INVESTMENTS:
6 Months Ended
May 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]  
Investments
INVESTMENTS: 
The carrying amount of the Company’s investments is shown in the table below: 
 
As of
 
May 31, 2014
 
November 30, 2013
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Carrying
Value
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Carrying
Value
Short-term investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities
$
1,531

 
$
297

 
$
1,828

 
$
3,857

 
$
871

 
$
4,728

Held-to-maturity investments
8,665

 

 
8,665

 
8,753

 

 
8,753

Cost method securities
10

 

 
10

 
1,653

 

 
1,653

 
$
10,206

 
$
297

 
$
10,503

 
$
14,263

 
$
871

 
$
15,134

Long-term investments in other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
974

 
$
628

 
$
1,602

 
$
909

 
$
366

 
$
1,275

Cost-method investments
4,968

 

 
4,968

 
4,981

 

 
4,981

 
Short-term trading securities generally consist of equity securities relating to the Company’s deferred compensation plan. 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 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 the published fund values or an internal valuation of the investee.
The following table summarizes the total gains recorded in “Other income (expense), net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for changes in the fair value of the Company's trading investments:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
May 31, 2014
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2014
 
May 31, 2013
Gains on trading investments
$
255

 
$
671

 
$
314

 
$
1,240