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Fair Value Measurements
3 Months Ended
Dec. 30, 2012
Fair Value Measurements  
Fair Value Measurements

10.                               Fair Value Measurements

 

Derivative Instruments.  In fiscal 2009, we entered into an intercompany promissory note with a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of Wardrop Engineering, Inc.  The intercompany note receivable is denominated in Canadian dollars (“CAD”) and has a fixed rate of interest payable in CAD.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, we entered into a forward contract for CAD $4.2 million (equivalent to U.S. $3.9 million at the date of inception) that matures on January 28, 2013.  In the third quarter of fiscal 2011, we entered into a forward contract for CAD $4.2 million (equivalent to U.S. $4.2 million at the date of inception) that matures on January 27, 2014.  Our objective is to eliminate variability of our cash flows on the amount of interest income we receive on the promissory note from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  These contracts were designated as cash flow hedges.  Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the contracts are recorded in “Other comprehensive income”.  The fair value and the change in the fair value were not material for the first quarters of fiscal 2013 and 2012.  No gains or losses were recognized in earnings as these contracts were deemed to be effective hedges.

 

Debt.  The fair value of long-term debt was determined using the present value of future cash flows based on the borrowing rates currently available for debt with similar terms and maturities (Level 2 measurement, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012).  The carrying value of our long-term debt approximates fair value at December 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012.