Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation:

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and related Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations.  

Principles of Consolidation:

The Company’s policy is to consolidate those entities in which it has a direct or indirect controlling financial interest based on either the voting interest model or the variable interest model.  As such, the Company consolidates majority-owned subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, and certain investment vehicles the operating company sponsors for which it is the investment adviser that are considered to be variable-interest entities (“VIEs”), and for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

Pursuant to the Consolidation Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”), for legal entities evaluated for consolidation, the Company determines whether interests it holds and fees paid to the entity qualify as a variable interest.  If it is determined that the Company does not have a variable interest in the entity, no further analysis is required and the Company does not consolidate the entity.  If it is determined that the Company has a variable interest, it considers its direct economic interests and the proportionate indirect interests through related parties to determine if it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.

For equity investments where the Company does not control the investee, and where it is not the primary beneficiary of a VIE, but can exert significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee, the Company follows the equity method of accounting.  The evaluation of whether the Company exerts control or significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee requires significant judgment based on the facts and circumstances surrounding each investment.  Factors considered in these evaluations may include the type of investment, the legal structure of the investee, the terms of the investment agreement, or other agreements with the investee.

The Company analyzes entities structured as series funds which comply with the requirements included in the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered mutual funds as voting interest entities because the shareholders are deemed to have the ability to direct the activities of the fund that most significantly impact the fund's economic performance.

Consolidated Entities

The Company consolidates the financial results of the operating company and records in its own equity its pro-rata share of transactions that impact the operating company’s net equity, including unit and option issuances, repurchases, and retirements.  The operating company’s pro-rata share of such transactions are recorded as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital or non-controlling interests, as applicable, on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

The majority-owned subsidiaries in which the Company, through its interest in the operating company, has a controlling financial interest and the VIEs for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary are collectively referred to as “consolidated subsidiaries.”  Non-controlling interests recorded on the consolidated financial statements of the Company include the non-controlling interests of the outside investors in each of these entities, as well as those of the operating company.  All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated through consolidation.

During 2014, the Company provided the initial cash investment for three Pzena mutual funds in an effort to generate an investment performance track record to attract third-party investors. During 2016, the Company provided the initial cash investment for the launch of a fourth Pzena mutual fund: the Pzena Small Cap Value Fund.  During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company provided the initial cash investment for the launch of a fifth Pzena mutual fund: the Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund.  Due to their series fund structure, registration, and compliance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, these funds are analyzed for consolidation under the voting interest model.  As a result of the Company's initial interests, it consolidated the Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund, Pzena Long/Short Value Fund, Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund, Pzena Small Cap Value Fund, and Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund.  On July 11, 2016, due to additional subscriptions into the Pzena Small Cap Value Fund, the Company's ownership decreased to 36.1%.  On November 9, 2017 and December 21, 2017, due to additional subscriptions into the Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund and Pzena Long/Short Value Fund, respectively, the Company's ownership decreased to 41.7% and 35.5%, respectively. As the Company was no longer deemed to control the funds, the Company deconsolidated the entities, removed the related assets, liabilities and non-controlling interest from its balance sheet and classified the Company's remaining investments as equity method investments.  

The operating company is the managing member of Pzena International Value Service, a series of Pzena Investment Management International, LLC.  The operating company is considered the primary beneficiary of this entity.  At September 30, 2018, Pzena International Value Service’s $3.3 million in net assets was included in the Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition.

These consolidated investment partnerships are investment companies and apply specialized industry accounting for investment companies. The Company has retained this specialized accounting for these investment partnerships pursuant to U.S. GAAP.

Non-Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

VIEs that are not consolidated receive investment management services from the operating company and are generally private investment partnerships sponsored by the operating company.  The total net assets of these VIEs was approximately $250.1 million and $165.5 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the operating company had $3.0 million in investments in certain of these firm-sponsored vehicles, the majority of which are primarily held to satisfy certain of the Company’s obligations under its deferred compensation programs, for which the Company was not deemed to be the primary beneficiary.  The Company's exposure to risk in the non-consolidated VIEs is generally limited to any equity investment and any uncollected management fees. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the non-consolidated VIEs was $3.3 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2018 and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2018:

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the goods or services. The Company completed its overall assessment of its revenue streams and review of related contracts potentially affected by the new standard, including base management fees, performance fees, and fulcrum fee arrangements. Based on this assessment, the Company concluded that ASU No. 2014-09 did not change the method in which the Company currently recognizes revenue. The Company also completed its evaluation of certain costs related to revenue streams to determine whether such costs should be presented as expenses or contra-revenue. Based on its evaluation, the Company concluded that the classification of fund expense cap reimbursements should change upon adoption. The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018 using a modified retrospective approach. The adoption of the new standard requires the Company to present fund expense cap reimbursements net against Revenue. Prior to adoption, these expense cap reimbursements were presented as a component of General and Administrative Expense. These classification changes resulted in immaterial changes to both revenue and expense. In accordance with the historic method of accounting under ASC Topic 605, Revenue and General and Administrative Expenses would have been higher by $0.2 million and $0.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.  As the implementation of the new standard did not impact the measurement or recognition of revenue, a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings was not deemed necessary. Consistent with the modified retrospective approach, the Company did not adjust prior period amounts for the fund expense cap reimbursement reclassifications noted above. The Company has included additional disclosures associated with the disaggregation of revenue and performance obligations.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)." This update provides specific guidance on cash flow classification issues, which is intended to reduce the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-15 as of January 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash." This update requires entities to show the changes in the total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-18 as of January 1, 2018 using a retrospective approach. Upon adoption, the net change in cash presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows will reflect the total of cash and restricted cash.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted:

In September 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract.” This new guidance requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance in ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as assets or expense as incurred. The guidance is effective for the fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard, however, does not expect the standard to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)."  This new guidance requires the use of an “expected loss” model, rather than an “incurred loss” model, for financial instruments measured at amortized cost and also requires companies to record allowances for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount.  The guidance is effective for the fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2019.  The guidance should be applied using a retrospective approach.  The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard, however, does not expect the standard to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." This amended standard was written to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. The amendments also require certain quantitative and qualitative disclosure. Accounting guidance for lessors is largely unchanged. This guidance is effective for the fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2018 and requires a modified retrospective approach to adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements. The standard is expected to result in an increase in total assets and total liabilities but will not have a significant impact on the consolidated statement of operations.

Management's Use of Estimates

Management’s Use of Estimates:

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the period.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition:

Revenue, comprised of advisory fee income, is recognized over the period in which advisory services are provided. Advisory fee income includes management fees that are calculated based on percentages of assets under management (“AUM”), generally billed quarterly, either in arrears or advance, depending on the applicable contractual terms. Advisory fee income also includes performance fees that may be earned by the Company depending on the investment return of the AUM, as well as fulcrum fee arrangements. Performance fee arrangements generally entitle the Company to participate, on a fixed-percentage basis, in any returns generated in excess of an agreed-upon benchmark. The Company’s participation percentage in such return differentials is then multiplied by AUM to determine the performance fees earned. In general, returns are calculated on an annualized basis over the contract’s measurement period, which usually extends to three years. Performance fees are generally payable annually or quarterly. Fulcrum fee arrangements require a reduction in the base fee, or allow for a performance fee if the relevant investment strategy underperforms or outperforms, respectively, the agreed-upon benchmark over the contract's measurement period, which extends to three years. Fulcrum fees are generally payable quarterly. Following the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC, performance fee income is recorded at the conclusion of the contractual performance period, when it is probable that significant reversal of the performance fee will not occur. Upon adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 on January 1, 2018, advisory fee income also includes fund expense cap reimbursements which are required to be presented net against Revenue rather than as a component of General and Administrative Expense.

Revenue from advisory fees is disaggregated into categories based on the composition of the Company's client base and advisory fee structure for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:

	For the Three Months Ended September 30,					For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
Revenue	2018			2017		2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Separately Managed Accounts
Asset-Based Fees	$	19,578		$	19,407	$	58,820		$	55,593
Performance-Based Fees		—			349		—			410
Total Separately Managed Fees		19,578			19,756		58,820			56,003
Sub-Advised Accounts
Asset-Based Fees	$	15,860		$	13,493	$	46,772		$	38,157
Decrease in Asset-Based Fees		—			—		—			—
Performance-Based Fees		756			580		2,551			1,280
Total Sub-Advised Fees		16,616			14,073		49,323			39,437
Pzena Funds
Asset-Based Fees	$	3,537		$	2,400	$	9,658		$	6,946
Expense Cap Reimbursements		(151	)		—		(633	)		—
Performance-Based Fees		—			—		12			—
Total Pzena Funds Fees		3,386			2,400		9,037			6,946
Total	$	39,580		$	36,229	$	117,180		$	102,386

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Cash and Cash Equivalents was $31.9 million and $63.4 million, respectively.  The Company considers all money market funds and highly-liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposits, other accounts whose balances often exceed federally insured limits and treasury money market funds. Cash is stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Interest on cash and cash equivalents is recorded as Interest Income on an accrual basis in the consolidated statements of operations.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash:

At both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had $1.0 million of compensating balances recorded in Restricted Cash in the consolidated statements of financial condition. These balances reflect a letter of credit issued by a third party in lieu of a cash security deposit, as required by the Company’s lease for its corporate headquarters.

The following table reconciles cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash per the consolidated statements of cash flows to the consolidated statements of financial condition.

	September 30, 2018		June 30, 2018		December 31, 2017		September 30, 2017		June 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(in thousands)
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	31,913	$	52,541	$	63,414	$	47,910	$	34,749	$	43,522
Restricted Cash		1,026		1,024		1,017		4,590		4,298		3,636
Total	$	32,939	$	53,565	$	64,431	$	52,500	$	39,047	$	47,158

Due to/from Broker

Due to/from Broker:

Due to/from Broker consists primarily of amounts payable/receivable for unsettled securities transactions held/initiated at the clearing brokers of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries.

Non-Cash Compensation

Non-Cash Compensation:

All non-cash compensation awards granted have varying vesting schedules and are issued at prices equal to the assessed fair market value at the time of issuance.  Expenses associated with these awards are recognized over the period during which employees are required to provide service.  The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

Investments

Investments:

Investments, at Fair Value

Investments, at Fair Value consist of equity securities at fair value and trading debt securities held by the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, as well as investments in open-ended registered mutual funds.  Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such determination on an ongoing basis. Dividends and interest income associated with the Company's investments and the investments of the Company's consolidated subsidiaries are recognized as Dividend Income on an ex-dividend basis and Interest Income, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations.

All such investments are recorded at fair value, with net realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized as a component of Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/ (Losses) from Investments in the consolidated statements of operations.

Investments in equity method investees

The Company accounted for its investments in certain private investment partnerships in which the Company has non-controlling interests and exercises significant influence, using the equity method.  These investments are included in Investments in the Company's consolidated statements of financial condition.  The carrying value of these investments are recorded at the amount of capital reported by the private investment partnership or mutual fund.  The capital account for each entity reflects any contributions paid to, distributions received from, and equity earnings of, the relevant entity.  The earnings of these investments are recognized as in Equity in Earnings/ (Losses) of Affiliates in the consolidated statements of operations.

Investments in equity method investees are evaluated for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.  If the carrying amounts of the assets exceed their respective fair values, additional impairment tests are performed to measure the amounts of impairment losses, if any.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, no impairment losses were recognized.

Securities Valuation

Securities Valuation:

Investments in equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported price or closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. If no reported equity sales occurred on the valuation date, equity investments are valued at the bid price. Investments in registered mutual funds are carried at fair value at their respective net asset values as of the valuation date. Otherwise, fair values for investment securities are based on Level 2 or Level 3 inputs detailed in Note 9. Transactions are recorded on a trade date basis.

The net realized gain or loss on sales of equity securities and securities sold short is determined on a specific identification basis and is included in Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/ (Losses) from Investments in the consolidated statements of operations.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of Credit Risk:

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, amounts due from brokers, and advisory fees receivable.  The Company maintains its cash in bank deposits and other accounts whose balances often exceed federally insured limits.

The concentration of credit risk with respect to advisory fees receivable is generally limited due to the short payment terms extended to clients by the Company.  On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its advisory fees receivable and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts, if necessary, based on a history of past write-offs, collections, and current credit conditions.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately 11.3% and 11.8%, respectively, of the Company's advisory fees were generated from advisory agreements with one client relationship. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 approximately 11.2% of the Company's advisory fees were generated from advisory agreements with one client relationship.  At both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there was no allowance for doubtful accounts.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment:

Property and equipment is carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, except for leasehold improvements, which range from three to seven years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the improvements or the remaining lease term.

Business Segments

Business Segments:

The Company views its operations as comprising one operating segment.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes:

The Company is a “C” corporation under the Internal Revenue Code, and thus liable for federal, state, and local taxes on the income derived from its economic interest in its operating company.  The operating company is a limited liability company that has elected to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes.  It has not made a provision for federal or state income taxes because it is the individual responsibility of each of the operating company’s members (including the Company) to separately report their proportionate share of the operating company’s taxable income or loss.  The operating company has made a provision for New York City Unincorporated Business Tax (“UBT”) and its consolidated subsidiary Pzena Investment Management, LTD has made a provision for U.K. income taxes.  The effective tax rate for interim periods represents the Company’s best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applied to the full fiscal year, adjusted for discrete items recognized during the quarter.

Judgment is required in evaluating the Company's uncertain tax positions and determining its provision for income taxes. The Company establishes liabilities for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These liabilities are established when the Company believes that certain positions might be challenged despite its belief that its tax return positions are in accordance with applicable tax laws. The Company adjusts these liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit, new tax legislation or the change of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. The provision for income taxes includes the effect of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate.  It is also the Company’s policy to recognize accrued interest, and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions in Income Tax Expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries account for all U.S. federal, state, local, and U.K. taxation pursuant to the asset and liability method, which requires deferred income tax assets and liabilities to be recorded for temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to affect taxable income.  Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount more-likely-than-not to be realized.  At both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company did not have a valuation allowance recorded against its deferred tax assets.

The income tax expense, or benefit, is the tax payable or refundable for the period, plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company records its deferred tax liabilities as a component of other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition. All excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies related to stock- and unit-transactions are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of the provision for income taxes.

Tax Receivable Agreement

Tax Receivable Agreement:

The Company’s purchase of membership units of the operating company concurrent with the initial public offering, and the subsequent and future exchanges by holders of Class B units of the operating company for shares of Class A common stock (pursuant to the exchange rights provided for in the operating company’s operating agreement), have resulted in, and are expected to continue to result in, increases in the Company’s share of the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of the operating company, which will increase the tax depreciation and amortization deductions that otherwise would not have been available to the Company.  These increases in tax basis and tax depreciation and amortization are each deductible for tax purposes over a period of 15 years and have reduced, and are expected to continue to reduce, the amount of cash taxes that the Company would otherwise be required to pay in the future. The Company has entered into a tax receivable agreement with past, current, and future members of the operating company that requires the Company to pay to any member involved in any exchange transaction 85% of the amount of cash tax savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or foreign or franchise tax that it realizes as a result of these increases in tax basis and, in limited cases, transfers or prior increases in tax basis.  The Company expects to benefit from the remaining 15% of cash tax savings, if any, in income tax it realizes.  Payments under the tax receivable agreement will be based on the tax reporting positions that the Company will determine.  The Company will not be reimbursed for any payments previously made under the tax receivable agreement if a tax basis increase is successfully challenged by the Internal Revenue Service.  

The Company records an increase in deferred tax assets for the estimated income tax effects of the increases in tax basis based on enacted federal and state tax rates at the date of the exchange.  The Company records 85% of the estimated realizable tax benefit (which is the recorded deferred tax asset less any recorded valuation allowance) as an increase to the liability due under the tax receivable agreement, which is reflected as the liability to selling and converting shareholders in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The remaining 15% of the estimated realizable tax benefit is initially recorded as an increase to the Company’s additional paid-in capital.  All of the effects to the deferred tax asset of changes in any of the estimates after the tax year of the exchange will be reflected in the provision for income taxes.  Similarly, the effect of subsequent changes in the enacted tax rates will be reflected in the provision for income taxes.

If the Company exercises its right to terminate the tax receivable agreement early, the Company will be obligated to make an early termination payment to the selling and converting shareholders, based upon the net present value (based upon certain assumptions and deemed events set forth in the tax receivable agreement) of all payments that would be required to be paid by the Company under the tax receivable agreement.  If certain change of control events were to occur, the Company would be obligated to make an early termination payment.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency:

The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. Dollar.  Assets and liabilities of foreign operations whose functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the applicable reporting date, and the consolidated statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the applicable period.  A charge or credit is recorded to other comprehensive (loss)/ income to reflect the translation of these amounts to the extent the non-U.S. currency is designated the functional currency of the subsidiary.  Non-functional currency related transaction gains and losses are immediately recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million of other comprehensive loss, respectively, associated with foreign currency translation adjustments. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of other comprehensive income associated with foreign currency translation adjustments.  

Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into U.S. Dollar amounts at the date of valuation.  Purchases and sales of investment securities, and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies, are remeasured into U.S. Dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Company does not isolate the portion of the results of its operations resulting from the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on its non-U.S. investments.  Such fluctuations are included in Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/ (Losses) from Investments in the consolidated statements of operations.

Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, foreign withholding taxes, and other receivables and payables recorded on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition and the U.S. Dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid.  Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities resulting from changes in exchange rates.

Fair Value Measurements

The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC defines fair value 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.  The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC also establishes a framework for measuring fair value and a valuation hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability. Classification within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The valuation hierarchy contains three levels: (i) valuation inputs are unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (Level 1); (ii) valuation inputs are quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and other observable inputs directly or indirectly related to the asset or liability being measured (Level 2); and (iii) valuation inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement (Level 3).

Level 1 assets consist primarily of cash equivalents and equity investments at fair value. Cash investments in actively traded money market funds are measured at net asset values. Equity securities are exchange-traded securities with quoted prices in active markets. The fair value of investments in mutual funds are based on a published net asset values.

Level 2 assets consist of debt securities for which the fair values are determined using independent third-party broker or dealer price quotes. U.S. Treasury bills are valued upon quoted market prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable or corroborated by observable market data.  The fair value of corporate bonds is measured using various techniques, which consider recently executed transactions in securities of the issuer or comparable issuers, market price quotations (where observable), bond spreads and fundamental data relating to the issuer.

The investments in equity method investees are held at their carrying value.