Note 8 - Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2022

Notes to Financial Statements

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

In determining fair value, the Company uses quoted market prices in active markets. GAAP establishes a fair value measurement framework, provides a single definition of fair value, and requires expanded disclosure summarizing fair value measurements. GAAP emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

GAAP establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable input be used when available. Observable inputs are based on data obtained from sources independent of the Company that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the company’s assumptions about the estimates market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. 

The hierarchy is measured in three levels based on the reliability of inputs:

• Level 1

Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 instruments.

• Level 2

Valuations based on quoted prices in less active, dealer or broker markets.  Fair values are primarily obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

• Level 3

Valuations derived from other valuation methodologies, including pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market, exchange, dealer, or broker-traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections that are not observable in the market and significant professional judgment is needed in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities.

In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

The fair value of equity method and some of our cost method investments has not been determined as it was impracticable to do so due to the fact that the investee companies are relatively small, early stage private companies for which there is no comparable valuation data available without unreasonable time and expense. The fair value of certain cost method investments was determined using Level 3 inputs.

The following tables present the fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value:

	September 30, 2022
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
Cash equivalents
Money market funds	$	23,980,000	$	−	$	−	$	23,980,000
Marketable securities
Corporate debt securities		983,000		−		−		983,000
Total assets	$	24,963,000	$	−	$	−	$	24,963,000

The Company classifies money market funds, commercial paper, U.S. government securities, asset-backed securities and corporate securities within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because the Company values these investments using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs.

There were no transfers of financial instruments between the fair value hierarchy levels during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. The Company had no marketable securities presented at fair value prior to the three month period ended September 30, 2022.