NOTE O – 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, 2013, 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	$	-	$	3,183	$	-	$	3,183

Total assets	$	-	$	3,183	$	-	$	3,183

Liabilities
Derivative contracts	$	-	$	6,313	$	-	$	6,313

Total liabilities	$	-	$	6,313	$	-	$	6,313

At May 31, 2013, 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	$	-	$	761	$	-	$	761

Total assets	$	-	$	761	$	-	$	761

Liabilities
Derivative contracts	$	-	$	9,774	$	-	$	9,774

Total liabilities	$	-	$	9,774	$	-	$	9,774

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

At August 31, 2013, 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 and used (1)	$	-	$	11,827	$	-	$	11,827

Total assets	$	-	$	11,827	$	-	$	11,827

(1)

During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we determined that certain indicators of impairment were present with regard to certain non-core Steel Processing assets. Recoverability of the identified asset group was tested using future cash flow projections based on management’s estimate of market conditions. The sum of these undiscounted future cash flows was less than the net book value of the asset group. The net book value was also determined to be in excess of fair value and, accordingly, the asset group was written down to its fair value of $11,827,000, resulting in an impairment charge of $4,641,000. 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.

At May 31, 2013, our assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis were categorized 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 and used (1)	$	-	$	6,856	$	-	$	6,856

Total assets	$	-	$	6,856	$	-	$	6,856

(1)

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the long-lived assets of our 60%-owned consolidated joint venture in India, WNCL, were written down to their fair value of $6,856,000, resulting in an impairment charge of $4,968,000. This impairment loss was recorded within impairment of long-lived assets in our consolidated statement of earnings. The portion of this impairment loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest, or $1,987,000, is recorded within net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest 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 N – 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 items, 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 (Level 2) inputs and credit risk, was $411,492,000 and $421,056,000 at August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively. The carrying amount of long-term debt, including current maturities, was $407,047,000 and $407,328,000 at August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively.