12. Fair Value Measurement

We follow the provisions of ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic, or ASC 820-10, for our financial assets and liabilities. ASC 820-10 provides a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. ASC 820-10 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820-10 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

Financial assets and liabilities recorded on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that we have the ability to access at the measurement date (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, listed derivatives, and most U.S. Government and agency securities).

Our cash and cash equivalents, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, totaled $48.9 million and $61.5 million as of April 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We utilized Level 1 of the value hierarchy to determine the fair values of these assets.

Level 2 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets in which trading occurs infrequently or whose values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets. Level 2 inputs include the following:

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quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (such as corporate and municipal bonds which trade infrequently);

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inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (such as interest rate and currency swaps); and

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inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (such as certain securities and derivatives).

The carrying value of our Term Loan approximated the fair value as of April 30, 2018, in considering Level 2 inputs within the hierarchy. The carrying value of our 2020 Senior Notes as of April 30, 2018 approximated the fair value in considering Level 2 inputs within the hierarchy as our 2020 Senior Notes are not frequently traded. The fair value of our interest rate swap was estimated by a third party using inputs that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data, such as interest rate yield curves, and, therefore, are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. For more information regarding the interest rate swap, refer to Note 5 — Notes and Loans Payable and Financing Arrangements to our consolidated financial statements.

Level 3 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect our assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The acquisition-related contingent consideration liability represents the estimated fair value of additional future earn-outs payable for acquisitions of businesses that included earn-out clauses. The valuation of the contingent consideration will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and is based on management estimates and entity-specific assumptions which are considered Level 3 inputs.

In connection with the purchase of UST, up to an additional $2.0 million may be paid over a period of two years, contingent upon the financial performance of the acquired business. The valuation of this contingent consideration liability was established in accordance with ASC 805 — Business Combinations. The initial fair value of this contingent consideration liability was $1.7 million. Based on the current forecasted revenue, during the year ended April 30, 2018, we recorded a $1.6 million reduction in the fair value of this contingent consideration liability because we do not expect that the acquired business will achieve the performance metrics. This reduction was recorded in other income on the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of April 30, 2018, the fair value of this contingent liability was $60,000, which was recorded as a non-current liability.

In connection with the Gemtech acquisition, up to a maximum of $17.1 million may be paid contingent upon the cumulative three year sales volume of the acquired business. The valuation of this contingent consideration liability was established in accordance with ASC 805 — Business Combinations. Based on current forecasted revenue, we believe it is unlikely that the acquired business will achieve the performance metrics. Therefore, as of April 30, 2018, the contingent liability was recorded at a fair value of $100,000 in non-current liabilities.