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Fair Value Measurements | 6 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] |
Fair Value Measurements | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Universal measures certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value based on applicable accounting guidance. The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value include money market funds, trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans, interest rate swap agreements, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers. The application of the fair value guidance to nonfinancial assets and liabilities primarily includes assessments of goodwill and long-lived assets for potential impairment. Under the accounting guidance, fair value is defined 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. The framework for measuring fair value under the guidance is based on a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between observable inputs (i.e., inputs that are based on market data obtained from independent sources) and unobservable inputs (i.e., inputs that require the Company to make its own assumptions about market participant assumptions because little or no market data exists). There are three levels within the fair value hierarchy:
Level |  | Description
1 |  | quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the reporting date;
2 |  | quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
3 |  | unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
In measuring the fair value of liabilities, the Company considers the risk of non-performance in determining fair value. At September 30, 2012, September 30, 2011 and March 31, 2012, the Company had certain financial assets and financial liabilities that were required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are listed in the tables below and are classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy:
|  | September 30, 2012
(in thousands of dollars) |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Money market funds |  | $ | 1,525 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,525 |
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans |  | 18,881 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 18,881 |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts |  | — |  |  | 230 |  |  | — |  |  | 230 |
Total assets |  | $ | 20,406 |  |  | $ | 230 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 20,636 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,327 |  |  | $ | 2,327 |
Interest rate swap agreements |  | — |  |  | 2,117 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,117 |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts |  | — |  |  | 43 |  |  | — |  |  | 43 |
Total liabilities |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,160 |  |  | $ | 2,327 |  |  | $ | 4,487 |
|  | September 30, 2011
(in thousands of dollars) |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Money market funds |  | $ | 1,523 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,523 |
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans |  | 17,192 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 17,192 |
Interest rate swap agreements |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts |  | — |  |  | 13 |  |  | — |  |  | 13 |
Total assets |  | $ | 18,715 |  |  | $ | 13 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 18,728 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 13,236 |  |  | $ | 13,236 |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts |  | — |  |  | 930 |  |  | — |  |  | 930 |
Total liabilities |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 930 |  |  | $ | 13,236 |  |  | $ | 14,166 |
|  | March 31, 2012
(in thousands of dollars) |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Money market funds |  | $ | 48,546 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 48,546 |
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans |  | 19,803 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 19,803 |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts |  | — |  |  | 356 |  |  | — |  |  | 356 |
Total assets |  | $ | 68,349 |  |  | $ | 356 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 68,705 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 5,932 |  |  | $ | 5,932 |
Interest rate swap agreements |  | — |  |  | 1,119 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,119 |
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts |  | — |  |  | 1,352 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,352 |
Total liabilities |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,471 |  |  | $ | 5,932 |  |  | $ | 8,403 |
Money market funds The fair value of money market funds, which are reported in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets, is based on quoted market prices (Level 1). The fair values of these investments approximate cost due to the short-term maturities and the high credit quality of the issuers of the underlying securities. Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans Trading securities represent mutual fund investments that are matched to employee deferred compensation obligations. These investments are bought and sold as employees defer compensation, receive distributions, or make changes in the funds underlying their accounts. Quoted market prices (Level 1) are used to determine the fair values of the mutual funds. Interest rate swap agreements The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts The fair values of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are also determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, forward foreign currency exchange contracts are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers The Company guarantees bank loans to tobacco growers in Brazil for crop financing and construction of curing barns or other tobacco producing assets. In the event that the farmers default on their payments to the banks, the Company would be required to perform under the guarantees. The Company regularly evaluates the likelihood of farmer defaults based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value of its guarantees as an obligation in its consolidated financial statements. The fair value of the guarantees is determined using the expected loss data for all loans outstanding at each measurement date. The present value of the cash flows associated with the estimated losses is then calculated at a risk-adjusted interest rate (4.8% as of September 30, 2012 and 7.6% as of September 30, 2011) that is aligned with the expected duration of the liability and includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. This approach is sometimes referred to as the “contingent claims valuation method.” Although historical loss data is an observable input, significant judgment is required in applying this information to the portfolio of guaranteed loans outstanding at each measurement date and in selecting a risk-adjusted interest rate. Significant increases or decreases in the risk-adjusted interest rate may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. The guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers are therefore classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. A reconciliation of the change in the balance of the financial liability for guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers (Level 3) for the six months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 is provided below. A significant number of the loans in the portfolio reached their maturity dates during fiscal year 2012. The Company satisfied its obligations under the related guarantees by remitting payment to the banks and taking title to the loans, thereby reducing the guarantee liability.
|  | Six Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands of dollars) |  | 2012 |  | 2011
Balance at beginning of year |  | $ | 5,932 |  |  | $ | 20,699 |
Transfer to allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (removal of prior crop year and other loans from portfolio) |  | (5,651 | ) |  | (8,979 | )
Transfer from allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (addition of current crop year loans) |  | 2,197 |  |  | 2,556 |
Change in discount rate and estimated collection period |  | 37 |  |  | 615 |
Currency remeasurement |  | (188 | ) |  | (1,655 | )
Balance at end of period |  | $ | 2,327 |  |  | $ | 13,236 |
Universal has not elected to report at fair value any financial instruments or any other assets or liabilities that are not required to be reported at fair value under current accounting guidance. Long-term Obligations The fair value of the Company’s long-term obligations, including the current portion, was approximately $412 million at September 30, 2012, $324 million at September 30, 2011, and $428 million at March 31, 2012. The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term obligations using Level 2 inputs which are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt of similar terms and maturities.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19296-110258 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 159 -Paragraph 17-22, 27, 28 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 15C, 15D -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 16 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13504-108611 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph a-d -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 21 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13537-108611 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44A, 44B -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258 Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 30 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612 Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 3, 10, 14, 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 15B -Subparagraph a, b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32, 33, 34 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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