2.  Effect of New Accounting Standards

 

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2012-02, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment” (ASU 2012-02). ASU 2012-02 provides companies with the option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If the company concludes that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired, it is required to determine the fair value of the intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying value in accordance with Topic 350. If the company concludes otherwise, no further quantitative assessment is required. ASU 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, although early adoption is permitted. We intend to early adopt ASU 2012-02 beginning with our annual indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year 2012.  We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.