Fair Value Measurements (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting rules for fair value clarify that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.  As a basis for considering such assumptions, the Company utilizes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1- Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

Level 2- Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3- Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Marketable Debt Instruments

Marketable debt instruments include instruments such as corporate bonds and debt, government agency bonds, bank deposits, municipal bonds, and money market fund deposits. When the Company uses observable market prices for identical securities that are traded in less active markets, the Company classifies its marketable debt instruments as Level 2. When observable market prices for identical securities are not available, the Company prices its marketable debt instruments using non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated with observable market data; quoted market prices for similar instruments; or pricing models, such as a discounted cash flow model, with all significant inputs derived from or corroborated with observable market data. Non-binding market consensus prices are based on the proprietary valuation models of pricing providers or brokers. These valuation models incorporate a number of inputs, including non-binding and binding broker quotes; observable market prices for identical or similar securities; and the internal assumptions of pricing providers or brokers that use observable market inputs and, to a lesser degree, unobservable market inputs. The Company corroborates non-binding market consensus prices with observable market data using statistical models when observable market data exists. The discounted cash flow model uses observable market inputs, such as LIBOR-based yield curves, currency spot and forward rates, and credit ratings.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2012 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for  Identical Instruments (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant  Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Balance
Assets
Money market fund deposits	$	137,836	$	—	$	—	$	137,836
Marketable equity securities	4,435		—		—		4,435
Corporate bonds and debt	—		725,686		5,681		731,367
Government agency bonds	—		480,505		—		480,505
Deposit accounts	—		298,899		—		298,899
Municipal bonds	—		20,068		—		20,068
Auction rate securities	—		—		34,302		34,302
Total assets measured at fair value	$	142,271	$	1,525,158	$	39,983	$	1,707,412
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—	$	16,632	$	16,632
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	—	$	—	$	16,632	$	16,632

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2012 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Balance
Money market fund deposits	$	232,219	$	—	$	—	$	232,219
Marketable equity securities	5,264		—		—		5,264
Corporate bonds and debt	—		769,479		4,625		774,104
Government agency bonds	—		342,104		—		342,104
Deposit accounts	—		403,536		—		403,536
Municipal bonds	—		20,122		—		20,122
Auction rate securities	—		—		10,246		10,246
Total assets measured at fair value	$	237,483	$	1,535,241	$	14,871	$	1,787,595

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three and six months ended September 30, 2012 or the year ended March 31, 2012.

The Company estimated the fair value of its ARS, which are classified as Level 3 securities, based on the following: (i) the underlying structure of each security; (ii) the present value of future principal and interest payments discounted at rates considered to reflect current market conditions; (iii) consideration of the probabilities of default, auction failure, or repurchase at par for each period; and (iv) estimates of the recovery rates in the event of default for each security.  The estimated fair values that are categorized as Level 3 as well as the marketable equity securities could change significantly based on future market conditions.

Level 3 liabilities include contingent consideration from the Company's acquisitions. The Company evaluates the estimated fair value of its contingent consideration on a quarterly basis and records fair value adjustments as necessary.

The following tables present a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding accrued interest components, using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended September 30, 2012, and the year ended March 31, 2012 (amounts in thousands):

Six months ended September 30, 2012	Auction Rate  Securities			Corporate Debt		Contingent Consideration		Total Losses
Balance at March 31, 2012	$	10,246		$	4,625	$	—	$	—
Total gains or losses (realized and unrealized):
Included in earnings	(334		)	—		—		(334		)
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net	—			1,056		—		—
Additions	24,390			—		16,632		—
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	34,302		$	5,681	$	16,632	$	(334	)

Year ended March 31, 2012	Auction Rate Securities			Corporate Debt		Total Gains
Balance at March 31, 2011	$	12,475		$	3,500	$	—
Total gains or losses (realized and unrealized):
Included in earnings	271			—		271
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net	(2,500		)	1,125		—
Balance at March 31, 2012	$	10,246		$	4,625	$	271

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are presented/classified on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2012 as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Quoted Prices  in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Balance
Cash and cash equivalents	$	137,836	$	298,899	$	—	$	436,735
Short-term investments	—		1,116,675		—		1,116,675
Long-term investments	4,435		109,584		39,983		154,002
Total assets measured at fair value	$	142,271	$	1,525,158	$	39,983	$	1,707,412

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are presented/classified in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2012 as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Instruments (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs  (Level 3)		Total Balance
Cash and cash equivalents	$	232,219	$	403,536	$	—	$	635,755
Short-term investments	782		822,472		—		823,254
Long-term investments	4,482		309,233		14,871		328,586
Total assets measured at fair value	$	237,483	$	1,535,241	$	14,871	$	1,787,595

Financial Assets Not Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Company's non-marketable equity and cost method investments are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  These investments are monitored on a quarterly basis for impairment charges.  The investments will only be recorded at fair value when an impairment charge is recognized.  During the three and six months ended September 30, 2012, there were no impairment charges recognized on these investments. These investments are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.  See further discussion of non-marketable investments in Note 7.