11.
Fair Value and Equity Investments

Fair Value

The carrying value of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information.

The following tables present the fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (U.S. dollars in thousands):

   
Fair Value at December 31, 2025
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Financial assets (liabilities):
                               
Cash equivalents and current investments
 
$
39,084
   
$
   
$
   
$
39,084
 
Life insurance contracts
   
     
     
48,410
     
48,410
 
Total
 
$
39,084
   
$
     
48,410
   
$
87,494
 

   
Fair Value at December 31, 2024
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Financial assets (liabilities):
                               
Cash equivalents and current investments
 
$
23,914
   
$
   
$
   
$
23,914
 
Derivative financial instruments asset           4,708             4,708  
Life insurance contracts
   
     
     
44,091
     
44,091
 
Total
 
$
23,914
   
$
4,708
   
$
44,091
   
$
72,713
 

The following methods and assumptions were used to determine the fair value of each class of assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:

Cash equivalents and current investments: Cash equivalents and current investments primarily consist of highly rated money market funds with maturities of three months or less, and are purchased daily at par value with specified yield rates. Due to the high ratings and short-term nature of the funds, the Company considers all cash equivalents and current investments as Level 1. Current investments include $0 and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, that is restricted for the Company’s voluntary participation in a consumer protection cooperative in South Korea, along with investments in corporate securities.

Life insurance contracts: ASC 820 preserves practicability exceptions to fair value measurements provided by other applicable provisions of U.S. GAAP. The guidance in ASC 715-30-35-60 allows a reporting entity, as a practical expedient, to use cash surrender value or conversion value as an expedient for fair value when it is present. Accordingly, the Company determines the fair value of its life insurance contracts as the cash-surrender value of life insurance policies held in its Rabbi Trust as disclosed in Note 14, “Deferred Compensation Plan.”

Derivative financial instruments asset and liability: Derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value based on observable market information and appropriate valuation methods.  See Note 15, “Derivative Financial Instruments” for more information on derivative financial instruments.

Contingent consideration: Contingent consideration represents the obligations incurred in connection with acquisitions. The estimate of fair value of the contingent consideration obligations requires subjective assumptions to be made regarding the future business results, discount rates, discount periods and probabilities assigned to various potential business result scenarios and was determined using probability assessments with respect to the likelihood of reaching various targets or of achieving certain milestones. The fair value measurement is based on significant inputs unobservable in the market and thus represents a level 3 measurement. Changes in current expectations of progress could change the probability of achieving the targets within the measurement periods and result in an increase or decrease in the fair value of the contingent consideration obligation.

The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 life insurance contracts (U.S. dollars in thousands):


 
2025
   
2024
 
Beginning balance at January 1
 
$
44,091
   
$
45,041
 
Actual return on plan assets
   
4,319
     
6,250
Sales and settlements
   
   
(7,200
)
Ending balance at December 31
 
$
48,410
   
$
44,091
 

The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 contingent consideration (U.S. dollars in thousands):


 
2025
   
2024
 
Beginning balance at January 1
 
$
 
$
(6,300
)
Changes in fair value of contingent consideration
   
     
 
Payments
         
6,300
 
Ending balance at December 31
 
$
 
$



Equity Investments



The Company maintains equity investments in companies which are accounted for under the measurement alternative described in ASC 321-10-35-2 for equity securities that lack readily determinable fair values. The carrying amount of an equity security held by the Company without readily determinable fair values was $0 and $28.1 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. In prior years, the Company recognized $18.1 million of cumulative upward fair value adjustments, based on the valuation of additional equity issued by the investee which was deemed to be an observable transaction of a similar investment under ASC 321. During the year ended December 31, 2025, based on significant deterioration of the business prospects of the investment, the Company recorded a $28.1 million impairment of the investment. These charges were recorded within Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement of Income. The 2025 estimated fair value was determined using a market-based method with level 3 inputs, including revenue and earnings multiples. The Company also had equity securities held without readily determinable fair values of $14.3 million and $7.6 million as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 13, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 14, 2025
2023Feb 15, 2024
2022Feb 16, 2023
2021Feb 16, 2022
2020Feb 11, 2021
2019Feb 13, 2020
2018Feb 14, 2019
2017Feb 16, 2018
2016Feb 27, 2017
2015Feb 18, 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.