Investments in Marketable Securities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES [Abstract]

Marketable Securities [Text Block]

INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with the unrealized holding gains or losses, net of tax, included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are computed based upon specific identification and included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations.  Declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are recorded in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations and the cost basis of the security is reduced. The fair values for marketable equity securities are based on quoted market prices.  Held-to-maturity investments are stated at amortized cost which approximates fair value.  Interest income is accrued as earned.  Realized gains and losses on held-to-maturity investments are computed based upon specific identification and included in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.  The Company does not have any investments classified as trading.

Available-for-sale securities consist of assets in a rabbi trust associated with the Company’s deferred compensation plan.  As of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the carrying value of available-for-sale securities was approximately $124,000 and $147,000, respectively, and is included in short-term investments.  Available-for-sale securities at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 consisted of approximately $62,000 and $76,000, respectively, in money market accounts, and approximately $62,000 and $71,000, respectively, in mutual funds.  At June 30, 2011, there were no gross unrealized holding gains and $10,000 of gross unrealized holding losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income.  At December 31, 2010, accumulated other comprehensive income included gross unrealized holding gains of approximately $8,000 and no gross unrealized holding losses.  There were no gross realized gains or losses included in other income, net in the three- and six-month periods endedJune 30, 2011 and 2010.

The Company’s other marketable securities consist of investment grade debt instruments such as obligations of U.S. Treasury and U.S. Federal Government agencies.  These investments are categorized as held-to-maturity since the Company’s management has the ability and intent to hold these securities to maturity.  The Company’s held-to-maturity investments are carried at amortized cost which approximates fair value and are maintained in separate accounts to support the Company’s letters of credit.  The Company had standby letters of credit of approximately $5.0 million and $5.4 million at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, as collateral for its existing insurance policies and facility leases.

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, held-to-maturity investments included the following:

			Maturing						Maturing
	June 30, 2011		within 1 year		after 1 year through 3 years		December 31, 2010		within 1 year		after 1 year through 3 years
Cash/money accounts	$	65	$	65	$	—	$	80	$	80	$	—
US Treasury securities	4,032		—		4,032		4,093		—		4,093
Government agency securities	1,143		490		653		1,181		—		1,181
Total	$	5,240	$	555	$	4,686	$	5,354	$	80	5,274

At June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, held-to-maturity investments were recorded in the following accounts: 

	June 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
Other current assets	$	555	$	80
Other long-term assets	4,685		5,274
Total	$	5,240	$	5,354