Note M – Fair Values

At April 30, 2015 and July 31, 2014, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and derivative contracts. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and short-term borrowings approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. As of April 30, 2015, the estimated fair value of long-term debt with fixed interest rates was $265.9 million compared to the carrying value of $250.0 million. The fair value is estimated by discounting projected cash flows using the rate that similar amounts of debt could currently be borrowed, which is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative contracts are reported at their fair values based on third-party quotes. The fair values of the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities listed below reflect the amounts that would be received to sell the assets or paid to transfer the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. These inputs include foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The financial assets and financial liabilities are primarily valued using standard calculations and models that use as their basis readily observable market parameters. Industry standard data providers are the primary source for forward and spot rate information for both interest rates and currency rates.

The following summarizes the Company’s fair value of outstanding derivatives at April 30, 2015 and July 31, 2014 on the balance sheets (thousands of dollars):


	Significant Other Observable Inputs
	(Level 2)*
	April 30,	July 31,
	2015	2014
Asset derivatives recorded under the caption Prepaids and other current assets
Foreign exchange contracts	$ 3,450	$ 931

Liability derivatives recorded under the caption Other current liabilities
Foreign exchange contracts	$ (2,577)	$ (1,242)

Forward exchange contracts - net asset (liability) position	$ 873	$ (311)

*Inputs to the valuation methodology of Level 2 assets include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

The Company holds equity method investments which are classified in other long-term assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate carrying amount of these investments was $18.3 million as of April 30, 2015, and $21.4 million as of July 31, 2014. These equity method investments are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The fair value of the Company’s equity method investments has not been estimated as there have been no identified events or changes in circumstance that would have had an adverse impact on the value of these investments. In the event that these investments were required to be measured, these investments would fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, due to the use of significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value, as the investments are privately-held entities without quoted market prices.

Goodwill and intangible assets are assessed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets are not recorded at fair value as there have been no events or circumstances that would have an adverse impact on the value of these assets. In the event that an impairment was recognized, the fair value would be classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note H for further discussion of the annual goodwill impairment analysis and carrying values of goodwill and other intangible assets.

The Company assesses the impairment of property, plant, and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of property, plant, and equipment assets may not be recoverable. There were no significant impairment charges recorded during the three or nine months ended April 30, 2015 or 2014.