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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2013
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]  
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
  11. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments and meet the Level 1 criteria of the three-tier fair value hierarchy discussed below. The carrying amount of short-term debt approximates fair value due to the variable rate of the interest and the short term nature of the instrument. Accordingly, the fair value is based on an internally developed model using current interest rate data for similar issues as there is no active markets for this type of facility and meets the Level 2 criteria of the three-tier fair value hierarchy discussed below.

 

Derivative instruments are reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements at fair value. We have derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign currency forward exchange contracts as described in Note 2. The U.S. Dollar equivalent notional amounts of these contracts were $102.4 million and $107.3 million at January 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, respectively. The fair value of Derivative assets recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $132,000 at January 31, 2013 and $708,000 at October 31, 2012. The fair value of Derivative liabilities recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $2.9 million at January 31, 2013 and $569,000 at October 31, 2012.

 

The fair value of our foreign currency forward exchange contracts and the related currency positions are subject to offsetting market risk resulting from foreign currency exchange rate volatility. The counterparty to the forward exchange contracts a substantial and creditworthy financial institution. We do not consider either the risk of counterparty non-performance or the economic consequences of counterparty non-performance as material risks.

 

FASB fair value guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which categorizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exist, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

In accordance with this guidance, the following table represents the fair value hierarchy for our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of January 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

    Assets     Liabilities  
    January 31,
2013		     October 31,
2012		     January 31,
2013		     October 31,
2012		  
                         
Level 1                                
Deferred Compensation   $ 926     $ 861     $ -     $ -  
                                 
Level 2                                
Derivatives   $ 132     $ 708     $ 2,883     $ 569  

 

Included in Level 1 assets are mutual fund investments under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. We estimate the fair value of these investments on a recurring basis using readily available market prices. Included as Level 2 fair value measurements are derivative assets and liabilities related to hedged and unhedged gains and losses on foreign currency forward exchange contracts entered into with a third party. We estimate the fair value of these derivatives on a recurring basis using foreign currency exchange rates obtained from active markets.