v2.3.0.11
Fair Value Measurements
6 Months Ended
Jun. 25, 2011
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Note 6.  Fair Value Measurements

ASC Topic 820 "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" ("ASC Topic 820") establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  ASC Topic 820 applies under other previously issued accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements but does not require any new fair value measurements.

ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs).

The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC Topic 820 are described as follows:
 
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Level 1- Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.

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Level 2- Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

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Level 3- Inputs that are unobservable for the asset or liability.

The following section describes the valuation methodologies that we used to measure different financial instruments at fair value.

Cash equivalents and trade receivables

Due to the short-term maturity of such investments, the carrying amounts are a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Long-term investments and notes receivable

There are no quoted market prices available for investments in unconsolidated affiliates and long-term notes receivable; however, we believe the carrying amounts are a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Auction-rate securities

As of June 25, 2011, we have approximately $12.9 million ($11.4 million net of temporary impairments) invested in auction-rate securities ("ARS"), consisting of investments backed by student loans that are backed by the federal government and investments in closed-end municipal bond funds, which are included as part of Investments and other within our consolidated balance sheets.  ARS are publicly issued securities that represent long-term investments, typically 10-30 years, in which interest rates had reset periodically (typically every 7, 28 or 35 days) through a "dutch auction" process.  Our ARS portfolio is comprised of investments that are rated AAA by major independent rating agencies.  Since the middle of February 2008, ARS auctions have failed to settle due to an excess number of sellers compared to buyers.  The failure of these auctions has resulted in our inability to liquidate our ARS in the near term.  We are currently not aware of any defaults or financial conditions that would negatively affect the issuers' ability to continue to pay interest and principal on our ARS.  We continue to earn and receive interest at contractually agreed upon rates.

During the six months ended June 25, 2011, we received approximately $2.2 million of redemptions of our ARS.  As of June 25, 2011, we have continued to classify our ARS as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy due to the lack of observable inputs and the absence of significant refinancing activity.

Based upon the information currently available and the use of a discounted cash flow model, including assumptions for estimated interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows and expected holding period for the ARS portfolio, in accordance with applicable authoritative guidance, our previously recorded cumulative temporary impairment at December 25, 2010 of $1.7 million related to our ARS decreased by $0.2 million during the six months ended June 25, 2011.  The temporary impairment has been recorded as part of Accumulated other comprehensive income within the equity section of our consolidated balance sheet.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

Financial liabilities with carrying values approximating fair value include accounts payable and other accrued liabilities.  The carrying value of these financial instruments approximates fair value due to their short maturities.

Debt

The fair value of our debt is estimated based on quoted market prices for our traded debt and on market prices of similar issues for our private debt.  The fair value of our debt as of June 25, 2011 and December 25, 2010 was estimated at $443.3 million and $441.3 million, respectively.

Derivative contracts

Derivative contracts are valued using quoted market prices and significant other observable and unobservable inputs.  We use derivative instruments to minimize our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.  Our derivative instruments primarily include interest rate caps related to our long-term floating rate debt and foreign currency forward agreements related to intercompany loans and certain forecasted inventory purchase commitments with suppliers.

The fair values for the majority of our foreign currency and interest rate derivative contracts are obtained by comparing our contract rate to a published forward price of the underlying market rates, which is based on market rates for comparable transactions and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

Some minority shareholders in certain of our subsidiaries have the right, at certain times, to require us to acquire their ownership interest in those entities at fair value based on third-party valuations.  The noncontrolling interests subject to put options are adjusted to their estimated redemption amounts each reporting period with a corresponding adjustment to Additional paid-in capital.  Future reductions in the carrying amounts are subject to a "floor" amount that is equal to the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests at the time they were originally recorded.  The recorded value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests cannot go below the floor level.  These adjustments will not impact the calculation of earnings per share.  The details of the changes in Redeemable noncontrolling interests are presented in Note 4.

The following table presents our assets and liabilities that are measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as of June 25, 2011 and December 25, 2010:
 
   
June 25, 2011
 
   
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
  
Total
 
              
Assets:
            
       Available-for-sale securities
 $-  $-  $11,405  $11,405 
       Derivative contracts
  -   1,463   -   1,463 
              Total assets
 $-  $1,463  $11,405  $12,868 
                  
                  
Liabilities:
                
       Derivative contracts
 $-  $1,057  $-  $1,057 
              Total liabilities
 $-  $1,057  $-  $1,057 
                  
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 $-  $-  $424,164  $424,164 
 
   
December 25, 2010
 
   
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
  
Total
 
              
Assets:
            
       Available-for-sale securities
 $-  $-  $13,367  $13,367 
       Derivative contracts
  -   1,213   -   1,213 
              Total assets
 $-  $1,213  $13,367  $14,580 
                  
                  
Liabilities:
                
       Derivative contracts
 $-  $2,771  $-  $2,771 
              Total liabilities
 $-  $2,771  $-  $2,771 
                  
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 $-  $-  $304,140  $304,140 
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3):
 
   
Level 3 (1)
 
Balance, December 25, 2010
 $317,507 
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interests
  120,024 
Redemptions at par
  (2,150)
Gain reported in accumulated other comprehensive income
  188 
Balance, June 25, 2011
 $435,569 
 
   
Level 3 (1)
 
Balance, December 26, 2009
 $199,164 
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interests
  162,529 
Redemptions at par
  (3,080)
Gain reported in accumulated other comprehensive income
  102 
Balance, June 26, 2010
 $358,715 
 
(1) 
Level 3 amounts consist of closed-end municipal bond funds, student loan backed auction-rate securities and redeemable noncontrolling interests.  See Note 4 for the components of the changes in Redeemable noncontrolling interests.