FAIR VALUE AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

FAIR VALUE AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

FAIR VALUE AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

NOTE 8.  FAIR VALUE AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value

The inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value are classified into the following categories:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities.

Level 3 – Inputs for which significant valuation assumptions are unobservable in a market and therefore value is based on the best available data, some of which is internally developed and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require.

The following table presents the carrying amount, fair values and classification of our financial instruments measured on a recurring basis:

	March 31, 2012
	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	22,206		$	22,206	$	-		$	-
Restricted cash	4,634			4,634		-			-
Notes payable to bank	18,853			-		18,853			-
Variable interest rate debt	9,090			-		9,090			-
Foreign currency forward contracts, net	(163		)	-		(163		)	-

	December 31, 2011
	Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,736		$	21,736	$	-		$	-
Restricted cash	4,575			4,575		-			-
Notes payable to bank	12,969			-		12,969			-
Variable interest rate debt	8,568			-		8,568			-
Foreign currency forward contracts, net	(1,053		)	-		(1,053		)	-

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are based on the fair values of identical assets in active markets.  The fair value of notes payable to bank and variable interest rate debt are based on the present value of expected future cash flows. Due to the short period to maturity or the nature of the underlying liability, the fair value of notes payable to bank and variable interest rate debt approximates their respective carrying amounts. The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is measured using internal models based on observable market inputs such as spot and forward rates.

Derivative Instruments

We utilize foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies as well as on forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currencies. These contracts are considered derivative instruments and are recognized as either assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. For contracts that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the gain or loss on the contracts is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) into “Other expense” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations when the hedged transaction affects earnings.  As of March 31, 2012, we do not expect material amount of the gain or loss will be reclassified from AOCI into other income or expense in the next 12 months.  For contracts that are not designated as hedges, the gain and loss on the contract is recognized in current earnings as “Other expense” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the notional amounts of the derivative financial instruments not qualifying or otherwise designated as hedges were $36.1 million and $47.6 million, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, we recorded a gain of $0.2 million and a loss of $0.4 million, respectively, related to this type of derivative financial instruments. The gains and losses were recorded in the “Other expense” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Derivative financial instruments qualifying and designated as hedges are as follows:

	March 31, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Notional Amount		Unrealized Loss		Notional Amount		Unrealized Loss
	(in thousands)
Foreign currency forwards	$	38,035	$	2	$	48,802	$	1,017

The following table presents the fair value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets of the foreign currency forward contracts:

	March 31,			December 31,
	2012			2011
	(in thousands)
Foreign currency forwards designated as hedges:
Other current assets	$	327		$	334
Accrued expenses	(329		)	(1,351		)
Foreign currency forwards not designated as hedges:
Other current assets	9			315
Accrued expenses	(170		)	(351		)
Foreign currency forwards, net	$	(163	)	$	(1,053	)