STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

10. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

On August 13, 2012, our Board authorized a new share repurchase plan which authorized share repurchases up to 500,000 shares commencing on September 16, 2012, through September 15, 2013. The purchases may be made from time to time in the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to availability. Any repurchased shares will have the status of treasury shares and may be used, when needed, for general corporate purposes.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2012, we repurchased 19,423 shares of our outstanding common stock at an average cost of $29.46 per share for a total purchase price of $572 thousand. Since the inception of our initial repurchase program on September 20, 2001 to December 31, 2012, we have repurchased 4.7 million shares of our outstanding common stock at an average cost of $13.94 per share for a total purchase price of $65.3 million.

On December 4, 2012, our Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend on our common stock of $2.50 per share, which was paid to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 17, 2012.The dividend was paid on December 26, 2012.