Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal market or, if none exists, the most advantageous market, for the specific asset or liability at the measurement date (referred to as the “exit price”).  The fair value should be based on assumptions that market participants would use, including a consideration of nonperformance risk.

We assess the inputs used to measure fair value using the three-tier hierarchy.  The hierarchy indicates the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market.

Level 1 Inputs include unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we can access at the measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices from identical or similar assets in inactive markets and observable inputs such as interest rates and yield curves.

Level 3 Inputs that are significant to the measurement that are not observable in the market and include management's judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

Our fair value processes include controls that are designed to ensure that fair values are appropriate.  Such controls include model validation, review of key model inputs, analysis of period-over-period fluctuations and reviews by senior management.

Valuation Methodologies

Money Market Securities.  Money market securities are cash equivalents, which are included in cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash from collections on auto loan receivables or other assets.  They consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  We use quoted market prices for identical assets to measure fair value.  Therefore, all money market securities are classified as Level 1.

Mutual Fund Investments.  Mutual fund investments consist of publicly traded mutual funds that primarily include diversified investments in large-, mid- and small-cap domestic and international companies.  The investments, which are included in other assets, are held in a rabbi trust established to fund informally our executive deferred compensation plan.  We use quoted active market prices for identical assets to measure fair value.  Therefore, all mutual fund investments are classified as Level 1.

Derivative Instruments.  The fair values of our derivative instruments are included in either other current assets or accounts payable.  As described in Note 5, as part of our risk management strategy, we utilize derivative instruments to manage differences in the amount of our known or expected cash receipts and our known or expected cash payments principally related to the funding of our auto loan receivables as well as to manage exposure to variable interest rates on our term loan.  Our derivatives are not exchange-traded and are over-the-counter customized derivative instruments.  All of our derivative exposures are with highly rated bank counterparties.

We measure derivative fair values assuming that the unit of account is an individual derivative instrument and that derivatives are sold or transferred on a stand-alone basis.  We estimate the fair value of our derivatives using quotes determined by the derivative counterparties and third-party valuation services.  Quotes from third-party valuation services and quotes received from bank counterparties project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based expectations for interest rates and the contractual terms of the derivative instruments.  The models do not require significant judgment and model inputs can typically be observed in a liquid market; however, because the models include inputs other than quoted prices in active markets, all derivatives are classified as Level 2.

Our derivative fair value measurements consider assumptions about counterparty and our own nonperformance risk.  We monitor counterparty and our own nonperformance risk and, in the event that we determine that a party is unlikely to perform under terms of the contract, we would adjust the derivative fair value to reflect the nonperformance risk.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

	As of November 30, 2015
(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Total
Assets:
Money market securities	$	410,777		$	—		$	410,777
Mutual fund investments	13,989			—			13,989
Derivative instruments	—			1,625			1,625
Total assets at fair value	$	424,766		$	1,625		$	426,391
Percent of total assets at fair value	99.6		%	0.4		%	100.0		%
Percent of total assets	3.0		%	—		%	3.0		%
Liabilities:
Derivative instruments	$	—		$	(1,632	)	$	(1,632	)
Total liabilities at fair value	$	—		$	(1,632	)	$	(1,632	)
Percent of total liabilities	—		%	—		%	—		%

	As of February 28, 2015
(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Total
Assets:
Money market securities	$	380,100		$	—		$	380,100
Mutual fund investments	9,242			—			9,242
Derivative instruments	—			1,201			1,201
Total assets at fair value	$	389,342		$	1,201		$	390,543
Percent of total assets at fair value	99.7		%	0.3		%	100.0		%
Percent of total assets	2.9		%	—		%	3.0		%
Liabilities:
Derivative instruments	$	—		$	(1,064	)	$	(1,064	)
Total liabilities at fair value	$	—		$	(1,064	)	$	(1,064	)
Percent of total liabilities	—		%	—		%	—		%

There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2015.