Fair Value of Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, investments, accounts payable and borrowings. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Investment contracts are reported at fair values. Fair values for investments held at cost are not readily available, but are estimated to approximate fair value. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long term debt (including current maturities) was $2,299,567 which exceeded both the gross and carrying amounts of $2,208,050 and $2,187,595, respectively, as of March 31, 2012.

(18) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, investments, accounts payable, borrowings and derivative contracts. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Investments and derivative contracts are reported at fair values. Fair values for investments held at cost are not readily available, but are estimated to approximate fair value. The estimated fair value of the Company’s long term debt (including current maturities) was $2,265,451, which exceeded both the gross and carrying amounts of $2,191,201 and $2,158,528, respectively, as of December 31, 2011.