using discounted cash flows for certain reporting units and the industry price-earnings ratio approach for the remaining reporting units, at September 30, 2010, 3M’s implied control premium was approximately 23 percent. The control premium is defined as the sum of the individual reporting units estimated market values compared to 3M’s total Company market value, with the sum of the individual values typically being larger than the value for the total Company. At September 30, 2010, 3M’s market value was approximately $62 billion, but if each reporting unit was valued individually, 3M’s market value would be approximately $76 billion using a 23 percent control premium. 3M is an integrated materials enterprise, thus; many of 3M’s businesses could not easily be sold on a stand-alone basis. Based on its annual test in the fourth quarter of 2010, no goodwill impairment was indicated for any of the reporting units. In addition, 3M’s market value at both September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010 of approximately $62 billion and $61 billion, respectively, was significantly in excess of its equity of approximately $16 billion.

 

Factors which could result in future impairment charges, among others, include changes in worldwide economic conditions, changes in competitive conditions and customer preferences, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. These risk factors are discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, of this document. As of December 31, 2010, 3M had approximately $1 billion of goodwill related to 3M Purification Inc. and $750 million related to Optical Systems. In addition, as a result of the Cogent Inc. acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2010, Security Systems Division goodwill increased to approximately $500 million. If future non-cash impairment charges are taken, 3M would expect that only a portion of the long-lived assets or goodwill would be impaired. 3M will continue to monitor its reporting units in 2011 for any triggering events or other indicators of impairment.

 

Income Taxes:

 

The extent of 3M’s operations involves dealing with uncertainties and judgments in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. The final taxes paid are dependent upon many factors, including negotiations with taxing authorities in various jurisdictions and resolution of disputes arising from federal, state, and international tax audits. The Company recognizes potential liabilities and records tax liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the United States and other tax jurisdictions based on its estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. The Company follows guidance provided by ASC 740, Income Taxes, regarding uncertainty in income taxes, to record these liabilities (refer to Note 8 for additional information). The Company adjusts these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances; however, due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from the Company’s current estimate of the tax liabilities. If the Company’s estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate