Short-Term Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Short-Term Investments [Abstract]

Short-Term Investments

7. Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments consist of U.S. government agency and government sponsored enterprise obligations. The Company accounts for these short-term investments as required by FASB ASC Topic No. 320, Investments-Debt and Equity Securities. These debt and equity securities are not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities. As such, they are classified as available-for-sale securities. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity until realized. Available-for-sale securities with contractual maturities of less than 12 months were as follows (in thousands):

	September 30, 2011							December 31, 2010
	Fair value		Amortized cost basis		Net unrealized gain (loss)			Fair value		Amortized cost basis		Net unrealized gain (loss)
Corporate notes, bonds and paper	$	27,677	$	27,737	$	(36	)	$	39,691	$	39,704	$	(8	)
Government securities		6,314		6,320		(4	)		15,003		15,007		(2	)
Total	$	33,991	$	34,057	$	(40	)	$	54,694	$	54,711	$	(10	)