FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

In accordance with the provisions of fair value accounting, a fair value measurement assumes that a transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability and defines fair value based upon an exit price model.

The fair value measurement guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:


Level 1		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset and liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 assets and liabilities include money market funds, debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market.

Level 2		Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes corporate obligations and non-exchange traded derivative contracts.

Level 3		Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments and intangible assets that have been impaired whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized as follows (in thousands):


	March 31, 2017
			Significant Other
	Quoted Prices in		Observable
	Active Markets		Inputs
Description	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		Total
Certificates of deposit	$	—	$	391	$	391
Money market funds	$	19,785	$	—	$	19,785
Short term investments	$	1,259	$	7,452	$	8,711
Commercial Paper	$	—	$	50,038	$	50,038
Total assets measured at fair value	$	21,044	$	57,881	$	78,925


	December 31, 2016
			Significant Other
	Quoted Prices in		Observable
	Active Markets		Inputs
Description	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		Total
Certificates of deposit	$	—	$	391	$	391
Money market funds	$	29,027	$	—	$	29,027
Short term investments	$	1,751	$	7,486	$	9,237
Commercial Paper	$	—	$	29,981	$	29,981
Total assets measured at fair value	$	30,778	$	37,858	$	68,636

Certificate of Deposit

As of March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, this asset class consisted of a time deposit at a financial institution denominated in U.S. dollars. The asset class is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because the fair value was based on observable market data.

Money Market Funds

As of March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, this asset class consisted of a money market portfolio that comprises Federal government and U.S. Treasury securities. The asset class is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because its underlying investments are valued using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.

Short Term Investments and Commercial Paper

As of March 31, 2017, this asset class consisted of short term foreign and U.S. corporate bonds and equity securities. Corporate bonds are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because the fair value is based on observable market data. Equity securities are classified within Level 1 because fair value is based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.

Other Fair Value Disclosures

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values because of the relatively short-term maturities of these financial instruments.

The fair value of marketable securities is estimated using Level 2 inputs. At March 31, 2017, the fair value of marketable securities approximated its carrying amount of $2.0 million and is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

The fair value of long-term debt is estimated using Level 2 inputs. At March 31, 2017, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was $155.6 million and its book value was $152.4 million. At December 31, 2016, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was $159.9 million and its book value was $156.8 million.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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