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Investments and Fair Value Measurements
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Investments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]  
Investments and Fair Value Measurements
4. Investments and Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining fair value, we consider the principal or most advantageous market, and we consider assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions, and risk of non-performance.

Our financial instruments are measured and recorded at fair value. Our non-financial assets, including property and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill, are measured at fair value upon acquisition, reviewed annually, and are fully assessed if there is an indicator of impairment. An adjustment would be made to the fair value of non-financial assets if an impairment charge is recognized.

Fair value is determined for assets and liabilities using a three-tiered hierarchy, based upon significant levels of inputs as follows:

-  
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

-  
Level 2 – Observable inputs, other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, 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 that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

The following tables summarize the composition of our investments at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Classification on Balance Sheet
 
March 31, 2013
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses)
 
Aggregate Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
Short-term available-for-sale securities
 
Long-term available-for-sale securities
 
Auction rate securities ("ARS"), greater than one year
 
$
1,000
 
 
$
(271
)
 
$
729
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
729
 
Money market funds, ninety days or less
 
 
55
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
55
 
 
 
55
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Municipal securities1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One year or less 2
 
 
39,900
 
 
 
61
 
 
 
39,961
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
39,961
 
 
 
-
 
After one year through three years
 
 
1,993
 
 
 
13
 
 
 
2,006
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
2,006
 
 
 
-
 
Greater than three years
 
 
5,664
 
 
 
3
 
 
 
5,667
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
5,667
 
 
 
-
 
Total
 
$
48,612
 
 
$
(194
)
 
$
48,418
 
 
$
55
 
 
$
47,634
 
 
$
729
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Classification on Balance Sheet
 
December 31, 2012
Amortized Cost
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses)
 
Aggregate Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
Short-term available-for-sale securities
 
Long-term available-for-sale securities
 
ARS, greater than one year
 
$
1,000
 
 
$
(277
)
 
$
723
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
723
 
Money market funds,  ninety days or less
 
 
1,150
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
1,150
 
 
 
1,150
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Municipal securities1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One year or less 2
 
 
26,885
 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
26,884
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
26,884
 
 
 
-
 
After one year through three years
 
 
1,345
 
 
 
7
 
 
 
1,352
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
1,352
 
 
 
-
 
Greater than three years
 
 
3,884
 
 
 
2
 
 
 
3,886
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
3,886
 
 
 
-
 
Total
 
$
34,264
 
 
$
(269
)
 
$
33,995
 
 
$
1,150
 
 
$
32,122
 
 
$
723
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
2Amounts include short-term municipal security funds that do not have a set maturity date. The aggregate fair value of short-term municipal securities was $39.2 million and $26.1 million as of March 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively.

The following table details the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
March 31, 2013
Fair Market Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARS
 
$
729
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
729
 
Money market funds
 
 
55
 
 
 
55
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Municipal securities1
 
 
47,634
 
 
 
47,634
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
 
401
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
401
 
 
 
-
 
Total financial assets
 
$
48,819
 
 
$
47,689
 
 
$
401
 
 
 
729
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
 
346
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
346
 
 
 
-
 
Total financial liabilities
 
$
346
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
346
 
 
$
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
December 31, 2012
Fair Market Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARS
 
$
723
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
723
 
Money market funds
 
 
1,150
 
 
 
1,150
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Municipal securities1
 
 
32,122
 
 
 
32,122
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
 
952
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
952
 
 
 
-
 
Total financial assets
 
$
34,947
 
 
$
33,272
 
 
$
952
 
 
$
723
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
 
115
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
115
 
 
 
-
 
Total financial liabilities
 
$
115
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
115
 
 
$
-
 
 
1At March 31, 2013, municipal securities consisted of a 83/11/6 percent split between holdings in short-term municipal security funds, municipal revenue bonds and municipal general obligation bonds, respectively. At December 31, 2012, municipal securities consisted of an 82/12/6 split between holdings in short-term municipal security funds, municipal revenue bonds and municipal general obligation bonds, respectively. The underlying credit rating of the municipal securities at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were A+, A1 or better as defined by S&P 500 and Moody's, respectively.

Money market funds and municipal securities are classified as Level 1 assets because market prices are readily available for these investments. Level 2 financial assets and liabilities represent the fair value of our foreign currency exchange contracts that were valued using pricing models that take into account the contract terms, as well as multiple inputs where applicable, such as equity prices, interest rate yield curve, option volatility and currency rates. Level 3 financial assets represent the fair value of our auction-rate securities ("ARS"), which were valued using a pricing model that takes into account the average life of the underlying collateral, the rate of return, and the spread used for similar issuances.

Fair value measurements on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs consist of one available-for-sale ARS. The following table presents a reconciliation for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, of available-for-sale ARS measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs (in thousands):

 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2013
 
 
2012
 
Beginning balance
 
$
723
 
 
$
700
 
Total realized / unrealized losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Included in OCI
 
 
6
 
 
 
3
 
Sales and settlements
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Ending balance
 
$
729
 
 
$
703
 
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we experienced one failed ARS auction, representing principal of $1.0 million. This ARS continues to be classified as a long-term asset due to the high probability that the ARS may fail in future auctions. The next scheduled auction for this ARS is March 6, 2014. We have determined that there is no other-than-temporary impairment on this security, since we do not intend and are not required to sell this security before we have recovered the amortized cost basis, there has been no further deterioration of the credit rating of this investment, interest payments at coupon rate continue to be received and we expect to recover the amortized cost basis of this security. We will continue to reassess liquidity in future reporting periods based on several factors, including the success or failure of future auctions, possible failure of the investment to be redeemed, deterioration of the credit rating of the investment, market risk and other factors.

In determining the fair value of bond and ARS investments, we consider the individual ratings of each holding. With regard to bonds, we consider the following: the underlying rating of the issuer irrespective of the insurance; the performance of the issuer; the term of the bond; and the quality of bond insurance provided by the rating of the bond insurer. With regard to valuation of our ARS, which is made up of student loans, we consider the underlying credit quality of comparable student loan portfolios and the average life of the underlying student loan assets and apply a discount related to the illiquidity of our ARS due to past failed auctions. Based on these inputs, we have applied a discount of 325-basis points to the London interbank offered rate resulting in a valuation of $0.7 million from a costs basis of $1.0 million as of March 31, 2013. At the reporting dates and in the future, we recognize that this investment is subject to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks, which have been exacerbated by the current global financial environment. The fair value of this investment accordingly will continue to change, and we will continue to evaluate its carrying value.

Unrealized gains or losses related to available-for-sale securities are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). When securities are sold and a realized gain or loss is recognized, the amount is reclassified from AOCI to the income statement. For the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no realized gains or losses recognized in the income statement for the sale of investments.

The following table summarizes the balances of AOCI and the gain recognized in other comprehensive income ("OCI") related to unrealized gains and losses for available-for-sale securities in the periods indicated (in thousands):

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Available-for-sale securities
 
2013
 
2012
 
Balance, January 1,
 
$
(180
)
 
$
135
 
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes
 
 
48
 
 
 
107
 
Balance, March 31,
 
$
(132
)
 
$
242