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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
(4) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
 
The following tables summarize our investment assets carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010:
 
      
Fair Value Measurements at July 31, 2011 Using
 
   
Total Carrying
Value at
  
Quoted price in active markets
  
Significant other observable
inputs
  
Significant unobservable inputs
 
   
July 31, 2011
  
(Level 1)
  
(Level 2)
  
(Level 3)
 
Investments:
            
Municipal Bonds
  23,298   -   23,298   - 
Commercial Paper
  5,974   -   5,974   - 
Corporate Bonds
  19,319   -   19,319   - 
Treasuries and Agencies
  2,000   -   2,000   - 
Total investments
 $50,591  $-  $50,591  $- 
 
 
      
Fair Value Measurements at October 31, 2010 Using
 
   
Total Carrying Value at
  
Quoted price in active markets
  
Significant other observable
inputs
  
Significant unobservable inputs
 
   
October 31, 2010
  
(Level 1)
  
(Level 2)
  
(Level 3)
 
Investments:
            
Municipal Bonds
  30,856   -   30,856   - 
Commercial Paper
  1,997   -   1,997   - 
Corporate Bonds
  15,119   -   15,119   - 
Treasuries and Agencies
  1,001   -   1,001   - 
Total investments
 $48,973  $-  $48,973  $- 
 
We utilize a pricing service to estimate fair value measurements for our short- and long-term investments. The pricing service utilizes market quotations for fixed maturity securities that have quoted prices in active markets. Since fixed maturities other than U.S. Treasury securities generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for these securities using its proprietary pricing applications which include available relevant market information, benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing.

The fair value estimates provided by the pricing service for our investments are based on observable market information rather than market quotes. Accordingly, the estimates of fair value for our investments were determined based on Level 2 inputs at July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010.