capital (defined as current assets minus current liabilities) totaled $6.126 billion at December 31, 2010, compared with $5.898 billion at December 31, 2009. Working capital increases were primarily attributable to increases in cash and cash equivalents, short-term marketable securities, accounts receivable and inventories, which were largely offset by decreases in working capital driven by increases in current liabilities, primarily short-term debt and accounts payable.

 

Primary short-term liquidity needs are met through U.S. commercial paper and euro commercial paper issuances. The Company maintains a commercial paper program that allows 3M to have a maximum of $3 billion outstanding with a maximum maturity of 397 days from date of issuance. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, 3M had no outstanding commercial paper. The Company believes it is unlikely that its access to the commercial paper market will be restricted. Effective April 30, 2007, the Company has a $1.5-billion five-year credit facility, which has provisions for the Company to request an increase of the facility up to $2 billion (at the lenders’ discretion), and providing for up to $150 million in letters of credit. At December 31, 2010, available short-term committed lines of credit, including the preceding $1.5 billion five-year credit facility, totaled approximately $1.674 billion worldwide, of which approximately $255 million was utilized in connection with normal business activities. Debt covenants do not restrict the payment of dividends.

 

The Company has a “well-known seasoned issuer” shelf registration statement, effective February 17, 2009, which registers an indeterminate amount of debt or equity securities for future sales. No securities have been issued under  this shelf. The Company intends to use the proceeds from future securities sales off this shelf for general corporate purposes. In connection with a prior “well-known seasoned issuer” shelf registration, in June 2007 the Company established a $3 billion medium-term notes program. Three debt securities have been issued under this medium-term notes program. First, in December 2007, 3M issued a five-year, $500 million, fixed rate note with a coupon rate of 4.65%. Second, in August 2008, 3M issued a five-year, $850 million, fixed rate note with a coupon rate of 4.375%. Third, in October 2008, the Company issued a three-year $800 million, fixed rate note with a coupon rate of 4.50%. The Company entered into an interest rate swap to convert this $800 million note to a floating rate.

 

The Company has an AA- credit rating, with a stable outlook, from Standard & Poor’s and an Aa2 credit rating, with a stable outlook, from Moody’s Investors Service. The Company’s $350 million of Dealer Remarketable Securities had ratings triggers (BBB-/Baa3 or lower) that would require repayment of debt. These securities were retired upon maturity in December 2010. In addition, under the $1.5-billion five-year credit facility agreement, 3M is required to maintain its EBITDA to