Fair Value Measurements (Table)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

The following tables summarize, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020 and 2019. As required under authoritative accounting literature, assets and liabilities are categorized in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.



	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)⁽¹⁾		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral		September 30, 2020
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	80,678	$	—	$	—	$	80,678
Debt and equity securities
Registered investment companies	37,831		—		—		—		37,831
Bond mutual funds	29,166		—		—		—		29,166
Bonds⁽²⁾	—		32,900		—		—		32,900
Money market funds	—		4,055		—		—		4,055
Total debt and equity securities	66,997		36,955		—		—		103,952
Total assets	$	66,997	$	117,633	$	—	$	—	$	184,630
Liabilities:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	2,015	$	—	$	—	$	2,015



	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)⁽¹⁾		Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Netting and Cash Collateral		September 30, 2019
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	1,811	$	—	$	—	$	1,811
Debt and equity securities
Registered investment companies	41,406		—		—		—		41,406
Bond mutual funds	25,966		—		—		—		25,966
Bonds⁽²⁾	—		31,915		—		—		31,915
Money market funds	—		2,596		—		—		2,596
Total debt and equity securities	67,372		34,511		—		—		101,883
Total assets	$	67,372	$	36,322	$	—	$	—	$	103,694
Liabilities:
Financial instruments	$	—	$	5,801	$	—	$	—	$	5,801

(1)

Our Level 2 measurements consist of over-the-counter options and swaps, which are valued using a market-based approach in which observable market prices are adjusted for criteria specific to each instrument, such as the strike price, notional amount or basis differences, municipal and corporate bonds, which are valued based on the most recent available quoted market prices and money market funds which are valued at cost.

(2)

Our investments in bonds are considered available-for-sale debt securities in accordance with current accounting guidance

Other fair value measurements table

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of our long-term debt, excluding finances leases, debt issuance costs and original issue premium or discount, as of September 30, 2020:



	September 30, 2020
	(In thousands)
Carrying Amount	$	4,560,000
Fair Value	$	5,597,183