Marketable Securities

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Marketable Securities [Abstract]

Marketable Securities

Note 2 – Marketable Securities

Marketable debt and equity securities are categorized as trading securities and are thus marked to market and stated at fair value. Fair value is determined using the quoted closing or latest bid prices for Level 1 investments and market standard valuation methodologies for Level 2 investments. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined by specific identification and are recognized as incurred in the statements of operations. Net unrealized gains and losses are reported in the statements of operations in the current period and represent the change in the fair value of investment holdings during the period.

Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of financial instruments is presented based upon a hierarchy of levels that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The fair value of marketable equity securities, exchange traded funds and mutual funds are substantially based on quoted market prices (Level 1). Corporate and municipal bonds are valued using market standard valuation methodologies including: discounted cash flow methodologies, matrix pricing or other similar techniques. The inputs to these market standard valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to: interest rates, credit standing of the issuer or counterparty, industry sector of the issuer, coupon rate, call provisions, maturity, estimated duration and assumptions regarding liquidity and estimated future cash flows. In addition to bond characteristics, the valuation methodologies incorporate market data, such as actual trades completed, bids and actual dealer quotes, where such information is available. Accordingly, the estimated fair values are based on available market information and judgments about financial instruments (Level 2). Fair values of the Level 2 investments are provided by the Company’s professional investment management firm.

The following table sets forth, by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s assets measured at fair value as of March 31, 2013:

	Fair Value Measurements
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Equities	$	18,222,000	$	—	$	—	$	18,222,000
Mutual Funds		20,520,000						20,520,000
Exchange Traded Funds		4,833,000						4,833,000
Corporate Bonds		—		11,802,000				11,802,000
Municipal Bonds		—		23,568,000				23,568,000
Cash and Money Funds		2,416,000						2,416,000
Total	$	45,991,000	$	35,370,000	$	—	$	81,361,000

Net unrealized gains as of March 31, 2013 were $2,114,000. Estimated interest accrued on the corporate and municipal bond portfolio was $454,000 at March 31, 2013. There were no transfers of investments between Level 1 and Level 2 during the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

The following table sets forth, by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s assets measured at fair value as of September 30, 2012:

	Fair Value Measurements
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Equities	$	13,912,000	$	—	$	—	$	13,912,000
Mutual Funds		18,588,000		—		—		18,588,000
Corporate Bonds		—		14,178,000		—		14,178,000
Municipal Bonds		—		28,513,000		—		28,513,000
Government Securities		6,000,000		—		—		6,000,000
Cash and Money Funds		184,000		—		—		184,000
Total	$	38,684,000	$	42,691,000	$	—	$	81,375,000

Net unrealized gains as of September 30, 2012 were $807,000. Estimated interest accrued on the corporate and municipal bond portfolio was $545,000 at September 30, 2012. There were no transfers of investments between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended September 30, 2012.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items.