In addition to the acquisition of Allied in December 2008, we acquired various other solid waste businesses during the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007.
The aggregate purchase price we paid for these transactions was $13.4 million and $4.4 million, respectively.
In November 2007, we divested of our Texas-based compost, mulch and soil business and received proceeds of $36.5 million.
A gain of $12.5 million was recorded in 2007 on this divestiture.
Consolidated Results of Operations Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 The following table summarizes our operating revenue, costs and expenses in millions of dollars and as a percentage of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
## Table 0 ##
Our pre-tax income was $865.0 million, $159.3 million and $468.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Our net income attributable to Republic Services, Inc.  was $495.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, or $1.30 per diluted share, compared to $73.8 million, or $0.37 per diluted share in 2008 and $290.2 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, in 2007.
During each of the two years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we recorded a number of gains, charges (recoveries) and other expenses that impacted our pre-tax income, net income attributable to Republic Services, Inc.  (Net Income - Republic) and diluted earnings per share.
These items primarily consist of the following (in millions, except per share data):
## Table 1 ##
Loss on extinguishment of debt.
During the third and fourth quarters of 2009 we issued $1,250.0 million of senior notes, the proceeds of which were primarily used to purchase and retire outstanding senior notes maturing in 2010 through 2034.
Additionally, we repurchased certain of our outstanding senior notes in the secondary market.
Landfill depletion and amortization expense in aggregate dollars increased primarily due to increased landfill disposal volumes and an overall increase in our average depletion rate.
Offsetting these increases were favorable amortization adjustments of $13.3 million that were recognized in 2014 relative to asset retirement obligations, compared to favorable amortization adjustments of $0.3 million in 2013.
Included in these favorable adjustments are increases in deemed probable expansion airspace at certain of our active solid waste landfills.
Depreciation, Amortization and Depletion of Property and Equipment – 2013 compared to 2012 Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment in aggregate dollars increased $24.0 million, primarily due to higher costs of residential side loaders for automating our residential collection routes and an increased number of CNG vehicles.
In addition, we made increased investments in new and upgraded recycling infrastructure projects that became operational over the past several quarters.
Landfill depletion and amortization expense in aggregate dollars increased $4.3 million, primarily due to increased landfill disposal volumes, as well as an overall increase in our average depletion rate.
Offsetting these increases were favorable amortization adjustments of $0.3 million that were recognized in 2013 related to asset retirement obligations, compared to net unfavorable adjustments of $4.9 million in 2012.
Landfill depletion and amortization as a percentage of revenue remained relatively consistent at 3.1% for 2013 and 3.2% for 2012.
Amortization of Other Intangible Assets and Other Assets Expenses for amortization of other intangible assets and other assets were $68.4 million, $70.7 million and $70.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, or, 0.8%, 0.8% and 0.9% of revenue, for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Our other intangible assets and other assets primarily relate to customer relationships, franchise agreements, other municipal agreements, favorable lease assets and, to a lesser extent, non-compete agreements and trade names.
The decline in amortization is the result of certain intangible assets now being fully amortized, partially offset by assets acquired in the acquisitions of various solid waste businesses throughout the year.
Accretion Expense Accretion expense was $78.0 million, $76.6 million and $78.4 million, or, 0.9%, 0.9% and 1.0% of revenue, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Accretion expense has remained relatively unchanged as our asset retirement obligations remained relatively consistent period over period.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, health and welfare benefits, and incentive compensation for corporate and field general management, field support functions, sales force, accounting and finance, legal, management information systems, and clerical and administrative departments.
Other expenses include rent and office costs, fees for professional services provided by third parties, legal settlements, marketing, investor and community relations services, directors’ and officers’ insurance, general employee relocation, travel, entertainment and bank charges.
Restructuring charges are excluded from selling, general and administrative expenses and are discussed separately.
The following table summarizes our selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in millions of dollars and as a percentage of revenue):
## Table 2 ##
REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued) We determine the discount rate used in the measurement of our obligations based on a model that matches the timing and amount of expected benefit payments to maturities of high quality bonds priced as of the Plan measurement date.
When that timing does not correspond to a published high-quality bond rate, our model uses an expected yield curve to determine an appropriate current discount rate.
The yields on the bonds are used to derive a discount rate for the liability.
The term of our obligation, based on the expected retirement dates of our workforce, is approximately seven years.
In developing our expected rate of return assumption, we have evaluated the actual historical performance and long-term return projections of the Plan assets, which give consideration to the asset mix and the anticipated timing of the Plan outflows.
We employ a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equity and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of Plan assets for what we consider a prudent level of risk.
The intent of this strategy is to minimize Plan expenses by outperforming Plan liabilities over the long run.
Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of Plan liabilities, Plan funded status and our financial condition.
The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments.
Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U. S.  and non-U.
S.  stocks as well as growth, value, and small and large capitalizations.
Derivatives may be used to gain market exposure in an efficient and timely manner; however, derivatives may not be used to leverage the portfolio beyond the market value of the underlying investments.
Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through annual liability measurements, periodic asset and liability studies, and quarterly investment portfolio reviews.
The following table summarizes our target asset allocation as of December 31, 2018 and the actual asset allocation as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 for our Plan:
## Table 3 ##
Asset allocations are reviewed and rebalanced periodically based on funded status.
For 2019, the investment strategy for Plan assets is to maintain a broadly diversified portfolio designed to achieve our target of an average long-term rate of return of 5.20%.
While we believe we can achieve a long-term average return of 5.20%, we cannot be certain that the portfolio will perform to our expectations.
Assets are strategically allocated among debt and equity portfolios to achieve a diversification level that reduces fluctuations in investment returns.
Asset allocation target ranges and strategies are reviewed periodically with the assistance of an independent external consulting firm.

<table><tr><td></td><td colspan="2">2009</td><td colspan="2">2008</td><td colspan="2">2007</td></tr><tr><td>Revenue</td><td>$8,199.1</td><td>100.0%</td><td>$3,685.1</td><td>100.0%</td><td>$3,176.2</td><td>100.0%</td></tr><tr><td>Cost of operations</td><td>4,844.2</td><td>59.1</td><td>2,416.7</td><td>65.6</td><td>2,003.9</td><td>63.1</td></tr><tr><td>Depreciation, amortization and depletion of property and equipment</td><td>799.1</td><td>9.7</td><td>342.3</td><td>9.3</td><td>299.0</td><td>9.4</td></tr><tr><td>Amortization of other intangible assets</td><td>70.6</td><td>0.9</td><td>11.8</td><td>0.3</td><td>6.5</td><td>0.2</td></tr><tr><td>Accretion</td><td>88.8</td><td>1.1</td><td>23.9</td><td>0.7</td><td>17.1</td><td>0.5</td></tr><tr><td>Selling, general and administrative</td><td>880.4</td><td>10.7</td><td>434.7</td><td>11.8</td><td>313.7</td><td>9.9</td></tr><tr><td>(Gain) loss on disposition of assets and impairments, net</td><td>-137.0</td><td>-1.7</td><td>89.8</td><td>2.4</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Restructuring charges</td><td>63.2</td><td>0.8</td><td>82.7</td><td>2.2</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Operating income</td><td>$1,589.8</td><td>19.4%</td><td>$283.2</td><td>7.7%</td><td>$536.0</td><td>16.9%</td></tr></table>
<table><tr><td></td><td colspan="3">Year Ended December 31, 2009</td><td colspan="3">Year Ended December 31, 2008</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Pre-tax Income</td><td>Net Income - Republic</td><td>Diluted Earnings per Share</td><td>Pre-tax Income</td><td>Net Income - Republic</td><td>Diluted Earnings per Share</td></tr><tr><td>As reported</td><td>$865.0</td><td>$495.0</td><td>$1.30</td><td>$159.3</td><td>$73.8</td><td>$0.37</td></tr><tr><td>Loss on extinguishment of debt</td><td>134.1</td><td>83.3</td><td>0.22</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Restructuring charges</td><td>63.2</td><td>38.6</td><td>0.10</td><td>82.7</td><td>49.9</td><td>0.25</td></tr><tr><td>Costs to achieve synergies</td><td>41.8</td><td>25.6</td><td>0.06</td><td>2.9</td><td>1.7</td><td>0.01</td></tr><tr><td>(Gain) loss on disposition of assets and impairments, net</td><td>-137.0</td><td>-73.8</td><td>-0.19</td><td>89.8</td><td>54.1</td><td>0.27</td></tr><tr><td>Remediation (recoveries) charges</td><td>-6.8</td><td>-4.1</td><td>-0.01</td><td>156.8</td><td>94.6</td><td>0.48</td></tr><tr><td>Tax effect of permanent items</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>31.1</td><td>0.16</td></tr><tr><td>Adjusted</td><td>$960.3</td><td>$564.6</td><td>$1.48</td><td>$491.5</td><td>$305.2</td><td>$1.54</td></tr></table>
<table><tr><td></td><td colspan="2">2014</td><td colspan="2">2013</td><td colspan="2">2012</td></tr><tr><td>Salaries</td><td>$579.8</td><td>6.6%</td><td>$545.4</td><td>6.5%</td><td>$539.4</td><td>6.6%</td></tr><tr><td>Provision for doubtful accounts</td><td>22.6</td><td>0.3</td><td>16.1</td><td>0.2</td><td>29.7</td><td>0.4</td></tr><tr><td>Other</td><td>316.5</td><td>3.6</td><td>292.3</td><td>3.4</td><td>251.8</td><td>3.1</td></tr><tr><td>Total selling, general and administrative expenses</td><td>$918.9</td><td>10.5%</td><td>$853.8</td><td>10.1%</td><td>$820.9</td><td>10.1%</td></tr></table>
<table><tr><td></td><td>December 31, 2018 TargetAssetAllocation</td><td>December 31, 2018 ActualAssetAllocation</td><td>December 31, 2017 ActualAssetAllocation</td></tr><tr><td>Debt securities</td><td>82%</td><td>83%</td><td>70%</td></tr><tr><td>Equity securities</td><td>18</td><td>17</td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>100%</td><td>100%</td><td>100%</td></tr></table>

Question: what was the percentage decline in the equity from 2017 to 2018 actual
Answer: -0.43333