uses operating income as one of its primary business segment performance measurement tools. Operating income was 22.2 percent of sales in 2010, compared to 20.8 percent of sales in 2009 and 20.6 percent of sales in 2008. 2009 was negatively impacted by restructuring expenses, net of a gain on sale of real estate, which combined decreased operating income by 0.9 percentage points ($194 million). 2008 was negatively impacted by restructuring actions, exit activities and a loss on sale of businesses that were partially offset by a gain on sale of real estate, which combined decreased operating income by 1.1 percentage points ($269 million).

 

Interest Expense and Income:

 

Interest Expense: Interest expense decreased in 2010, driven by lower average U.S. debt balances and lower interest rates. Interest expense increased slightly in 2009, primarily due to higher average U.S. long-term debt balances largely offset by benefits from reduced short-term balances and lower interest rates.



Interest Income: In 2010, interest income was basically unchanged from 2009, with higher average cash and cash equivalent balances largely offset by lower interest rates. Interest income declined in 2009 when compared to 2008, primarily due to lower yields on investments.

 

Provision for Income Taxes:

 

The effective tax rate for 2010 was 27.7 percent, compared with 30.0 percent in 2009 and 31.1 percent in 2008. The most significant item that decreased the effective tax rate in both 2010 and 2009 related to international taxes. In 2010, this was due primarily to the 2010 tax benefits resulting from the corporate alignment transactions that allowed the Company to increase its ownership of a foreign subsidiary. The transactions are described in the section of Note 6 entitled “Purchase of Subsidiary Shares and Transfers of Ownership Interest Involving Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.”

 

The effective tax rate for 2010 also includes a one-time income tax charge of $84 million as a result of the March 2010 enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including modifications made in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Adjustments to income tax reserves and the Domestic Manufacturer’s deduction also benefited year-on-year effective tax rates.

 

On December 17, 2010, the provision for the research and development credit was extended by the “2010 Tax Relief Act” for expenditures incurred up to December 31, 2012. The provision for the credit had expired on December 31, 2009. The Company recognized the full year benefit of the credit in the fourth quarter of 2010. The benefit of the credit for the full year in 2010 is not materially different from the full year benefit in 2009.

 

The company currently expects that its effective tax rate for total year 2011 will be approximately 29.5 percent. The rate can vary from quarter to quarter due to discrete items, such as the settlement of income tax audits and changes in tax laws, as well as recurring factors, such as the geographic mix of income before taxes.

 

Refer to Note 8 for further discussion of income taxes.

 

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest:

 

Net