Investments in Marketable Securities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES [Abstract]

Marketable Securities [Text Block]

3. 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 March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying value of available-for-sale securities was approximately $121,000 and $127,000, respectively, and is included in short-term investments.  Available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consisted of $59,000 and $65,000, respectively, in mutual funds, and approximately $62,000 in money market accounts.

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 $3.1 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, as collateral for its existing insurance policies and facility leases.

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, held-to-maturity investments included the following:

			Maturing						Maturing
	March 31, 2012		within 1 year		after 1 year through 3 years		December 31, 2011		within 1 year		after 1 year through 3 years
Cash/money accounts	$	146	$	146	$	—	$	111	$	111	$	—
US Treasury securities	4,253		1,321		2,932		4,293		1,323		2,970
Government agency securities	861		—		861		871		—		871
Total	$	5,260	$	1,467	$	3,793	$	5,275	$	1,434	$	3,841

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, held-to-maturity investments were recorded in the following accounts: 

	March 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
Other current assets	$	1,467	$	1,434
Other long-term assets	3,793		3,841
Total	$	5,260	$	5,275