Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It also establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:


	Level 1 —		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 —		Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
	Level 3 —		Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

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. Cintas' assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

In order to meet the requirements of ASC 820, Cintas utilizes two basic valuation approaches to determine the fair value of its assets and liabilities required to be recorded on a recurring basis at fair value. The first approach is the cost approach. The cost approach is generally the value a market participant would expect to replace the respective asset or liability. The second approach is the market approach. The market approach looks at what a market participant would consider valuing an exact or similar asset or liability to that of Cintas, including those traded on exchanges.

All financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) have been segregated into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the consolidated balance sheet date. These financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:



(In thousands)			As of May 31, 2011

			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents		$	438,106	$	—	$	—	$	438,106
Marketable securities:
	Canadian treasury securities		61,142		26,078		—		87,220

Total assets at fair value		$	499,248	$	26,078	$	—	$	525,326

Current accrued liabilities		$	—	$	869	$	—	$	869

Total liabilities at fair value		$	—	$	869	$	—	$	869



(In thousands)			As of May 31, 2010

			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents		$	411,281	$	—	$	—	$	411,281
Marketable securities:
	U.S. municipal bonds		—		21,954		—		21,954
	Canadian treasury securities		97,791		35,061		—		132,852
Accounts receivable, net			—		450		—		450

Total assets at fair value		$	509,072	$	57,465	$	—	$	566,537

Current accrued liabilities		$	—	$	64	$	—	$	64

Total liabilities at fair value		$	—	$	64	$	—	$	64

Cintas' cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities are generally classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. The types of financial instruments based on quoted market prices in active markets include most bank deposits, money market securities and certain Canadian treasury securities. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Cintas does not adjust the quoted market price for such financial instruments.

The types of financial instruments valued based on quoted market prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include certain Canadian treasury securities (primarily agency debt obligations) and U.S. municipal bonds. The primary inputs to value Cintas' marketable securities is the respective instruments future cash flows based on its stated yield and the amount a market participant would pay for a similar instrument. The valuation technique used for Cintas' marketable securities classified within Level 2 of the fair market value hierarchy is primarily the market approach. Primarily all of Cintas' marketable securities are actively traded and the recorded fair value reflects current market conditions. However, due to the inherent volatility in the investment market, there is at least a possibility that recorded investment values may change in the near term.

The funds invested in Canadian marketable securities are not expected to be repatriated, but instead are expected to be invested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries. Interest, realized gains and losses and declines in value determined to be other than temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in interest income or expense. The cost of the securities sold is based on the specific identification method. The amortized cost basis of the marketable securities as of May 31, 2011 and 2010 is $87.3 million and $154.9 million, respectively. Purchases of marketable securities were $62.7 million, $64.4 million and $122.7 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. All contractual maturities are due within one year.

Accounts receivable, net and current accrued liabilities include foreign currency average rate options and forward contracts. The fair value of Cintas' foreign currency average rate options and forward contracts are based on similar exchange traded derivatives (market approach) and are, therefore, included within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The methods described above may produce a fair value that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while Cintas believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the consolidated balance sheet date.

Cintas' non-financial assets and liabilities not permitted or required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily relate to assets and liabilities acquired in a business acquisition. Cintas is required to provide additional disclosures about fair value measurements as part of the consolidated financial statements for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis (including business acquisitions). Based on the nature of Cintas' business acquisitions, which occur regularly throughout the fiscal year, the majority of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed consist of working capital, primarily valued using Level 2 inputs, property and equipment, also primarily valued using Level 2 inputs and goodwill and other identified intangible assets valued using Level 3 inputs. In general, non-recurring fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, which generally are not applicable to non-financial assets and liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable, such as definitive sales agreements, appraisals or established market values of comparable assets. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability, such as internal estimates of future cash flows.