Fair Value Measurements And Marketable Securities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements And Marketable Securities [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements And Marketable Securities

Note B: Fair Value Measurements and Marketable Securities

The guidance for fair value measurements establishes the authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value and outlines the required disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use a three-tier fair value hierarchy based upon observable and non-observable inputs as follows:

• Level 1 – observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

• Level 2 – inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

• Level 3 – unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances in which the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.

Investments are comprised of high-grade municipal bonds, U.S. government securities and commercial paper and are classified as Level 1, as they trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.

The fair value of our available-for-sale securities by major security type were as follows (in thousands):

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
State and municipal bonds	$	1,548	$	866
Corporate obligations		1,263		1,227
	$	2,811	$	2,093

We evaluate impairment at each reporting period for securities where the fair value of the investment is less than its cost. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments were immaterial as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Classification of available-for-sale investments as current or noncurrent is dependent upon our intended holding period, the security's maturity date, or both. Contractual maturities were less than one year for all available-for-sale investments as of March 31, 2012. There were no available-for-sale investments with gross unrealized losses that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months as of March 31, 2012.

Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses related to sales of available-for-sale sales during the period ended March 31, 2012 were immaterial and included in other income (expense).

Nonfinancial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets are nonfinancial assets that were acquired either as part of a business combination, individually or with a group of other assets. These nonfinancial assets were initially, and have historically been, measured and recognized at amounts equal to the fair value determined as of the date of acquisition. Periodically, these nonfinancial assets are tested for impairment by comparing their respective carrying values to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit or asset group in which they reside.

Financial Instruments not Measured at Fair Value

Certain of our financial instruments are not measured at fair value and are recorded at carrying amounts approximating fair value, based on their short-term nature. These financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable.