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Fair Value Measurements
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] 
Fair Value Measurements
3. Fair Value Measurements

The Company measures certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of these financial assets was determined based on three levels of inputs, of which, the first two levels are considered observable and the last unobservable. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist solely of marketable securities. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the reported fair value of marketable securities, using Level 1 inputs, was $931,000 and $1.0 million, respectively. Marketable securities are included in other assets on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, all of the Company's debt was at a fixed rate and totaled $66.8 million and $101.4 million, respectively. The fair market value of long-term fixed interest rate debt is subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the fair market value of fixed interest rate debt will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The estimated fair value of the Company's long-term debt, using Level 2 inputs, at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $67.3 million and $104.2 million, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt is based on estimates made by investment bankers based on the fair value of the Company's fixed rate long-term debt. For fixed rate debt, interest rate changes do not impact financial position, operations or cash flows.