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Income Taxes
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES

NOTE K – INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate was 31% and 35% for the three month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and 32% and 34% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the periods ended September 30, 2012 compared to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% is primarily due to increased earnings in jurisdictions with lower tax rates than the U.S. federal statutory rate where such earnings are permanently reinvested. The lower effective tax rate for the periods ended September 30, 2012 compared with the same periods for 2011 was primarily due to favorable discrete items related to 2011 but recognized in 2012.

The Company provides valuation allowances against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. No significant changes to the valuation allowance were reflected for the period ended September 30, 2012.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $1.3 million. Under the provisions of ASC 740 Income Taxes, the Company recognized previously unrecognized tax benefits of $.2 million primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitations. The Company recognized $.5 million of additional unrecognized tax benefit for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 due to a change in a tax position.