Short-Term Investments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

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):

	March 31, 2012							December 31, 2011
	Fair value		Amortized cost basis		Net unrealized loss			Fair value		Amortized cost basis		Net unrealized loss
Corporate notes, bonds and paper	$	16,530	$	16,531	$	(1	)	$	31,180	$	31,217	$	(33	)
Government securities		4,880		4,880		—			7,317		7,321		(2	)
Total	$	21,410	$	21,411	$	(1	)	$	38,497	$	38,538	$	(35	)

There was a de minimis amount of realized gains recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2012.