RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block]

NOTE 23 — RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU clarifies the concepts related to highest and best use and valuation premise, blockage factors and other premiums and discounts, the fair value measurement of financial instruments held in a portfolio and of those instruments classified as a component of shareholders’ equity. The guidance includes enhanced disclosure requirements about recurring Level 3 fair value measurements, the use of nonfinancial assets, and the level in the fair value hierarchy of assets and liabilities not recorded at fair value. The provisions of this ASU are effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Early application is prohibited. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”. The ASU addresses the presentation of comprehensive income and provides entities with the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The provisions of this ASU, which are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011, do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued accounting pronouncement No. 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (FASB ASC Topic 350) that will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under these amendments, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The amendments include a number of events and circumstances for an entity to consider in conducting the qualitative assessment. The provisions for this pronouncement are effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this pronouncement for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012. We do not expect this pronouncement to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.