INVESTMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Short-term investments

The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company’s short-term investments as of December 31, 2011 (in thousands): 

	Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Available for sale securities
Foreign government securities	$	1,073,731	$	588	$	(133	)	$	1,074,186
U.S. government securities	922,997		353		(28		)	923,322
U.S. agency securities	26,942		9		—			26,951
U.S. corporate notes	205		163		—			368
Total	$	2,023,875	$	1,113	$	(161	)	$	2,024,827

The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company’s short-term investments as of September 30, 2012 (in thousands): 

	Cost		Gross  Unrealized  Gains		Gross  Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Available for sale securities
Foreign government securities	$	1,762,837	$	16	$	(167	)	$	1,762,686
U.S. government securities	2,006,429		415		(3		)	2,006,841
Total	$	3,769,266	$	431	$	(170	)	$	3,769,527