Fair Value

3 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2012

Fair Value

NOTE M – Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is an exit price concept that assumes an orderly transaction between willing market participants and is required to be based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. Current accounting guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy as a basis for considering such assumptions and for classifying the inputs used in the valuation methodologies. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair values are as follows:

Level 1	–	Observable prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2	–	Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 3	–	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

At August 31, 2012, our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

(in thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Totals
Assets
Derivative contracts	$	-	$	739	$	-	$	739
Total assets	$	-	$	739	$	-	$	739
Liabilities
Derivative contracts	$	-	$	12,370	$	-	$	12,370
Total liabilities	$	-	$	12,370	$	-	$	12,370

At May 31, 2012, our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

(in thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Totals
Assets
Derivative contracts	$	-	$	1,157	$	-	$	1,157
Total assets	$	-	$	1,157	$	-	$	1,157
Liabilities
Derivative contracts	$	-	$	14,993	$	-	$	14,993
Total liabilities	$	-	$	14,993	$	-	$	14,993

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

At August 31, 2012, our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis were as follows:

(in thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Totals
Assets
Long-lived assets held for sale (1)	$	-	$	6,934	$	-	$	6,934
Total assets	$	-	$	6,934	$	-	$	6,934

(1) During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, certain assets within our Pressure Cylinders operating segment met the applicable criteria for classification as assets held for sale. Accordingly, this asset group is presented separately in our consolidated balance sheet as assets held for sale. The net book value of the asset group was determined to be in excess of fair value, and, as a result, the asset group was written down to its fair value less cost to sell, or $6,934,000, resulting in an impairment charge of $1,570,000. This impairment charge was recorded within impairment of long-lived assets in our consolidated statement of earnings. Fair value was determined based on market prices for similar assets.

The fair value of our foreign currency contracts, commodity contracts and interest rate contracts is based on the present value of the expected future cash flows considering the risks involved, including non-performance risk, and using discount rates appropriate for the respective maturities. Market observable, Level 2 inputs are used to determine the present value of the expected future cash flows. Refer to “NOTE L – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” for additional information regarding our use of derivative instruments.

The fair value of non-derivative financial instruments included in the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, income taxes receivable, other assets, deferred income taxes, accounts payable, short-term borrowings, accrued compensation, contributions to employee benefit plans and related taxes, other accrued expenses, income taxes payable and other liabilities approximate carrying value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, based upon models utilizing market observable inputs and credit risk, was $429,870,000 and $274,754,000 at August 31, 2012 and May 31, 2012, respectively. The carrying amount of long-term debt, including current maturities, was $408,353,000 and $258,791,000 at August 31, 2012 and May 31, 2012, respectively.