1. Transcribe ALL numbers using digits (click here to see Exceptions).

55 new facilities is our goal for this year.

Theres 257 of those available now.
Additionally, I will remind you that we have permanently idled our West Monroe #2
paper machine in 2008.
1 gigabit Ethernet
3 Bcf
6 amperes
20 megawatts
ABC ranked #3 in the Nielsen ratings last July.
Paid down 5% of our debt


Transcribe Numbers as Digits: Exceptions

a. Spell out ordinals when less than 10, i.e. 10th.

Ordinal numbers are numbers that denote
the place of a specific item in a sequence.
Examples: first, third, 75th, 100th

Incorrect Correct
In the 3rd quarter, we had an
increase of
In the third quarter, we had an
increase of
Our 1st quarter results show
that
Our first quarter results show
that






b. One is always transcribed in words except when used in financial figures,
units of measurement, ranges and fiscal periods. The physical proximity of
numbers should also be taken into consideration. Numbers that are
spoken close to each other should be transcribed in digits for consistency.
One question
One quick one.
One year ago, our sales dropped
Were the only one left surviving in this industry
1 to 5 tons
The product costs $1 or $5 depending on
1 tonne of potash were shipped
Im not sure if weve shut down 1, 2, 3 or 4 factories.
I think we closed the deal with 1 out of the 10 biggest customers.


c. Enumeration. Spell out numbers below 10 when speakers enumerate. Use
digits for numbers 10 and up (*also an exception to the word number
transcribed as # when followed by a number)
Our growth may be attributed to the following factors: one,
improved liquidity; two, increased sales; three, better economy.
Point number one, our headcount decreased significantly due to the
economic recession. Point number two, the prices of commodities
dropped to an all time low.



d. Numbers from 0 to 9 are written out when used at the beginning of a
sentence except for financial figures, units of measures, fractions and
range pairs.

Spoken Transcribe
Two things Two things
One more thing One more thing
Half of our success can be
attributed to prudent
spending and half to
improving sales.
Half of our success can be
attributed to prudent
spending and half to
improving sales.
One and a half years ago 1.5 years ago
One to five tons of 1 to 5 tons of
5 percent of the 5% of the
Ten things exactly are on the... 10 things exactly are on the...
Four fifths of the shareholders
voted for Mr. A and a fifth of
the shareholders voted for Mr.
B
4/5 of the shareholders voted
for Mr. A and 1/5 of the
shareholders voted for Mr. B
Five basis points of
improvement
5 basis points of improvement

e. Do not digitize common business expressions or some compound words that
are paired with a number, particularly when such words are also dictionary
entries.
Twofold, tenfold
Four-wall profitability
Two-pronged approached



2. The words million and billion are spelled out in full.
7 million
50 billion
3. When a number is a combination of million or billion plus smaller numbers, set
as digits. Write them on paper, lining up the zeros to get the number correctly.












Spoken Transcribe
a billion six fifty 1,650,000,000
Our backlog was typically a billion
one, a billion one fifty
Our backlog was typically
1,100,000,000, 1,150,000,000



Spoken Transcribe
We had 3 billion, 48 million of
sales this quarter
We had 3,048,000,000 of sales
this quarter

Write:
3 billion ----------------------------> 3,000,000,000
48 million ----------------------------> 48,000,000
3 billion + 48 million ----------------------------> 3,048,000,000
4. As much as possible, convert odd forms into the conventional way of writing
numbers (click here to see Exceptions).
Spoken Transcribe
Average weekly sales per company-
operated restaurant were $47.3
thousand in the quarter, compared to
$50.8 thousand in the prior year
quarter.
Average weekly sales per company-
operated restaurant were $47,300 in
the quarter, compared to $50,800 in
the prior year quarter.
Q3 revenue increased to $79.3 million
on record case shipments of 56 and a
half thousand.
Q3 revenue increased to $79.3 million
on record case shipments of 56,500.
We actually realized volumes of about
thirty point one thousand barrels a
day.
We actually realized volumes of about
30,100 barrels a day.
We ended 2010 with a base
compensation of approximately one
billion sixty million dollars. One zero
six zero. This assumes no current
increases.
We ended 2010 with a base
compensation of approximately
$1.060 billion. 1-0-6-0. This assumes
no current increases.










Odd Forms: Exception

Spoken Calculations Transcribe
47 point 3 thousand 47.3
thousand
47.3 1,000 47,300
50 point 8 thousand 50.8
thousand
50.8 1,000 50,800
56 and a half
thousand
56.5
thousand
56.5 1,000 56,500
30 point 1 thousand 30.1
thousand
30.1 1,000 30,100
If a speaker mentions a number in an odd way but corresponds
exactly with the press release, follow the figure/format written in
the press release.
Press Release Spoken Transcribe
14,467 million

fourteen thousand
four hundred
sixty seven million
14,467 million

Similarly, if speaker mentions a number in an odd way but the
figure does not correspond exactly to the press release figure,
follow the figure/format written in the press release. You must be
100% certain that the speaker is referring to the same number.
Press Release Spoken Transcribe
1,950 million One nine five zero
thousand million
1,950 million


5. Zero is always written as 0. The speaker might also say it as o (the letter),
null, naught or nil.
Spoken Transcribe
We had shown a 2010 CapEx
range at our Investor
Conference of between zero
and one sixty million dollars for
this item.
We had shown a 2010 CapEx range at
our Investor Conference of between 0
and $160 million for this item.
I dont think that growth of
naught point eight percent
compared to
I dont think that growth of 0.8%
compared to...
was $315,000 for the first
quarter of 2011 compared to nil
in the same period
was $315,000 for the first quarter of
2011 compared to 0 in the same period

6. Exponentiation is transcribed using the caret symbol (^) with no spaces
between the numbers and symbols.
Spoken Transcribe
ten to the eight 10^8
one times ten to the twenty
seven
1x10^27



A. Decimals, Percentages and Fractions
1. Transcribe decimals and percentages as spoken using digits. Digits less than 1
require a 0 before the decimal.
Spoken Transcribe
point thirteen micron 0.13 micron
point zero three micron 0.03 micron
point eight percent 0.8%
four percentage points 4 percentage points
five point zero million 5.0 million
point seven million dollars $0.7 million
point three of a billion
pounds
GBP 0.3 billion

2. Transcribe ALL fractions in decimal form (click here to see Exceptions).
Spoken Transcribe
It was approaching nine-tenths of one percent. It was
approaching 0.9%.
three tenths of a Bcfe 0.3 Bcfe
six tenths of a point 0.6 point
half a million dollars $0.5 million
three quarters of a basis point 0.75 basis point
two tenths of a million 0.2 million
quarter of a billion dollars $0.25 billion
nine and a half percent EBITDA margin 9.5% EBITDA
margin
Our stock price rose by a point and a half Our stock price
rose by 1.5
points
One and a half years of service 1.5 years of
service
The project was delayed for three and a half months. The project was
delayed for 3.5
months.
Our lead time improved by four and a half days Our lead time
improved by 4.5
days
















Note that in the examples
below, we added -s for
grammatical correctness.


We have the same sales as we had a year and a half
ago.
We have the same
sales as we had
1.5 years* ago
I think we shipped that order a quarter or a quarter and a half
ago.
I think we shipped
that order 1 quarter
or 1.5 quarters* ago.

Fractions in Decimal Form: Exceptions

a. Transcribe fractions that are less than 1 in fraction form. (Please see Info
box below). Please keep in mind that this does not apply to financial figures
and units of measurement.
Spoken Transcribe
The workers spend two thirds
of the day assembling parts of
cars.
The workers spend 2/3 of the
day assembling parts of cars.
A days wage in the U.K. is
equivalent to a half months
wage in the Philippines.
A days wage in the U.K. is
equivalent to months wage
in the Philippines.


If the fraction spoken does NOT
have a numerator, transcribe the
fraction in words.











































3. Irrational numbers or non-terminating decimal numbers. Irrational numbers
are to be rounded off to 4 decimal places.


Spoken Transcribe
Half of the companys assets
were liquidated last year.
Half of the companys assets
were liquidated last year.
This was half a years worth of
revenues.
This was half a years worth of
revenues
The damage to our fields ate
up one third of our income.
The damage to our fields ate up 1/3
of our income.
We estimate that a* quarter of
our revenues will come from
We estimate that of our revenues
will come from


Note that we consider
a to be equivalent to 1,
hence, becomes its
numerator: a quarter
= one quarter = 1/4.

b. Use FRACTIONS for interest rates (sub notes, term loans, CD rates, etc.)
Spoken Transcribe
We completed the issuance of
$200 million in senior
subordinated notes due 2019,
with a coupon interest rate of
nine and a quarter and an
effective interest rate of nine
and three quarters.
We completed the issuance of
$200 million in senior
subordinated notes due 2019,
with a coupon interest rate of
9 % and an effective interest
rate of 9 3/4%
The companys $380 million
base amount of eight and three
quarter percent senior
subordinated note are
continued to be outstanding.
The companys $380 million
base amount of 8% senior
subordinated note are
continued to be outstanding.

Note that the percent signs
were added because values
are referring to interest
rates.

Spoken Transcribe
Our income amounted to thirty and
one third percent of our revenue.
Our income amounted to 30.3333% of
our revenue.
Pi is equal to
3.1415926535897932384626433
Pi is equal to 3.1416.

4. If a decimal point is not specified by the speaker saying dot or point, leave it
out and use digits for the entire string of numbers except if you are 100%
certain the reference is to a dollar figure. This is usually verifiable in press
release, SEC filings, MD&A or through context.
Spoken Transcribe
We are guiding for EPS to be in the
range of two ninety-eight to three
fifty-five a share.
We are guiding for EPS to be in the
range of $2.98 to $3.55 a share.
If I look back over several year
periods, I think we peaked as high as
around three three, three four and
were roughly three, three one this
quarter.
If I look back over several year
periods, I think we peaked as high as
around 3 3, 3 4, and were roughly 3, 3
1 this quarter.
Were up to fifty four four this
quarter.
Were up to 54 4 this quarter.
Its up from thirty three six from
thirty two nine.
Its up from 33 6 from 32 9.

5. Odd Fractional/Decimal Forms. If the spoken numerator is less than 1,
transcribe them still as fractions.








Spoken Transcribe
It was point five four tenths of one
percent in this quarter.
It was 0.54/10 of 1% in this quarter.
Our same-store admissions
decreased to point two tenths of a
percent.
Our same-store admissions
decreased to 0.2/10 of 1%.

Sometimes, speakers would mention a fraction as a pair of
numbers. In these cases, check with the press release first
before formatting these numbers as fractions.
Spoken Transcribe
Our 3 12 would be the
last three months, and
the 12 12 would be the
last 12 months orders
divided by the prior
period 12 months.
Our 3/12 would be the
last three months, and
the 12/12 would be the
last 12 months orders
divided by the prior
period 12 months.

6. RANGE PAIRS. Use the % sign with digits for all percentage figures. This is also
applicable to currency symbols. Add the percent sign or currency symbol to the
first digit in a range pair.
Spoken Transcribe
We expect that to be in the range of 4
to 9 percent.
We expect that to be in the range of
4% to 9%.
We still have about sixty or so, high
sixties percent of our neurovascular
business
We still have about 60% or so, high
60s percent of our neurovascular
business
Unconsolidated subsidiaries is
projected to range point three tenths
percent to point four tenths of net
revenue.
Unconsolidated subsidiaries is
projected to range 0.3/10% to
0.4/10% of net revenue.
We were up about two- or three-
tenths of 1%.
We were up about 0.2% or 0.3%.
Our revenue were assuming to be
between two sixty five to two eighty
five million.
Our revenue were assuming to be
between $265 million to $285 million.


For range pairings that do not involve dollars or percentages,
add the unit of measure after the last set of digits.
For the full year 2009, 23 now expect to produce coal shipments
to be in the range of 37.5 million to 38.5 million tons.
Three wells in one pattern IP-ed at 23.4, 19.3 and 17.2 million
cubic feet a day. (Million cubic feet a day (or Mcfd) is a unit of
measurement)




7. Units. A unit of measurement is a definite magnitude of a physical quantity,
defined and adopted by convention and/or by law, that is used as a standard for
measurement of the same physical quantity. When units of measurement follow
the numbers, transcribe as below:
5 milligrams
42 nanometers
1 terabyte
50 miles per hour
1.6 kilojoules
15 petabytes

Ton vs. Tonne These two words do not just vary in
spelling but in numerical value. Follow the format in the press
release.
A ton (or short ton) is a unit of weight used almost exclusively
in the U.S. It's 2000 lbs. (or 907.44 kg)
A tonne (or metric ton) is the related unit of weight used
everywhere else in the world. It's 1000 kg.
http://www.metric-conversions.org/weight/tonne-
conversion.htm



Do not use abbreviations for units of measure
when full versions are spoken.
Spoken Transcribe
milligrams per meter
squared
milligrams per meter
squared (not mg/m2)

8. Most mathematical symbols are transcribed as words.
I'd take the 300,000, I'd divide by 160, and then I would place some type of
condemnation factor on it.
There was a 30% mean reduction in serum uric acid levels after 4 weeks, compared to a
3% increase on placebo. This is a p less than 0.0001.

9. Dropped words (click here to see Deviations from Verbatim)


B. Slide, Page and Phase References
1. When speaker references specific slide numbers, capitalize the words slide or
page and use digits.
Slide 8
Page 10
Slide #12
Panel A
Chart 5
Table 1a
Table 2.1
2. For drug or medical studies are usually sponsored by pharmaceutical
companies. Use Roman numerals and small letters for the phases.
Spoken Transcribe
We expect our phase two bee three
aye study to go very well also.
We expect our Phase IIb/IIIa study
to go very well also.
Our phase two bee study is going
much better than our phase one
study.
Our Phase IIb study is going much
better than our Phase I study.
3. When non-pharmaceutical companies reference specific phases in product
testing or operations, cap the word phase and use digits. Use lowercase letters
for sub-phases.
Phase 2
Phase 3a
4. Some pharmaceutical companies may refer to classes, which are medical device
classifications by complexity, characteristics and even potential harm. Use
capital letters when companies make specific references to these classes.
Class I
Class IIa

C. Plurals and Multiples
1. Form plurals by adding -s without apostrophes. There is no need to include
the scale, currency symbol or percent sign to a pluralized number, unless
spoken specifically for that number.
Spoken Transcribe
That may have been true back in the
eighties.
That may have been true back in the
80s.
We expect that to move to the high
thirties this year.
We expect that to move to the high
30s this year.
Well be doing these by threes Well be doing these by 3s
We weathered similar levels of
deflation in the early two
thousands.
We weathered similar levels of
deflation in the early 2000s
Thirty six mainline aircraft
including DC9 thirties and forties.
36 mainline aircraft including DC9-
30s and 40s
Last year, we had a profit margin of
twenty million dollars but this year,
we estimate that it will be in the
thirties.
Last year, we had a profit margin of
$20 million but this year, we
estimate that it will be in the 30s.
EBITDA margin was around thirty
five percent, but this quarter, its
gone up to the forties.
EBITDA margin was around 35%,
but this quarter, its gone up to the
40s.

2. When referencing multiples associated with financial figures or financial terms,
transcribe the word times as a lower case x. When referring to FREQUENCY,
use the word times.
Spoken Transcribe
We expect that to be three x SG&A
this quarter.
We expect that to be 3x SG&A this
quarter.
We target a post-energy return on
acquisitions of somewhere in the
four x to six x range.
We target a post-energy return on
acquisitions of somewhere in the 4x
to 6x range.
In terms of rough numbers, we
think were paying about three to
four x times of revenue.
In terms of rough numbers, we
think were paying about 3 to 4x
times of revenue.
We will be at a free cash flow ratio
of 0.5 to one times net income for
the quarter.
We will be at a free cash flow ratio
of 0.5 to 1x net income for the
quarter.
The app has been downloaded
nearly one point five million times.
The app has been downloaded
nearly 1.5 million times.
We visit our London office five
times in a year.
We visit our London office 5 times
in a year.





Think of it this way: Editors may
have a TAT of 4x, but the same
transcript is not edited 4 times.
D. Ratios and Splits
1. Use the ratio format of digit(s):digit(s).
Spoken Transcribe
The book-to-bill ratio for the
quarter was about 0.9 to 1.
The book-to-bill ratio for the
quarter was about 0.9:1.
The ratio of our earnings this year
to last is 0.8 to 1.
The ratio of our earnings this year
to last is 0.8:1.
2. Use a hyphen to denote a split.
We can pay up to 90% of our dividend in stock as we did this summer and 10% in cash.
Basically, were on a 90-10 schedule this year.
What happens if theres 4 commissioners and its a 2-2 tie?

A ratio represents a relationship between two or more things
in terms of size, amount, or quantity.
A split, on the other hand, denotes how one object or system
has been divided into differing categories.

E. Odd Forms
1. Note that some words such as plus or minus, negative and some-odd can
act as modifiers to numbers with corresponding units of measure, percent or
currency. If the modifier appears before or after the digit/unit, transcribe the
digit/unit normally. Spell out the modifier as appropriate. Use a hyphen to set
off the digit from the modifier.
Spoken Transcribe
16 percent, plus or minus 16%, plus or minus
negative 11 percent negative 11%
ten percent ish
ten ish percent
10%-ish
10-ish percent
sub 10 million dollars sub-$10 million
plus minus 30 percent plus/minus 30%
If we annualize your fourth quarter
FFO per share, I think its
somewhere in the mid dollar forties
range.
If we annualize your fourth quarter
FFO per share, I think its
somewhere in the mid-$1.40s range.
fifteen million plus plus 15 million plus-plus


2. If the modifier appears between the digit and the unit of measure or percent,
transcribe the number and modifier as appropriate, and spell out the word
percent.
Spoken Transcribe
16 some odd percent 16-some-odd percent
15 plus percent 15-plus percent
70 some percent 70-some percent
17 or more percent 17 or more percent
fifteen plus million dollar range $15-plus million range
two point some odd billion dollars $2-point-some-odd billion
seven point million dollars $7-point million
Its over one billion real euros Its over 1 billion real euros
Roughly 300 some odd million
dollars of OpEx
Roughly $300-some-odd million of
OpEx
The outgoing pension dollars will be
about 110-ish million dollars of cash
out the door.
The outgoing pension dollars will be
about $110-ish million of cash out
the door.
It would be about 25 basis points
equals ninety-ish to one hundred
million dollars in the U.S.
It would be about 25 basis points
equals $90-ish to $100 million in
the U.S.
Six point five to six point kind of
nine percent
6.5 to 6 point kind of 9 percent
seventeen-ish percent plus range 17-ish percent plus range
We were 20 some and a half billion
a quarter ago.
We were 20-some and a half billion
a quarter ago.
15 to 17 plus million dollars $15 million to $17-plus million
46 point something million 46-point-something million
it should be more 4-ish million
dollars than fourth point three-ish
normally
it should be more $4-ish million
than fourth point three-ish normally
This last example
was transcribed as
spoken.