Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price at which an asset could be exchanged in a current transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties. The fair value hierarchy of measurements is categorized into one of three levels based on the lowest level of significant input used:

Level 1 –	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities at the measurement date.
Level 2 –	Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 –	Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data available. These inputs reflect management’s assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Our hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:

	April 30, 2016
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	14,609	$	14,609	$	—	$	—
Deferred purchase price receivable	108,837		—		—		108,837
Derivative instruments	816		—		816		—
Total assets	$	124,262	$	14,609	$	816	$	108,837
Liabilities:
Derivative instruments	$	816	$	—	$	816	$	—

	April 25, 2015
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	90,569	$	90,569	$	—	$	—
Deferred purchase price receivable	89,588		—		—		89,588
Derivative instruments	1,255		—		1,255		—
Total assets	$	181,412	$	90,569	$	1,255	$	89,588
Liabilities:
Derivative instruments	$	1,255	$	—	$	1,255	$	—

Cash equivalents – We value cash equivalents at their current market rates. The carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value and maturities are less than three months.

Deferred purchase price receivable – We value the deferred purchase price receivable based on a discounted cash flow analysis using unobservable inputs, which include a forward yield curve, the estimated timing of payments and the credit quality of the underlying creditor. Significant changes in any of the significant unobservable inputs in isolation would not result in a materially different fair value estimate. The interrelationship between these inputs is insignificant.

Derivative instruments – Patterson’s derivative instruments consist of interest rate contracts and interest rate swaps. These instruments are valued using inputs such as interest rates and credit spreads.

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments under certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment. There were no fair value adjustments to such assets in fiscal years 2016, 2015 or 2014.

Our debt is not measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value of our debt as of April 30, 2016 and April 25, 2015 was $1,064,752 and $746,685, respectively, as compared to a carrying value of $1,038,655 and $722,542 at April 30, 2016 and April 25, 2015, respectively. The fair value of debt was measured using a discounted cash flow analysis based on expected market based yields (i.e. level 2 inputs).

The carrying amounts of receivables, net of allowances, accounts payable, and certain accrued and other current liabilities approximated fair value at April 30, 2016 and April 25, 2015.