FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2012

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

NOTE 6—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting standards define fair value based on an exit price model, establish a framework for measuring fair value where the Company’s assets and liabilities are required to be carried at fair values and provide for certain disclosures related to the valuation methods used within a valuation hierarchy as established within the accounting standards. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, including interest rates, yield curves and credit risks, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on management’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There were no transfers among fair value hierarchies for any assets or liabilities during the current fiscal year.

A summary of the financial assets that are carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of August 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
August 31, 2012:
Cash and cash equivalents (1)	$	166,925		—		—
August 31, 2011:
Cash and cash equivalents (1)	$	230,606		—		—

(1) Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash in banks, commercial paper and overnight investments in highly rated financial institutions.

Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (e.g., when there is evidence of impairment). At August 31, 2012, no fair value adjustments or fair value measurements were required for non-financial assets or liabilities.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and debt. The fair values of short-term debt (classified as Level 2) as well as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.