Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Fair Value Measurements

Note E – Fair Value Measurements

The Company has adopted ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. This standard defines fair value as the price received to transfer an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value by creating a hierarchy of valuation inputs used to measure fair value, and although it does not require additional fair value measurements, it applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.

The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels:

Level 1 inputs — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. An active market for the asset or liability is one in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide ongoing pricing information.

Level 2 inputs — inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include, but are not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rate curves and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, credit risk and default rates.

Level 3 inputs — unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

Financial Assets & Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

	August 25, 2012
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Fair Value
Other current assets	$	22,515	$	—		$	—	$	22,515
Other long-term assets		40,424		13,275			—		53,699
	$	62,939	$	13,275		$	—	$	76,214
Accrued expenses and other	$	—	$	(4,915	)	$	—	$	(4,915	)

	August 27, 2011
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
Other current assets	$	11,872	$	—	$	—	$	11,872
Other long-term assets		55,390		5,869		—		61,259
	$	67,262	$	5,869	$	—	$	73,131

At August 25, 2012, the fair value measurement amounts for assets and liabilities recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet consisted of short-term marketable securities of $22.5 million, which are included within Other current assets; long-term marketable securities of $53.7 million, which are included in Other long-term assets; and cash flow hedging instruments of $4.9 million, which are included within Accrued expenses and other. The Company’s marketable securities are typically valued at the closing price in the principal active market as of the last business day of the quarter or through the use of other market inputs relating to the securities, including benchmark yields and reported trades. A discussion on how the Company’s cash flow hedges are valued is included in “Note H – Derivative Financial Instruments”, while the fair value of the Company’s pension plan assets are disclosed in “Note L – Pension and Savings Plans”.

Non-Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

Non-financial assets could be required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in certain circumstances, including the event of impairment. The assets could include assets acquired in an acquisition as well as property, plant and equipment that are determined to be impaired. During fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, the Company did not have any significant non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition.

Financial Instruments not Recognized at Fair Value

The Company has financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets and accounts payable. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate fair value because of their short maturities. The fair value of the Company’s debt is disclosed in “Note I – Financing”.