Note 10 - Investments in Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 10 - Investments in Financial Instruments

Investments in marketable securities categorized as “available-for-sale” are stated at fair value. The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level 1 definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. As of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, an unrealized gain of $102,770,000 and $89,018,000, respectively, was recorded net of taxes of $40,164,000 and $34,610,000, respectively, in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions.

 Investments in equity securities and securities with fixed maturity as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013 are summarized below.

	December 31, 2013						September 30, 2013
	(Unaudited)
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized/Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
Marketable securities
Common stocks	$	143,278,000	$	43,042,000	$	100,235,000	$	129,699,000	$	43,042,000	$	86,657,000
Bonds		7,469,000		4,935,000		2,535,000		7,295,000		4,934,000		2,361,000
Total	$	150,747,000	$	47,977,000	$	102,770,000	$	136,994,000	$	47,976,000	$	89,018,000

All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time. The bonds mature in 2039.