INVESTMENTS:
6 Months Ended
May 31, 2013
Investments [Abstract]  
Investments
INVESTMENTS: 
The carrying amount of the Company’s investments is shown in the table below: 
 
May 31, 2013
 
November 30, 2012
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Carrying
Value
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Carrying
Value
Short-term:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities
$
3,688

 
$
508

 
$
4,196

 
$
5,636

 
$
73

 
$
5,709

Available-for-sale securities

 
45

 
45

 

 
44

 
44

Held-to-maturity investments
8,557

 

 
8,557

 
8,297

 

 
8,297

Cost method securities
1,744

 

 
1,744

 
1,883

 

 
1,883

 
$
13,989

 
$
553

 
$
14,542

 
$
15,816

 
$
117

 
$
15,933

Long-term investments in other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
915

 
$
176

 
$
1,091

 
$
1,095

 
$
22

 
$
1,117

Cost-method investments
4,983

 

 
4,983

 
3,313

 

 
3,313

 
Short-term trading securities generally consist of equity securities relating to the Company’s deferred compensation plan. Short-term and long-term available-for-sale securities primarily consist of investments in other companies’ equity securities. Held-to-maturity investments primarily consist of term deposits with maturities from the date of purchase greater than three months and less than one year. These term deposits are held until the maturity date and are not traded. Short-term cost-method securities primarily consist of investments in a hedge fund and a private equity fund under the Company’s deferred compensation plan. Long-term cost-method investments consist of investments in equity securities of private entities.
Trading securities and available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value in each reporting period and therefore the carrying value of these securities equals their fair value. For cost-method securities, the Company records an impairment charge when the decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary. The fair value of the cost-method investments is based on (i) the published fund values, (ii) a valuation model developed internally based on the published value of the securities held by the fund or (iii) an internal valuation of the investee.
The following table summarizes the total gains and losses recorded in “Other income, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for changes in the fair value of the Company's trading investments during the three and six months ended May 31, 2013 and 2012:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
Gain on trading investments, net
$
671

 
$
25

 
$
1,240

 
$
1,114