FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2014

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

2. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

        Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820, Fair Value Measurement, establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair values. These tiers include:

Level 1	—	Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;
Level 2	—	Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose significant inputs are observable; and
Level 3	—	Instruments whose significant inputs are unobservable.

• Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

        The following tables include our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

	Fair Value as of April 30, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
U.S. Treasury securities	$	9,941	$	—	$	—
U.S. government agency securities		—		2,044		—
Corporate bonds and notes		—		6,841		—
Corporate equity securities		2,486		—		—
	$	12,427	$	8,885	$	—
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	2,689	$	—

	Fair Value as of April 30, 2013
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
U.S. Treasury securities	$	19,572	$	—	$	—
U.S. government agency securities		—		2,800		—
Corporate bonds and notes		—		866		—
Corporate equity securities		4,700		—		—
	$	24,272	$	3,666	$	—

        Investments in U.S. Treasury securities and corporate equity securities are based on quoted market prices for identical instruments in active markets, and therefore were classified as a Level 1 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in U.S. government agency securities and corporate bonds and notes are based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and therefore were classified as a Level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 3 for additional information related to our investments).

        The fair value of our interest rate swaps is calculated using significant observable inputs including the present value of estimated future cash flows using interest rate curves, and therefore were classified as a Level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 4 for additional information related to our interest rate swaps).

• Assets that are Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

        Impairment losses related to store-level property and equipment are calculated using significant unobservable inputs including the present value of future cash flows expected to be generated using a risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital of 14.0 percent to 15.5 percent, and therefore are classified as a Level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. For the nine months ended April 30, 2014, store-level property and equipment of $0.7 million was written down to their fair value of $0.2 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $0.5 million. For the nine months ended April 30, 2013, store-level property and equipment of $1.0 million was written down to their fair value of $0.1 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $0.9 million.

        At the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, we completed our annual impairment testing of goodwill pursuant to ASC 350, Intangible—Goodwill and Other. Based on the test results, we concluded that no impairment was necessary for the $74.2 million of goodwill related to the Peoples Jewellers acquisition and the $19.4 million of goodwill related to the Piercing Pagoda acquisition. As of the date of the test, the fair value of the Peoples Jewellers and Piercing Pagoda reporting units would have to decline by more than 30 percent and 41 percent, respectively, to be considered for potential impairment. We calculated the estimated fair value of our reporting units using Level 3 inputs, including: (1) cash flow projections for five years; (2) terminal year growth rates of two percent based on estimates of long-term inflation expectations; and (3) discount rates of 14.0 percent to 15.5 percent based on a risk-adjusted weighted average cost of capital that reflects current market conditions. While we believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of the reporting units, it is possible a material change could occur. If our actual results are not consistent with estimates and assumptions used to calculate fair value, we may be required to recognize goodwill impairments.

• Other Financial Instruments

        As cash and short-term cash investments, trade payables and certain other short-term financial instruments are all short-term in nature, their carrying amount approximates fair value. The outstanding principal of our revolving credit agreement and senior secured term loan approximates fair value as of April 30, 2014. The fair value of the revolving credit agreement and the senior secured term loan were based on estimates of current interest rates for similar debt, a Level 3 input.