CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS [Abstract]

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS

3. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company classifies its remaining investments as available-for-sale. These securities are carried at fair market value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in shareholders' equity. Gains or losses on securities sold are based on the specific identification method.

Investments at March 31, 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Amortized		Unrealized					Aggregate Fair
Investment Classification	Cost		Gains		(Losses)			Market Value
March 31, 2012 -
Certificates of deposit	$	6,612	$	-	$	(7	)	$	6,605
Commercial paper		2,993		1		-			2,994
Corporate bonds		182,575		24		(109	)		182,490
U.S. government bonds		3,213		-		-			3,213
	$	195,393	$	25	$	(116	)	$	195,302

Investments at December 31, 2011 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Amortized		Unrealized					Aggregate Fair
Investment Classification	Cost		Gains		(Losses)			Market Value
December 31, 2011 -
Certificates of deposit	$	5,797	$	-	$	(5	)	$	5,792
Corporate bonds		223,260		43		(25	)		223,278
U.S. government bonds		5,224		-		-			5,224
	$	234,281	$	43	$	(30	)	$	234,294

All short-term investments held at March 31, 2012 will mature within one year. All long-term investments held at March 31, 2012 will mature in more than one year.