INVESTMENTS:
 6 Months Ended
May. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]  
Investments
INVESTMENTS: 
The carrying amount of the Company’s investments is shown in the table below: 
 
As of
 
May 31, 2015
 
November 30, 2014
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Carrying
Value
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Carrying
Value
Short-term investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,614

 
$
373

 
$
1,987

Held-to-maturity investments
5,587

 
—

 
5,587

 
5,141

 
—

 
5,141

 
$
5,587

 
$
—

 
$
5,587

 
$
6,755

 
$
373

 
$
7,128

Long-term investments in other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
$
820

 
$
1,410

 
$
2,230

 
$
843

 
$
897

 
$
1,740

Cost-method investments
$
4,555

 
$
—

 
$
4,555

 
$
4,578

 
$
—

 
$
4,578

 
Short-term trading securities generally consist of equity securities relating to the Company’s deferred compensation plan. 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. Long-term available-for-sale securities primarily consist of investments in other companies’ equity securities. 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 cost-method investments is based on an internal valuation of the investees.
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, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
Gains (losses) on trading investments
$
(9
)
 
$
255

 
$
50

 
$
314