Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments -The carrying value of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and certain other financial instruments (such as short-term borrowings, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities) included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets approximates their fair value principally due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.  The carrying value of non-interest bearing notes receivable beyond one year have been discounted at a rate of 4% which approximates rates offered in the market for notes receivable with similar terms and conditions.  The fair value of equity method and cost method investments has not been determined as it was impracticable to do so due to the fact that the investee companies are relatively small, early stage private companies for which there is no comparable valuation data available without unreasonable time and expense.

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, trade accounts and note receivable.  Our available cash is held in accounts managed by third-party financial institutions.  Cash may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insurance limits. While we monitor cash balances on a regular basis and adjust the balances as appropriate, these balances could be impacted if the underlying financial institutions fail. To date, we have experienced no loss or lack of access to our cash; however, we can provide no assurances that access to our cash will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets.