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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
12 Months Ended
May 31, 2011
Fair Value Disclosures Abstract  
Fair Value Disclosures Text Block

NOTE D — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Financial instruments recorded on the balance sheet include cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, marketable securities, notes and accounts payable, and debt.

 

An allowance for anticipated uncollectible trade receivable amounts is established using a combination of specifically identified accounts to be reserved, and a reserve covering trends in collectibility. These estimates are based on an analysis of trends in collectibility, past experience, and individual account balances identified as doubtful based on specific facts and conditions. Receivable losses are charged against the allowance when we confirm uncollectibility.

 

All derivative instruments are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and measured at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that do not qualify as hedges and/or any ineffective portion of hedges are recognized as a gain or (loss) in our Consolidated Statement of Income in the current period. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments used effectively as cash flow hedges are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), along with the change in the value of the hedged item. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

 

The valuation techniques utilized for establishing the fair values of assets and liabilities are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect management's market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value, as follows:

 

Level 1 Inputs — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

Level 2 Inputs — 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 inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

 

Level 3 Inputs — Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.

 

The following table presents our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy.

 (In thousands) Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value at May 31, 2011
          
 U.S. Treasury and other government$ -$ 26,480$ -$ 26,480
 Mortgage-backed securities    532    532
 Corporate bonds    3,029    3,029
 Stocks - foreign  37,549      37,549
 Stocks - domestic  31,849      31,849
 Mutual funds - foreign    18,413    18,413
 Mutual funds - domestic    31,791    31,791
 Foreign currency forward contract    6,157    6,157
 Cross-currency swap    (20,519)    (20,519)
          
 Total$ 69,398$ 65,883$ -$ 135,281
          

 (In thousands) Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value at May 31, 2010
          
 U.S. Treasury and other government$ -$ 20,080$ -$ 20,080
 State and municipal bonds    388    388
 Foreign bonds    1,352    1,352
 Mortgage-backed securities    667    667
 Corporate bonds    8,395    8,395
 Stocks - foreign  2,924      2,924
 Stocks - domestic  53,009      53,009
 Mutual funds - foreign    17,230    17,230
 Mutual funds - domestic    9,865    9,865
 Cross-currency swap    (1,412)    (1,412)
          
 Total$ 55,933$ 56,565$ -$ 112,498
          

Our marketable securities are composed of mainly available-for-sale securities, and are valued using a market approach based on quoted market prices for identical instruments. The availability of inputs observable in the market varies from instrument to instrument and depends on a variety of factors including the type of instrument, whether the instrument is actively traded, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. For most of our financial instruments, pricing inputs are readily observable in the market, the valuation methodology used is widely accepted by market participants, and the valuation does not require significant management discretion. For other financial instruments, pricing inputs are less observable in the market and may require management judgment.

 

Our cross-currency swap is a liability that has a fair value of $20.5 million at May 31, 2011, that was originally designed to fix our interest and principal payments in euros for the life of our unsecured 6.70% senior notes due November 1, 2015, which resulted in an effective euro fixed-rate borrowing of 5.31%. The basis for determining the rates for this swap included three legs at the inception of the agreement: the U.S. dollar (USD) fixed rate to a USD floating rate; the euro floating to euro fixed rate; and the dollar to euro basis fixed rate at inception. Therefore, we essentially exchanged fixed payments denominated in USD for fixed payments denominated in euros, paying fixed euros at 5.31% and receiving fixed USD at 6.70%. The ultimate payments are based on the notional principal amounts of 150 million USD and approximately 125 million euros. There will be an exchange of the notional amounts at maturity. The rates included in this swap are based upon observable market data, but are not quoted market prices, and therefore, the cross-currency swap is considered a Level 2 liability on the fair value hierarchy. Additionally, this cross-currency swap has been designated as a hedging instrument, and is classified as other long-term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

We have a foreign currency forward contract with a fair value of $6.2 million at May 31, 2011. This foreign currency forward contract, which has not been designated as a hedge, was designed to reduce our exposure to the changes in the cash flows of intercompany foreign-currency-denominated loans related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates by fixing the functional currency cash flows. Upon inception of the contract, we purchased 80.4 million USD and sold approximately 59.9 million euros. Changes in the USD/euro exchange rate will either increase or decrease our USD functional currency earnings, and will be reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Income. During the year ended May 31, 2011, we recognized a gain of approximately $6.2 million as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates of this foreign currency forward contract. However, these gains were more than offset by the change in exchange rates associated with the related intercompany foreign currency denominated loans, for which we recognized a loss of approximately $6.4 million during the year ended May 31, 2011. The foreign currency forward contract matures on November 23, 2011, one year from the date of inception. There will be an exchange of the notional amounts at maturity. The foreign exchange rates included in this forward contract are based upon observable market data, but are not quoted market prices, and therefore, the forward currency forward contract is considered a Level 2 liability on the fair value hierarchy.

 

The carrying value of our current financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments. At May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2010, the fair value of our long-term debt was estimated using active market quotes, based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs. Based on the analysis performed, the fair value and the carrying value of our financial instruments and long-term debt as of May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2010 are as follows:

 

    At May 31, 2011
 (In thousands)  Carrying Value  Fair Value
        
 Cash and cash equivalents $ 435,011 $ 435,011
        
 Marketable equity securities   119,602   119,602
        
 Marketable debt securities   30,041   30,041
        
 Long-term debt, including current portion   1,108,853   1,203,016
        
    At May 31, 2010
 (In thousands)  Carrying Value  Fair Value
        
 Cash and cash equivalents $ 215,355 $ 215,355
        
 Marketable equity securities   83,028   83,028
        
 Marketable debt securities   30,882   30,882
        
 Long-term debt, including current portion   928,615   1,000,128