Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Share Repurchases [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Equity

In September, 2001, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a program to repurchase the Company’s common stock in open market or negotiated transactions using available cash, cash equivalents and investments.   As of December 31, 2011 there were approximately 2.2 million shares remaining authorized for repurchase under a repurchase program. During February 2012, the Board of Directors increased the shares authorized for repurchase from the amount available to repurchase by approximately 2.8 million shares. There were no shares repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2012. As of March 31, 2012 the total shares authorized for repurchase is 5.0 million shares and does not have an expiration date. The specific timing and amount of repurchases will be determined by market conditions, cash flow requirements, securities law limitations, and other factors. Repurchases will continue from time time, as conditions permit, until the number of shares authorized to be repurchased have been bought, or until the authorization to repurchase is terminated, whichever occurs first. The share repurchase authorization is discretionary and has no expiration date. The repurchase program may be suspended, modified, or discontinued at any time.

During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors declared regular quarterly dividends totaling $1.7 million and $1.8 million.  The dividends were paid subsequent to the quarter end for both respective periods. Future payment of cash dividends and the amount of such dividends will depend upon financial conditions, results of operations, cash requirements, tax treatment, and certain corporate law requirements, as well as factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.