Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

The accounting guidance for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis, whereby the inputs used in our valuation techniques are assigned a hierarchical level. The following are the three levels of inputs to measure fair value:


•	Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

•

Level 2: Inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in less active markets; quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.


•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect our own assumptions incorporated in valuation techniques used to measure fair value. These assumptions are required to be consistent with market participant assumptions that are reasonably available.

We consider an active market to be one in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis, and consider an inactive market to be one in which there are infrequent or few transactions for the asset or liability, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers. Where appropriate, our own or the counterparty’s non-performance risk is considered in measuring the fair values of assets.

The following table presents our financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis using the above input categories (in thousands):



	As of December 31, 2015								As of December 31, 2014
Description	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	210,533	$	—	$	—	$	210,533	$	13,069	$	—	$	—	$	13,069
U.S. Government agencies	—		—		—		—		—		12,950		—		12,950
Total cash equivalents	$	210,533	$	—	$	—	$	210,533	$	13,069	$	12,950	$	—	$	26,019
Short-term investments:
Certificates of deposit	—		19,124		—		19,124		—		4,994		—		4,994
Corporate notes and bonds	—		447,267		—		447,267		—		142,984		—		142,984
U.S. Government agencies	—		301,384		—		301,384		—		107,867		—		107,867
Total short-term investments	$	—	$	767,775	$	—	$	767,775	$	—	$	255,845	$	—	$	255,845
Total assets measured at fair value	$	210,533	$	767,775	$	—	$	978,308	$	13,069	$	268,795	$	—	$	281,864

The estimated fair value of the Convertible Senior Notes as of December 31, 2015 was determined to be $766.5 million, based on quoted market prices. We consider the fair value of the Convertible Senior Notes to be a Level 2 measurement as they are not actively traded.

The estimated fair value of our equity method investment as of December 31, 2015 was determined to be $1.8 million. We consider the fair value of our equity method investment to be a Level 3 measurement based on the use of unobservable inputs.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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