FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014



4.	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

The following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 (in thousands):



			Fair Value Measurements, Using
	Total carrying value as of September 30, 2014		Quoted prices in active markets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Cash equivalents	$	22,887	$	22,887	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments	230,968		230,968		—		—
Long-term investments	2,606		2,606		—		—

The following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):



			Fair Value Measurements, Using
	Total carrying value as of December 31, 2013		Quoted prices in active markets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Cash equivalents	$	7,600	$	7,600	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments	202,024		202,024		—		—
Long-term investments	7,417		3,117		—		4,300

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on management’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset's or liability’s classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company's convertible promissory note investments (see Note 3) are currently classified within investments on the consolidated balance sheet and the fair value is based on Level 3 inputs.

These convertible promissory note investments are inherently risky as the notes lack a ready market for resale and the note issuer's success is dependent on numerous factors, including, among others, product development, market acceptance, operational efficiency, the ability of the investee companies to raise additional funds in financial markets that can be volatile, and other key business factors. The Company determines the fair value of its convertible promissory note investments portfolio quarterly by performing certain quantitative and qualitative analyses of identified events or circumstances affecting the investee.

Changes in fair value of the investments are recorded as unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income. If a decline in fair value of a convertible promissory note investment below its carrying value is deemed to be other than temporary, the amortized cost basis of the Company’s investment will be written down by the amount of the other-than-temporary impairment with a resulting charge to net income. There were no other-than-temporary impairments of investments as of September 30, 2014.

The following table is a reconciliation of the changes in fair value of the Company’s investments in convertible notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, which had been classified in Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Fair value of notes, beginning of period	$	—	$	4,300
Repayment of notes	—		(4,300		)
Fair value of notes, end of period	$	—	$	—

- 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.

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