INVESTMENTS

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

INVESTMENTS [Abstract]

INVESTMENTS [Text Block]

4. INVESTMENTS

The company’s investments in debt and equity securities are as follows (in millions):

	June 30		December 31		June 30
	2011		2010		2010
Money market funds	$	59.0	$	82.9	$	112.8
Corporate bonds		6.5		6.8		6.8
Other investments		9.4		8.5		8.2
	$	74.9	$	98.2	$	127.8

Investments in debt and equity securities are classified on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in millions):

	June 30		December 31		June 30
	2011		2010		2010
Cash equivalents	$	8.8	$	12.6	$	46.5
Short-term investments		52.7		70.6		66.6
Long-term investments		13.4		15.0		14.7
	$	74.9	$	98.2	$	127.8

Investments categorized as trading (including money market funds) totaled $61.6 million, $85.0 million and $114.7 million at June 30, 2011, December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, respectively.  Corporate bonds and certain other investments are categorized as held-to-maturity.  The contractual maturities of the held-to-maturity investments at June 30, 2011 are as follows (in millions):

Years to maturity

Less than 1 year		1-5 Years		5-10 Years		Total
$	2.0	$	5.6	$	.9	$	8.5

Nicor’s investments also include certain restricted investments, including certificates of deposit and bank accounts, maintained to fulfill statutory or contractual requirements.  These investments totaled $2.4 million, $2.0 million and $4.3 million at June 30, 2011, December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, respectively.  In addition, at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the company held a $2.4 million investment in a port facility development venture carried at cost.

There were no significant gains or losses included in earnings resulting from the sale of investments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.