DANAHER CORP /DE/DHR
DANAHER CORP /DE/ Fair Value Disclosure
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Accounting standards define fair value based on an exit price model, establish a framework for measuring fair value where the Company’s assets and liabilities are required to be carried at fair value and provide for certain disclosures related to the valuation methods used within a valuation hierarchy as established within the accounting standards. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, or other observable characteristics for the asset or liability, including interest rates, yield curves and credit risks, or inputs that are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data through correlation. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
A summary of financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows ($ in millions):
| Year Ended December 31 | Quoted Prices in Active Market (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment in equity securities | $ | 165 | $ | 218 | $ | — | $ | 3 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swap derivative contracts | 150 | 415 | — | — | 150 | 415 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cross-currency swap derivative contracts | 42 | — | — | — | 42 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company’s investments in equity securities consist of investments in publicly traded equity securities and investments in non-marketable equity securities. The publicly traded securities are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy as they are measured based on quotes in active markets. For the non-marketable equity securities, the Company estimates the fair value of the investments using the Fair Value Alternative. The Company’s investments in these equity securities are not classified in the fair value hierarchy due to the use of these measurement methods. The Company’s investments in partnerships are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are not subject to fair value measurement disclosures. As of both December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company’s equity method investments included investments in partnerships with a carrying value of approximately $1.4 billion. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded net realized and unrealized losses of $248 million, $57 million and $182 million, respectively, related to changes in the fair value of the Company’s investments in equity securities and the Company’s equity in earnings of the partnerships that reflect the changes in fair value of the investments of the partnerships. Refer to Note 8 for additional information on gains and losses on the Company’s investments, including investments in the partnerships.
The cross-currency swap derivative contracts are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as they are measured using the income approach with the relevant interest rates and current foreign currency exchange rates and forward curves as inputs. Refer to Note 14 for additional information.
Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s other financial instruments as of December 31 were as follows ($ in millions):
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Amount | Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt obligations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | $ | 505 | $ | 502 | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 18,416 | 16,042 | 15,500 | 13,109 | |||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, short and long-term borrowings were categorized as Level 1. The fair value of long-term borrowings was based on quoted market prices. The difference between the fair value and the carrying amounts of long-term borrowings is attributable to changes in market interest rates and/or the Company’s credit ratings subsequent to the incurrence of the borrowing. The fair values of borrowings with original maturities of one year or less, as well as cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, net and trade accounts payable generally approximate their carrying amounts due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
Refer to Note 15 for information related to the fair value of the Company sponsored defined benefit pension plan assets.
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 24, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Feb 20, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Feb 21, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Feb 22, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Feb 23, 2022 | |
| 2020 | Feb 25, 2021 | |
| 2019 | Feb 21, 2020 | |
| 2018 | Feb 21, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Feb 21, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Feb 22, 2017 | |
| 2015 | Feb 24, 2016 | |
About Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.
Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.