Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, the FASB established a three-level hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of fair value measurements are:

The inputs used in measuring the fair value of cash and cash equivalents are considered to be Level 1 in accordance with the three-tier fair value hierarchy. The fair market values are based on period-end statements supplied by the various banks and brokers that held the majority of the Company’s funds. The fair value of short-term financial instruments (primarily cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current assets and liabilities) approximate their carrying values because of their short-term nature.