|
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2014
|
Dec. 31, 2013
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
|
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||
| Net earnings (loss) | $ 395us-gaap_ProfitLoss | $ 8,991us-gaap_ProfitLoss | $ 1,412us-gaap_ProfitLoss |
| Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] | |||
| Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes | (252)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 359us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization | 315us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization | 42us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization |
| Stock-based compensation | 217us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation | 193us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation | 46us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation |
| Cash payments for stock-based compensation | (29)us-gaap_EmployeeBenefitsAndShareBasedCompensation | (2)us-gaap_EmployeeBenefitsAndShareBasedCompensation | (19)us-gaap_EmployeeBenefitsAndShareBasedCompensation |
| Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation | (3)us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivities | (6)us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivities | (142)us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivities |
| Share of (earnings) loss of affiliates, net | 113us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 32us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | (1,346)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments |
| Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net | (38)us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnSecurities | (295)us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnSecurities | (230)us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnSecurities |
| Noncash interest expense | (34)us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCostsAndDiscounts | (62)us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCostsAndDiscounts | (2)us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCostsAndDiscounts |
| Losses (gains) on transactions, net | (7,978)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGainOrLoss | (22)us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGainOrLoss | |
| Losses (gains) on dilution of investment in affiliate | 78lmca_Gainlossondilutionofinvestmentinaffiliate | 93lmca_Gainlossondilutionofinvestmentinaffiliate | 9lmca_Gainlossondilutionofinvestmentinaffiliate |
| Losses (gains) on early extinguishment of debt | 21us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt | ||
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | 91us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit | (172)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit | 465us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit |
| Other noncash charges (credits), net | 17lmca_OtherNoncashChargesCreditsNet | (3)lmca_OtherNoncashChargesCreditsNet | (41)lmca_OtherNoncashChargesCreditsNet |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities | |||
| Current and other assets | (74)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingAssets | 187us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingAssets | 18us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingAssets |
| Payables and other current liabilities | 33us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities | (78)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities | 33us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities |
| Net cash provided (used) by operating activities | 1,125us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | 1,236us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | (29)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||
| Cash (paid) for acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (47)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired | (117)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired | |
| Cash proceeds from dispositions | 247us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets | 80us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets | 766us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets |
| Proceeds (payments) from settlement of financial instruments, net | (72)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromDerivativeInstrumentInvestingActivities | (59)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromDerivativeInstrumentInvestingActivities | (9)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromDerivativeInstrumentInvestingActivities |
| Investments in and loans to cost and equity investees | (183)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInvestments | (2,585)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInvestments | (1,716)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInvestments |
| Repayment of loans by cost and equity investees | 42us-gaap_RepaymentOfNotesReceivableFromRelatedParties | 81us-gaap_RepaymentOfNotesReceivableFromRelatedParties | 110us-gaap_RepaymentOfNotesReceivableFromRelatedParties |
| Return on investment in equity method affiliate | 165us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions | ||
| Capital expended for property and equipment | (194)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | (207)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | (16)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment |
| Purchases of short term investments and other marketable securities | (360)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireShortTermInvestments | (178)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireShortTermInvestments | (393)us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireShortTermInvestments |
| Sales of short term investments and other marketable securities | 176us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfMarketableSecurities | 229us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfMarketableSecurities | 625us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfMarketableSecurities |
| Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash | 700us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCash | ||
| Other investing activities, net | (20)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities | (8)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities | (8)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities |
| Net cash provided (used) by investing activities | (411)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities | (2,764)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities | 224us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||
| Borrowings of debt | 2,758us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt | 5,923us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt | |
| Repayments of debt | (1,936)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt | (2,779)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt | (750)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt |
| Repurchases of Liberty common stock | (140)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock | (323)us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock | |
| Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates | 259us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates | ||
| Cash included in exchange transaction | (429)lmca_Cashincludedinexchangetransaction | ||
| Shares issued by subsidiary | 21us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeCumulativeProceedsReceivedOnAllTransactions | ||
| Shares repurchased by subsidiary | (2,157)lmca_SubsidiarySharesRepurchasedBySubsidiary | (1,602)lmca_SubsidiarySharesRepurchasedBySubsidiary | |
| Proceeds (payments) from issuances and settlements of financial instruments, net | (299)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromDerivativeInstrumentFinancingActivities | (54)us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromDerivativeInstrumentFinancingActivities | |
| Issuance of warrants | 170us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants | ||
| Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for stock-based compensation | (48)us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation | (51)us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation | (181)us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation |
| Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation | 3us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities | 6us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities | 142us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities |
| Other financing activities, net | (7)us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities | 4us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities | |
| Net cash provided (used) by financing activities | (1,121)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities | 813us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities | (1,162)us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities |
| Cash provided (used) by operating activities - Discontinued operations | 265us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations | ||
| Cash provided (used) by investing activities - Discontinued operations | (10)us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations | ||
| Cash provided (used) by financing activities - Discontinued operations | 550us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations | (5)us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations | |
| Change in available cash held by discontinued operations | 650lmca_ChangeInAvailableCashHeldByDiscontinuedOperations | 350lmca_ChangeInAvailableCashHeldByDiscontinuedOperations | |
| Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations | 1,200us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInDiscontinuedOperations | 600us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInDiscontinuedOperations | |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (407)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease | 485us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease | (367)us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 1,088us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue | 603us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue | 970us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ 681us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue | $ 1,088us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue | $ 603us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue |
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Cash included in exchange transaction No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Increase or (Decrease) in available cash held by discontinued operations No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Other noncash charges (credits), net No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Subsidiary shares repurchased by subsidiary No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of noncash expense included in interest expense to allocate debt discount and premium, and the costs to issue debt and obtain financing over the related debt instruments. Alternate captions include noncash interest expense. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the amount of net gain (loss) recognized by the entity as a result of remeasuring to fair value the equity interest in the acquiree it held before the business combination. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are the amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Includes effect from exchange rate changes. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of cash inflow (outflow) of financing activities of discontinued operations. Financing activity cash flows include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on, and a return of, their investment; borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed, or settling the obligation; and obtaining and paying for other resources obtained from creditors on long-term credit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of cash inflow (outflow) of investing activities of discontinued operations. Investing activity cash flows include making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property, plant, and equipment and other productive assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of cash inflow (outflow) of operating activities of discontinued operations. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value not defined as investing or financing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Costs and payments related to employee benefits and equity-based compensation, such as pension expense and contributions, other postretirement benefits expense and payments, stock or unit options expense, and amortization of restricted stock or unit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of cash inflow from realized tax benefit related to deductible compensation cost reported on the entity's tax return for equity instruments in excess of the compensation cost for those instruments recognized for financial reporting purposes. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of cash outflow for realized tax benefit related to deductible compensation cost reported on the entity's tax return for equity instruments in excess of the compensation cost for those instruments recognized for financial reporting purposes. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amounts payable to vendors for goods and services received and the amount of obligations and expenses incurred but not paid. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of assets used to generate operating income. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The net cash inflow or outflow for the increase (decrease) associated with funds that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as funds held in escrow) and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as investing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Increase (decrease) in cash associated with the entity's discontinued operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from financing activities, including discontinued operations. Financing activity cash flows include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on, and a return of, their investment; borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed, or settling the obligation; and obtaining and paying for other resources obtained from creditors on long-term credit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from investing activities, including discontinued operations. Investing activity cash flows include making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property, plant, and equipment and other productive assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities, including discontinued operations. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value not defined as investing or financing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The net cash outflow or inflow from derivative instruments during the period, which are classified as financing activities, excluding those designated as hedging instruments. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The net cash outflow or inflow from derivative instruments during the period, which are classified as investing activities, excluding those designated as hedging instruments. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The net cash outflow or inflow from other investing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of cash outflow to satisfy an employee's income tax withholding obligation as part of a net-share settlement of a share-based award. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash outflow associated with the purchase of all investments (debt, security, other) during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash outflow for securities or other assets acquired, which qualify for treatment as an investing activity and are to be liquidated, if necessary, within the current operating cycle. Includes cash flows from securities classified as trading securities that were acquired for reasons other than sale in the short-term. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash inflow associated with the deconsolidation of a previously consolidated subsidiary or sale of an entity that is related to it but not strictly controlled. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash inflow from issuance of rights to purchase common shares at predetermined price (usually issued together with corporate debt). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The net cash inflow or outflow from other financing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash inflow associated with the aggregate amount received by the entity through sale or maturity of marketable securities (held-to-maturity or available-for-sale) during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash inflow from the sale of property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash inflow from a loan, supported by a promissory note, granted to related parties where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Cumulative amount of cash and other consideration received by subsidiary or equity method investee in exchange for shares or stock issued or sold. Include amounts of cash received, fair value of non-cash assets received, fair value of liabilities assumed, and fair value of any other forms of consideration. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition
Amount of unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement on unsold other securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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