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STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2011
Stockholder's Equity [Abstract]  
Stockholder's Equity [Text Block]
NOTE 5 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Dividends

Dividends

No dividends were declared by the Company's Board of Directors during the first three months of fiscal year 2012.  The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2011.

     
First Payment
 
Second Payment
Declared
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
  
Amount
 
1-19-11
 
$
0.60
 
2-15-11
 
2-28-11
 
$
0.30
 
8-15-11
 
8-31-11
 
$
0.30

The Company anticipates the ongoing payment of semi-annual dividends in subsequent periods, although the actual declaration of future dividends, the amount of such dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors at its discretion after its review of the Company's financial performance and anticipated capital requirements. 

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
    Translation adjustment losses from the Company's subsidiaries and investment in affiliates that use a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, resulting from the translation of the assets and liabilities of these companies into U.S. dollars, were approximately $9.1 million and $198,000 for the first three months of fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The translation adjustment loss during the first three months of fiscal year 2012 was primarily due to $8.9 million related to the merger of wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company and a correction of translation errors affecting Property and equipment, net (see Note 1).  In addition, losses for approximately $200,000 were recorded during the first 3 months of fiscal year 2012 and the effect that such weaker currencies have on the translation of financial statements.  The $198,000 losses recorded for the first three months of fiscal year 2011 was mainly due to weaker foreign currencies.
 
    The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss reported on the Company's consolidated balance sheets:
 
   
November, 30 2011
   
August 31, 2011
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
               
Change in fair value of interest rate and cross currency interest rate swaps, net of tax
 
$
(86
)
 
$
(748
)
Prior Service Cost Accrual (including amortization) on Defined Benefit Plan, net of tax
   
(264
)
   
(273
)
Foreign-currency translation adjustment
   
(30,999
)
   
(21,894
)
Balance at November 30 and August 31, 2011
 
$
(31,349
)
 
$
(22,915
)

Retained Earnings Not Available for Distribution
 
As of November 30 and August 31, 2011, retained earnings included retained earnings designated as legal reserves of various subsidiaries of approximately $4.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively, which cannot be distributed as dividends to PriceSmart, Inc. according to applicable statutory regulations.