FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs, and Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant non-observable inputs. The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis using the fair value hierarchy at March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):



	Fair Value Measurements at
	March 31, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			Total
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	369,821	$	—		$	—		$	369,821
U.S. government and municipal obligations	14,513		27,673			—			42,186
Commercial paper	—		33,003			—			33,003
Corporate bonds	2,752		—			—			2,752
Derivative financial instruments	—		122			—			122
	$	387,086	$	60,798		$	—		$	447,884
LIABILITIES:
Contingent purchase consideration	$	—	$	—		$	(5,464	)	$	(5,464	)
Derivative financial instruments	—		(40		)	—			(40		)
	$	—	$	(40	)	$	(5,464	)	$	(5,504	)



	Fair Value Measurements at
	March 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3			Total
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	304,880	$	—		$	—		$	304,880
U.S. government and municipal obligations	40,628		80,273			—			120,901
Commercial paper	—		29,469			—			29,469
Corporate bonds	7,956		—			—			7,956
Certificate of deposits	—		1,499			—			1,499
Derivative financial instruments	—		110			—			110
	$	353,464	$	111,351		$	—		$	464,815
LIABILITIES:
Contingent purchase consideration	$	—	$	—		$	(5,449	)	$	(5,449	)
Derivative financial instruments	—		(213		)	—			(213		)
	$	—	$	(213	)	$	(5,449	)	$	(5,662	)

This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. On a recurring basis, the Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, including marketable securities and derivative financial instruments.

The Company’s Level 1 investments are classified as such because they are valued using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.

The Company’s Level 2 investments are classified as such because fair value is calculated using market observable data for similar but not identical instruments, or a discounted cash flow model using the contractual interest rate as compared to the underlying interest yield curve. The Company classifies municipal obligations as Level 2 because the fair values are determined using quoted prices from markets the Company considers to be inactive. Commercial paper is classified as Level 2 because the Company uses market information from similar but not identical instruments and discounted cash flow models based on interest rate yield curves to determine fair value. The Company's derivative financial instruments consist of forward foreign exchange contracts and are classified as Level 2 because the fair values of these derivatives are determined using models based on market observable inputs, including spot prices for foreign currencies and credit derivatives, as well as an interest rate factor.

The Company's Level 3 liabilities consist of contingent purchase consideration. The Company's contingent purchase consideration includes $523 thousand related to the acquisition of Efflux Systems, Inc. (Efflux) in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018. The contingent purchase consideration represents amounts deposited into an escrow account, which was established to cover damages NetScout might suffer related to any liabilities that NetScout did not agree to assume or as a result of the breach of representations and warranties of the seller as described in the merger agreement. The contingent purchase consideration is included as accrued other in the Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2018.

The Company's contingent purchase consideration at March 31, 2017 included $660 thousand related to the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Avvasi Inc. (Avvasi) in the second quarter of fiscal year 2017. The contingent purchase consideration represented amounts deposited into an escrow account, which was established to cover damages the Company suffers related to any liabilities that the Company did not agree to assume or as a result of the breach of representations and warranties of the seller as described in the merger agreement. The contingent purchase consideration was paid to the seller in August 2017.

The fair value of contingent purchase consideration related to the acquisition of Simena LLC (Simena) in November 2011 for future consideration to be paid to the former seller is $4.9 million and $4.8 million at March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The contingent purchase consideration is included as a contingent liability within accrued other in the Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2018 and as a long-term contingent liability at March 31, 2017.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial liabilities for the year ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands):



	Contingent Purchase Consideration
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	(5,449	)
Additions to Level 3	(523		)
Increase in fair value and accretion expense (included within research and development expense)	(152		)
Payments made	660
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	(5,464	)

Deal-related compensation expense and accretion charges related to the contingent purchase consideration for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 were $152 thousand and were included as part of earnings.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial liabilities for the year ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands):



	Contingent Purchase Consideration			Contingently Returnable Consideration
Balance at March 31, 2016	$	(7,293	)	$	16,131
Additions to Level 3	(660		)	—
Increase in fair value and accretion expense (included within research and development expense)	(153		)	—
Decrease in fair value	—			(610		)
Gross presentation of contingently returnable consideration to contingent purchase consideration	(3,910		)	3,910
Payments received	—			(19,431		)
Payments made	6,567			—
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	(5,449	)	$	—

Deal related compensation expense, accretion charges and changes related to settlements of contractual non-compliance liabilities for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 were $153 thousand and were included as part of earnings.