FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

NOTE 8 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

The estimated fair value of our available-for-sale securities is primarily based on market quotes. The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities, which excludes investments in limited partnerships carried at cost and assets held in a Non-qualified Supplemental Savings Plan:

	Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value

	(in thousands)
Equity Securities:
September 30, 2013	$	68,434	$	237,214	$	—	$	305,648
September 30, 2012	$	129,183	$	304,396	$	—	$	433,579

On an on-going basis, we evaluate the marketable equity securities to determine if a decline in fair value below cost is other-than-temporary. If a decline in fair value below cost is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis established. We review several factors to determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary. These factors include, but are not limited to, (i) the length of time a security is in an unrealized loss position, (ii) the extent to which fair value is less than cost, (iii) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and (iv) our intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The cost of securities used in determining realized gains and losses is based on the average cost basis of the security sold.

During the year ended September 30, 2013, marketable equity available-for-sale securities with a fair value at the date of sale of $214.1 million were sold. The gross realized gain on such sales of available-for-sale securities totaled $153.4 million. We had no sales of marketable equity available-for-sale securities in fiscal years 2012 and 2011.

During fiscal 2013, we sold our shares in three limited partnerships that were primarily invested in international equities and carried at a cost of $9.4 million, realizing a gain of $8.8 million that is included in gain from sale of investment securities in the Consolidated Statements of Income. During fiscal 2011, we sold our investment in a limited partnership that was carried at a cost of approximately $3.0 million and had a fair value of approximately $3.9 million at the date of the sale. A gross realized gain of approximately $0.9 million is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The investments in the limited partnerships carried at cost were approximately $9.4 million at September 30, 2012. The estimated fair value of the limited partnerships was $18.0 million at September 30, 2012. We no longer have any investments in limited partnerships.

The assets held in a Non-qualified Supplemental Savings Plan are carried at fair market value which totaled $10.5 million and $8.2 million at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The majority of cash equivalents are invested in highly-liquid money-market mutual funds invested primarily in direct or indirect obligations of the U.S. Government. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those investments.

The carrying value of other assets, accrued liabilities and other liabilities approximated fair value at September 30, 2013 and 2012.

ASC 820 defines fair value as "the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date." ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels as follows:

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Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

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Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

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Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and not corroborated by market data.

At September 30, 2013, our financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include cash equivalents, equity securities with active markets and money market funds we have elected to classify as restricted assets that are included in other current assets and other assets. Also included is cash denominated in a foreign currency we have elected to classify as restricted that is included in current assets of discontinued operations and limited to remaining liabilities of discontinued operations. For these items, quoted current market prices are readily available.

At September 30, 2013, Level 2 inputs include a bank certificate of deposit, which is included in current assets.

Currently, we do not have any financial instruments utilizing Level 3 inputs.

The following table summarizes our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis presented in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013:

	Total Measured at Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

	(in thousands)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	447,868	$	447,868	$	—	$	—
Investments		305,648		305,648		—		—
Other current assets		27,396		27,146		250		—
Other assets		2,000		2,000		—		—

Total assets measured at fair value	$	782,912	$	782,662	$	250	$	—

The following information presents the supplemental fair value information about long-term fixed-rate debt at September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.

	September 30,

	2013		2012
	(in millions)
Carrying value of long-term fixed-rate debt	$	195.0	$	235.0
Fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt	$	205.4	$	252.7

The fair value for fixed-rate debt was estimated using discounted cash flows at rates reflecting current interest rates at similar maturities plus credit spread which was estimated using the outstanding market information on debt instruments with a similar credit profile to us. The debt was valued using a Level 2 input.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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