Long-Term Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Long-Term Investments

4.  LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company held one auction rate security that had experienced failed auctions of $3,000,000 at par value, which was purchased through and is held by a broker-dealer affiliate of Bank of America, N.A. (the “Failed Auction Security”). The Failed Auction Security held by the Company is Aaa/AA+ rated by the major credit rating agencies, is collateralized by student loans, and is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education under the Federal Family Education Loan Program. Management is not aware of any reason to believe the issuer of the Failed Auction Security is presently at risk of default. The interest rate for the security is reset at regular intervals ranging from seven to 28 days. The auction rate security held by the Company traded at par prior to February 2008 and is callable at par at the option of the issuer. Through December 31, 2016, the Company has continued to receive interest payments on the Failed Auction Security in accordance with the terms of its indenture. Management believes the Company ultimately should be able to liquidate the Failed Auction Security without significant loss primarily due to the overall quality of the issue held and the collateral securing the substantial majority of the underlying obligation. However, current conditions in the auction rate securities market have led management to conclude the recovery period for the Failed Auction Security exceeds 12 months. As a result, the Company continued to classify the Failed Auction Security as long-term as of December 31, 2016.

The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities (in thousands):

December 31, 2016	Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value
Failed Auction Security	$	3,000	$	—	$	492	$	2,508
December 31, 2015	Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value
Failed Auction Security	$	3,000	$	—	$	474	$	2,526
Brokered certificates of deposit		340		—		—		340
	$	3,340	$	—	$	474	$	2,866

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Failed Auction Security had been in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities on December 31, 2016, by contractual maturities, are shown below (in thousands):

	Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Due in twenty to forty years	$	3,000	$	2,508

Based on the fair value measurements described in Note 5, the fair value of the Failed Auction Security on December 31, 2016, with a par value of $3,000,000, was estimated by the Company to be approximately $2,508,000. The gross unrealized loss of $492,000 on the Failed Auction Security consists of two types of estimated loss: an aggregate credit loss of $59,000 and an aggregate temporary impairment of $433,000. In determining the amount of credit loss, the Company compared the present value of cash flows expected to be collected to the amortized cost basis of the security, considering credit default risk probabilities and changes in credit ratings as significant inputs, among other factors (see Note 5).

The following table represents a rollforward of the activity related to the credit loss recognized in earnings on available-for-sale auction rate securities held by the Company for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):

	2016			2015			2014
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	72		$	84		$	395
Reductions in the amount related to credit gain for which other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized		(13	)		(12	)		(39	)
Reductions for securities sold during the period		—			—			(272	)
Balance at the end of the period	$	59		$	72		$	84

At this time, the Company has no intent to sell the Failed Auction Security and does not believe it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security. If current market conditions deteriorate further, the Company may be required to record additional unrealized losses. If the credit rating of the security deteriorates, the Company may be required to adjust the carrying value of the investment through impairment charges recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, and any such impairment adjustments may be material.

Based on the Company’s ability to access cash and cash equivalents and its expected operating cash flows, management does not anticipate the current lack of liquidity associated with the Failed Auction Security held will affect the Company’s ability to execute its current operating plan.