Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements

Note 2 - Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements

Marketable debt and equity securities are categorized as trading securities and are thus marked to market and stated at fair value. Fair value is determined using the quoted closing or latest bid prices for Level 1 investments and market standard valuation methodologies for Level 2 investments. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined by specific identification and are recognized as incurred in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Changes in net unrealized gains and losses are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of income in the current period and represent the change in the fair value of investment holdings during the period.

Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of financial instruments is presented based upon a hierarchy of levels that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The fair value of marketable equity securities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, government securities, and cash and money funds are substantially based on quoted market prices (Level 1). Corporate and municipal bonds are valued using market standard valuation methodologies, including: discounted cash flow methodologies, matrix pricing or other similar techniques. The inputs to these market standard valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to: interest rates, credit standing of the issuer or counterparty, industry sector of the issuer, coupon rate, call provisions, maturity, estimated duration and assumptions regarding liquidity and estimated future cash flows. In addition to bond characteristics, the valuation methodologies incorporate market data, such as actual trades completed, bids and actual dealer quotes, where such information is available. Accordingly, the estimated fair values are based on available market information and judgments about financial instruments (Level 2). Fair values of the Level 2 investments, if any, are provided by the Company’s professional investment management firm.

The following table sets forth, by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s marketable securities measured at fair value as of June 30, 2021:

	Fair Value Measurements
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Equities	$	14,679,000	$	—	$	—	$	14,679,000
Mutual Funds		10,341,000		—		—		10,341,000
Exchange-Traded Funds		9,545,000		—		—		9,545,000
Corporate Bonds		—		25,229,000		—		25,229,000
Government Securities		30,998,000		—		—		30,998,000
Cash and Money Funds		4,553,000		—		—		4,553,000
Total	$	70,116,000	$	25,229,000	$	—	$	95,345,000

Changes in net unrealized gains and (losses) included in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2021, were $(219,000) and $2,284,000, respectively.

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s assets measured at fair value as of September 30, 2020:

	Fair Value Measurements
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Equities	$	11,949,000	$	—	$	—	$	11,949,000
Mutual Funds		9,595,000		—		—		9,595,000
Exchange-Traded Funds		10,344,000		—		—		10,344,000
Corporate Bonds		—		27,877,000		—		27,877,000
Government Securities		16,147,000		—		—		16,147,000
Cash and Money Funds		13,586,000		—		—		13,586,000
Total	$	61,621,000	$	27,877,000	$	—	$	89,498,000

Changes in net unrealized gains and (losses) included in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2020, were $3,979,000 and $(857,000), respectively.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company liquidated approximately $17.0 million of its investments. The cash was used to fund the acquisition of the Blaw-Knox paver line and associated assets, including inventory, fixed assets and related intellectual property, from Volvo CE, as well as pay for capital expenditures and other startup costs to get the paver line’s manufacturing facility ready for production.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items.