Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

7. Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. This standard discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The standard utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:

• Level 1:    Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2:    Inputs, other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

• Level 3:    Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions.

The following table summarizes the basis used to measure the Company's financial assets (liabilities) at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheet at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

	Basis of Fair Value Measurements
	Balance at December 31, 2011			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(In thousands)
Money market investments	$	11,899		$	11,899		—			—
Available for sale securities		2,785			2,785		—			—
Contingent consideration		(3,000	)		—		—		$	(3,000	)
	Balance at December 31, 2010			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(In thousands)
Money market investment	$	96,730		$	96,730		—			—
Interest rate agreements		(2,328	)		—		(2,328	)		—
Foreign currency contracts		176			—		176			—

There were no transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 in 2011 or 2010.

In determining the fair value of the Company's interest rate exchange agreement derivatives, the Company uses a present value of expected cash flows based on market observable interest rate yield curves commensurate with the term of each instrument and the credit default swap market to reflect the credit risk of either the Company or the counterparty.

In determining the fair value of the Company's contingent consideration, the Company uses a probability weighted estimate based on an independent appraisal, adjusted for the time value of money. The Company increased the fair value of the contingent consideration from $2.7 million at September 30, 2011 to $3.0 million at December 31, 2011 based on updated estimates.

The carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates their fair values because of the short term nature of these instruments. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of our Revolving Facility, 2.58% Senior Euro Notes, 4.5% Senior Notes and 4.2% Senior Notes, based on quoted market prices and current market rates for debt with similar credit risk and maturity, was approximately $810.8 million compared to the carrying value of $803.1 million.