Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations — Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of identification solutions and specialty products which identify and protect premises, products and people. Brady’s core capabilities in manufacturing, printing systems, precision engineering and materials expertise make it a leading supplier to the Maintenance, Repair and Operations (“MRO”) market and to the Original Equipment Manufacturing (“OEM”) market.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Brady Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Brady” or the “Company”), all of which are wholly-owned. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation — The Company has reclassified certain prior year financial statement amounts to conform to their current year presentation. The operating activities including “Other liabilities” and “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities,” which were previously disclosed as single line items, have been combined and reported as “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ending July 2010 and 2009. The financing activities including “Other” and “Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distribution,” which were previously disclosed as single line items, have been combined and reported as “Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distribution, and other” on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ending July 2010 and 2009. This reclassification had no effect on cash provided by operating activities, cash used in financing activities, total assets, net income, or earnings per share.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events — On September 9, 2011, the Company announced an increase in the annual dividend to shareholders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, from $0.72 to $0.74 per share. A quarterly dividend of $0.185 will be paid on October 31, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 10, 2011. This dividend represents an increase of 2.8% and is the 26th consecutive annual increase in dividends.

On September 9, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share buyback program for up to an additional 2 million shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. The share repurchase plan may be implemented from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with repurchased shares available for use in connection with the Company’s stock-based compensation plans and for other corporate purposes.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company believes the carrying amount of its financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable) is a reasonable estimate of the fair value of these instruments due to their short-term nature. The Company adopted guidance related to fair value measurements on August 1, 2008 as it relates to financial assets and liabilities. The Company adopted the new accounting guidance on fair value measurements for its nonfinancial assets and liabilities on August 1, 2009. See Note 5 for more information regarding the fair value of long-term debt and Note 10 for fair value measurements.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents, which are recorded at cost. The Company’s cash equivalents as of July 31, 2010, included variable rate demand note securities (“VRDN”) issued by various agencies that include a put feature to the original issuer or the issuer’s agent. The Company’s VRDN investments are generally federal tax-exempt instruments of high credit quality, secured by direct-pay letters of credit from major financial institutions. These investments have variable rates tied to short-term interest rates. Interest rates are reset weekly and these VRDN investments can be tendered for sale upon notice (generally no longer than seven days). Although the Company’s VRDN securities are issued and rated as long-term securities (with maturities through 2029), they are priced and traded as short-term investments.

The Company classified the variable rate demand note securities with put features, where the issuer holds the obligation, as cash equivalents. The investments are carried at cost or par value, which approximates the fair value. As of July 31, 2010, the recorded values of the VRDNs held by the Company were $66.1 million and there were no realized or unrealized gains or losses related to the Company’s securities. As of July 31, 2010, all VRDNs held by the Company were classified as “cash and cash equivalents” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company did not hold any VRDNs as of July 31, 2011.

Accounts Receivables

Accounts Receivables — Accounts receivables are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $6,183 and $7,137 as of July 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. No single customer comprises more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2011, 2010, or 2009, or 10% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable as of July 31, 2011 or 2010. Specific customer provisions are made when a review of significant outstanding amounts, utilizing information about customer creditworthiness and current economic trends, indicates that collection is doubtful. In addition, provisions are made for the remainder of accounts receivable at different rates, based upon the age of the receivable and the Company’s historical collection experience.

Inventories

Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost has been determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for certain domestic inventories (approximately 16% of total inventories at July 31, 2011 and approximately 20% of total inventories at July 31, 2010) and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods for other inventories. Had all domestic inventories been accounted for on a FIFO basis instead of on a LIFO basis, the carrying value would have increased by $9,168 and $9,178 on July 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Plant, Property, and Equipment

Plant, Property, and Equipment — Plant, property, and equipment are recorded at cost. The cost of buildings and improvements and machinery and equipment is being depreciated over their estimated useful lives using primarily the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. The estimated useful lives range from 3 to 33 years as shown below.

Asset Category	Range of Useful Lives
Buildings and improvements		10 to 33 Years
Computer systems	5 Years
Machinery and equipment		3 to 10 Years

Fully depreciated assets are retained in property and accumulated depreciation accounts until disposal. Upon disposal, assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the net amount, less proceeds from disposal, is charged or credited to operations. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective asset. Depreciation expense was $28,997, $31,560, and $32,023 for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets — The cost of intangible assets with determinable useful lives is amortized to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed on a straight-line basis, over the estimated periods benefited. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and goodwill are not subjected to amortization. These assets are assessed for impairment annually or more frequently as deemed necessary. Goodwill at July 31, 2011 and 2010 did not include any accumulated impairment losses.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

							Asia-
	Americas			Europe			Pacific		Total
Balance as of July 31, 2009	$	410,135		$	166,251		$	174,787	$	751,173
Current year acquisitions		13,370			6,896			—		20,266
Translation adjustments and other		1,513			(9,958	)		5,606		(2,839	)
Balance as of July 31, 2010	$	425,018		$	163,189		$	180,393	$	768,600
Current year acquisitions		—			—			4,792		4,792
Current year divestitures		(3,696	)		(8,380	)		—		(12,076	)
Translation adjustments and other		4,256			16,429			18,342		39,027
Balance as of July 31, 2011	$	425,578		$	171,238		$	203,527	$	800,343

Goodwill increased $31,743 during fiscal 2011 due to the net effects of foreign currency translation and recent acquisition activity, offset by recent divestitures. Of the $31,743 increase, $39,027 was due to the positive effects of foreign currency translation and $4,792 resulted from the acquisition of ID Warehouse during the second quarter of fiscal 2011. The increase was offset by a $12,076 decrease in goodwill as a result of the divestiture of the Company’s Teklynx business during the second quarter of fiscal 2011. See Note 2, “Acquisitions and Divestitures” for further discussion.

Goodwill increased $17,427 during fiscal 2010 due to the acquisition activity in the period offset by the net effects of foreign currency translation. Of the $17,427 increase in goodwill, $778 resulted from the acquisition of certain assets of Welco, a division of Welconstruct Group Limited (“Welco”) in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, $13,370 resulted from the acquisition of Stickolor Industria e Comerciao de Auto Adesivos Ltda. (“Stickolor”) in the second quarter of fiscal 2010, and $6,118 resulted from the acquisition of Securimed SAS (“Securimed”) in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The increase in goodwill was offset by the negative net effect of foreign currency translation of $2,839 during fiscal 2010.

Other intangible assets include patents, trademarks, customer relationships, non-compete agreements and other intangible assets with finite lives being amortized in accordance with accounting guidance for other intangible assets. The net book value of these assets was as follows:

	July 31, 2011									July 31, 2010
	Weighted									Weighted
	Average		Gross							Average		Gross
	Amortization		Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book		Amortization		Carrying		Accumulated			Net Book
	Period (Years)		Amount		Amortization			Value		Period (Years)		Amount		Amortization			Value
Amortized other intangible assets:
Patents		5	$	9,784	$	(8,556	)	$	1,228		5	$	9,314	$	(7,855	)	$	1,459
Trademarks and other		7		9,448		(6,599	)		2,849		7		8,823		(5,685	)		3,138
Customer relationships		7		165,566		(119,977	)		45,589		7		152,720		(95,996	)		56,724
Non-compete agreements and other		4		16,432		(15,760	)		672		4		15,239		(14,356	)		883
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Trademarks and tradenames		N/A		39,623		—			39,623		N/A		41,342		—			41,342
Total			$	240,853	$	(150,892	)	$	89,961			$	227,438	$	(123,892	)	$	103,546

The value of other intangible assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at July 31, 2011, differs from the value assigned to them in the allocation of purchase price due to the effect of fluctuations in the exchange rates used to translate financial statements into the United States dollar between the date of acquisition and July 31, 2011.

Amortization expense of intangible assets during fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $19,830, $21,462, and $22,828, respectively. The amortization over each of the next five fiscal years is projected to be $16,883, $11,029, $5,946, $5,540, and $4,353 for the years ending July 31, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Intangible Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Intangible Assets — The Company evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful life of long-lived and other finite-lived intangible assets may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of an asset may not be recoverable. The measurement of possible impairment is based on fair value of the assets generally estimated by the ability to recover the balance of assets from expected future operating cash flows on an undiscounted basis. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on the fair value of the asset.

Impairment of Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

Impairment of Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets— Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. Annual impairment tests are performed by the Company in the fourth quarter of each year.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company conducted a goodwill impairment assessment. The assessment included comparing the carrying amount of net assets, including goodwill, of each reporting unit to its respective fair value as of May 1, 2011, the Company’s assessment date. Fair value was determined using the weighted average of a discounted cash flow and market participant analysis for each reporting unit. The Company’s methodologies for valuing goodwill are applied consistently on a year-over-year basis. No indications of impairment have been identified between the date of the interim assessments and July 31, 2011.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company conducted an indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessment. The assessment included comparing the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the fair value of those assets as of May 1, 2011, the Company’s assessment date. Fair value was determined using a discounted revenue stream analysis for each indefinite-lived intangible based on a relief from royalty valuation methodology. The Company’s methodologies for valuing indefinite-lived intangible assets are applied consistently on a year-over-year basis. No indications of impairment have been identified between the date of the interim assessments and July 31, 2011.

Catalog Costs and Related Amortization

Catalog Costs and Related Amortization — The Company accumulates all direct costs incurred, net of vendor cooperative advertising payments, in the development, production, and circulation of its catalogs on its balance sheet until such time as the related catalog is mailed. The catalog costs are subsequently amortized into selling, general, and administrative expense over the expected sales realization cycle, which is one year or less. Consequently, any difference between the estimated and actual revenue stream for a particular catalog and the related impact on amortization expense is neutralized within a period of one year or less. The estimate of the expected sales realization cycle for a particular catalog is based on the Company’s historical sales experience with identical or similar catalogs, and an assessment of prevailing economic conditions and various competitive factors. The Company tracks subsequent sales realization, reassesses the marketplace, and compares its findings to the previous estimate, and adjusts the amortization of future catalogs, if necessary. At July 31, 2011 and 2010, $11,892 and $11,496, respectively, of prepaid catalog costs were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition — Revenue is recognized when it is both earned and realized or realizable. The Company’s policy is to recognize revenue when title to the product, ownership, and risk of loss have transferred to the customer, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, and collection of the sales proceeds is reasonably assured, all of which generally occur upon shipment of goods to customers. The majority of the Company’s revenue relates to the sale of inventory to customers, and revenue is recognized when title and the risks and rewards of ownership pass to the customer. Given the nature of the Company’s business and the applicable rules guiding revenue recognition, the Company’s revenue recognition practices do not contain estimates that materially affect the results of operations, with the exception of estimated returns and credit memos. The Company provides for an allowance for estimated product returns and credit memos which is recognized as a deduction from sales at the time of the sale. As of July 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had a reserve of $4,491 and $3,963, respectively.

Sales Incentives

Sales Incentives — The Company accounts for cash consideration (such as sales incentives and cash discounts) given to its customers or resellers as a reduction of revenue rather than an operating expense.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs —Amounts billed to a customer in a sale transaction related to shipping and handling fees are reported as net sales and the related costs incurred for shipping and handling are reported as cost of goods sold.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred, except catalog and mailer costs as outlined above. Advertising expense for the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were $79,326, $72,000, and $77,395, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation — The Company has an incentive stock plan under which the Board of Directors may grant nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to employees. Additionally, the Company has a nonqualified stock option plan for non-employee directors under which stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock are available for grant. The stock options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant and generally vest ratably over a three-year period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. Stock options issued under these plans, referred to herein as “service-based” stock options, generally expire 10 years from the date of grant. The Company also grants stock options to certain executives and key management employees that vest upon meeting certain financial performance conditions over the vesting schedule described above; these options are referred to herein as “performance-based” stock options. Performance-based stock options expire 10 years from the date of grant. Restricted shares have an issuance price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. The Company granted restricted shares in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2011 that have an issuance price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. The restricted shares granted in fiscal 2008 were amended in fiscal 2011 to allow for vesting after either a five-year period or a seven-year period based upon both performance and service conditions. The restricted shares granted in fiscal 2011 vest ratably at the end of years 3, 4 and 5 upon meeting certain performance and service conditions. The restricted shares granted in fiscal 2008 and 2011 are referred to herein as “performance-based restricted shares.”

As of July 31, 2011, the Company has reserved 5,799,017 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for outstanding stock options and restricted shares and 737,000 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for future issuance of stock options and restricted shares under the various plans. The Company uses treasury stock or will issue new Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to deliver shares under these plans.

The Company recognizes the compensation cost of all share-based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. Total stock compensation expense recognized by the Company during the years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $9,830 ($5,996 net of taxes), $9,721 ($5,930 net of taxes), and $7,731 ($4,716 net of taxes), respectively. As of July 31, 2011, total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation awards was $18,551 pre-tax, net of estimated forfeitures, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

The Company has estimated the fair value of its performance-based and service-based option awards granted after August 1, 2005 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model are reflected in the following table:

	2011						2010						2009
	Performance-						Performance-						Performance-
	Based			Service-Based			Based			Service-Based			Based		Service-Based
Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions	Options			Options			Options			Options			Options		Options
Expected term (in years)		6.57			5.91			6.57			5.94			N/A		5.96
Expected volatility		39.39	%		40.22	%		38.72	%		39.88	%		N/A		36.07	%
Expected dividend yield		1.96	%		1.94	%		3.02	%		3.01	%		N/A		2.03	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.35	%		1.65	%		3.03	%		2.63	%		N/A		1.75	%
Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date	$	28.43		$	29.13		$	28.73		$	28.68			N/A	$	21.26
Weighted-average exercise price	$	28.35		$	29.13		$	29.78		$	28.68			N/A	$	21.26
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$	9.87		$	9.59		$	8.70		$	8.77			N/A	$	6.30

The Company uses historical data regarding stock option exercise behaviors to estimate the expected term of options granted based on the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s historical dividend payments and historical yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the grant date for the length of time corresponding to the expected term of the option. The market value is calculated as the average of the high and the low stock price on the date of grant.

Effective July 20, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the fiscal 2008 performance-based restricted shares to provide for an additional two-year vesting period. These awards originally vested five years from the grant date upon meeting certain financial performance and service conditions. This modification resulted in a one-time cumulative reduction of $1.2 million to share-based compensation expense in order to align the expense recognition with the amended vesting terms. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the other three named executive officers currently have the following performance-based restricted shares affected by this amendment: Frank M. Jaehnert, 50,000 shares; Thomas J. Felmer, 35,000 shares; Peter C. Sephton, 35,000 shares; Matthew O. Williamson, 35,000 shares; and Robert L. Tatterson, 20,000 shares.

The Company granted 100,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock to Frank M. Jaehnert, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer in August of 2010, with a grant price and fair value of $28.35 per share. The Company also granted 210,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock during fiscal 2008, with a grant price and fair value of $32.83. As of July 31, 2011, 310,000 performance-based restricted shares were outstanding.

The Company granted 465,000 performance-based stock options during fiscal 2011, with a weighted average exercise price of $28.35 and a weighted average fair value of $9.87. The Company also granted 900,500 service-based stock options during fiscal 2011, with a weighted average exercise price of $29.13 and a weighted average fair value of $9.59.

Research and Development

Research and Development — Amounts expended for research and development are expensed as incurred.

Other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income — Other comprehensive income consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, net unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges and net investment hedges, and the unamortized gain on the post-retirement medical, dental and vision plans net of their related tax effects.

The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the periods presented.

				Amortization
				of gain on
				post-
	Unrealized			retirement			Foreign			Accumulated
	(loss) gain on			medical,			currency			other
	cash flow			dental and			translation			comprehensive
	hedges			vision plan			adjustments			income
Beginning balance, July 31, 2008	$	(971	)	$	2,493		$	126,639		$	128,161
Current-period change		918			(551	)		(75,477	)		(75,110	)
Ending balance, July 31, 2009	$	(53	)	$	1,942		$	51,162		$	53,051
Current-period change		(268	)		(585	)		(1,293	)		(2,146	)
Ending balance, July 31, 2010	$	(321	)	$	1,357		$	49,869		$	50.905
Current-period change		(833	)		831			62,995			62,993
Ending balance, July 31, 2011	$	(1,154	)	$	2,188		$	112,864		$	113,898

The increase in accumulated other comprehensive income for the year ended July 31, 2011 as compared to the years ended July 31, 2010 and 2009 was primarily due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against other currencies. The foreign currency translation adjustments line in the table above includes the impact of foreign currency translation in addition to the settlements of the net investment hedges, net of tax.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation — Foreign currency assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars at end of period rates of exchange, and income and expense accounts are translated at the weighted average rates of exchange for the period. Resulting translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense is the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if sustaining those positions is more likely than not. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which a change in judgment occurs.

Risk Management Activities

Risk Management Activities — The Company is exposed to market risk, such as changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

Foreign Currency Hedging

Foreign Currency Hedging —The objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management is to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions and minimize the foreign currency translation impact on the Company’s foreign operations. While the Company’s risk management objectives and strategies are driven from an economic perspective, the Company attempts, where possible and practical, to ensure that the hedging strategies it engages in qualify for hedge accounting and result in accounting treatment where the earnings effect of the hedging instrument provides substantial offset (in the same period) to the earnings effect of the hedged item. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to protect against exposure resulting from transactions in a currency differing from the respective functional currency.

The Company utilizes forward foreign exchange currency contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate at a future date, with maturities of less than 18 months. These instruments may or may not qualify as hedges under the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities based upon the intended objective of the contract. The fair value of these instruments at July 31, 2011 and 2010 was a liability of $6,109 and $673, respectively. As of July 31, 2011, the notional amount of these outstanding forward exchange contracts was $80.8 million. See Note 12 for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities.

The Company has designated a portion of its foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges and recorded these contracts at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For these instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. At July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, unrealized losses of $1,535 and $493 have been included in OCI, respectively. All balances are expected to be reclassified from OCI to earnings during the next fifteen months when the hedged transactions impact earnings.

The Company has designated a portion of its foreign exchange contracts as net investment hedges of the Company’s net investments in European foreign operations and recorded these contracts at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For net investment hedges that meet the effectiveness requirements, the net gains or losses attributable to changes in spot exchange rates are recorded in cumulative translation within other comprehensive income. Any ineffective portions are to be recognized in earnings. Recognition in earnings of amounts previously recorded in cumulative translation is limited to circumstances such as complete or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the hedged foreign operation. At July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, unrealized losses of $4,589 and unrealized gains of $6,248 have been included in OCI, respectively.

The Company also utilizes Euro-denominated debt designated as hedge instruments to hedge portions of the Company’s net investments in European foreign operations. As of July 31, 2011, the Company had €75.0 million foreign denominated debt outstanding designated as a net investment hedge of the Company’s net investment in its European foreign operations. See Note 12 for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. For net investment hedges that meet the effectiveness requirements, the net gains or losses attributable to changes in spot exchange rates are recorded in cumulative translation within other comprehensive income. Any ineffective portions are to be recognized in earnings. Recognition in earnings of amounts previously recorded in cumulative translation is limited to circumstances such as complete or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the hedged foreign operation. At July 31, 2011 and July 31, 2010, unrealized losses of $13,070 and $2,833 have been included in OCI, respectively.

The Company also enters into forward exchange contracts to create economic hedges to manage foreign exchange risk exposure. The fair value of these instruments at July 31, 2011 and 2010 was $1 and $40, respectively. The Company has not designated these derivative contracts as hedge transactions, and accordingly, the mark-to-market impact of these derivatives is recorded each period in current earnings.

Hedge effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge accounting is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis. Gains or losses on the derivative related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current earnings. The amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not significant for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009.

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards — In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended its authoritative guidance related to the presentation of comprehensive income, requiring entities to present items of net income and other comprehensive income either in one continuous statement or in two separate consecutive statements. This guidance becomes effective for the Company’s fiscal 2013 first quarter. The Company has evaluated the impact of adopting this guidance but believes that it will result only in changes in the presentation of its financial statements and will not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In May 2011, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to fair value measurements to provide a consistent definition and measurement of fair value, as well as similar disclosure requirements between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This guidance clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and expands the existing disclosure requirements. This guidance becomes effective for the Company’s fiscal 2012 third quarter. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows, but may require certain additional disclosures.

In December 2010, the FASB amended its authoritative guidance related to Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, consideration should be made as to whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. This guidance becomes effective for the Company in fiscal 2012. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.