7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

As required by the Financial Instruments topic of the FASB ASC, the following summarizes required information about the fair value of certain financial instruments for which it is currently practicable to estimate such value. None of the financial instruments are held or issued for trading purposes. The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

 

 

 

December 25, 2021

 

 

December 26, 2020

 

 

 

Carrying
Amount

 

 

Fair
Value

 

 

Carrying
Amount

 

 

Fair
Value

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,498,058

 

 

$

1,498,058

 

 

$

1,458,442

 

 

$

1,458,442

 

Marketable securities

 

$

1,616,678

 

 

$

1,616,678

 

 

$

1,518,817

 

 

$

1,518,817

 

 

For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short maturities.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2021Feb 16, 2022Showing above
2020Feb 17, 2021
2019Feb 19, 2020
2018Feb 20, 2019
2017Feb 21, 2018
2016Feb 22, 2017
2015Feb 17, 2016

About Fair Value Disclosures

Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.

Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.