NOTE 5 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial instruments recorded in 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 and past experience, but are primarily made up of individual account balances identified as doubtful based on specific facts and conditions. Receivable losses are charged against the allowance when we confirm uncollectibility.

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 tables present 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 August 31, 2018
U.S. Treasury and other government	$	-	$	24,027	$	-		$	24,027
Corporate bonds				451					451
Mutual funds - foreign				47,595					47,595
Mutual funds - domestic				113,891					113,891
Contingent consideration						(13,416	)		(13,416	)
Total	$	-	$	185,964	$	(13,416	)	$	172,548

(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, 2018
U.S. Treasury and other government	$	-	$	23,049	$	-		$	23,049
Corporate bonds				467					467
Mutual funds - foreign				47,410					47,410
Mutual funds - domestic				107,017					107,017
Contingent consideration						(17,998	)		(17,998	)
Total	$	-	$	177,943	$	(17,998	)	$	159,945

Our marketable securities are primarily composed of available-for-sale securities, and are valued using a market approach. 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.

The contingent consideration represents the estimated fair value of the additional variable cash consideration payable in connection with recent acquisitions that is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance milestones. We estimated the fair value using expected future cash flows over the period in which the obligation is expected to be settled, and applied a discount rate that appropriately captures a market participant's view of the risk associated with the obligation, which are considered to be Level 3 inputs. During the first three months of fiscal 2019, we paid approximately $4.6 million for settlements of contingent consideration obligations relating to certain performance milestones that were established in prior periods and achieved during the current period. During the first three months of fiscal 2018, we paid approximately $3.3 million for settlements of contingent consideration obligations relating to certain performance milestones that were established in prior periods and achieved during last year’s first quarter. These amounts are reported in payments of acquisition-related contingent consideration in cash flows from operations and from financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

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 August 31, 2018 and May 31, 2018, 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 August 31, 2018 and May 31, 2018 are as follows:

	At August 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	202,183	$	202,183
Marketable equity securities		149,560		149,560
Marketable debt securities		24,478		24,478
Long-term debt, including current portion		2,270,535		2,320,331

	At May 31, 2018
(In thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	244,422	$	244,422
Marketable equity securities		144,555		144,555
Marketable debt securities		23,516		23,516
Long-term debt, including current portion		2,174,144		2,215,458