NOTE E — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial instruments recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets include cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, marketable securities, notes and accounts payable, and debt.

An allowance for credit losses is established for trade accounts receivable using assessments of current creditworthiness of customers, historical collection experience, the aging of receivables and other currently available evidence. Trade accounts receivable balances are written-off against the allowance if a final determination of uncollectibility is made. All provisions for allowance for doubtful collection of accounts are included in SG&A.

All derivative instruments were recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and measured at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that did not qualify as hedges and/or any ineffective portion of hedges were recognized as a gain or (loss) in our Consolidated Statements of Income in the current period. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments used effectively as cash flow hedges were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), along with the change in the value of the hedged item. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

The valuation techniques utilized for establishing the fair values of assets and liabilities are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect management’s market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value, as follows:

Level 1 Inputs — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 Inputs — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3 Inputs — Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.

Our investments in available-for-sale debt securities and marketable equity securities are valued using a market approach. The availability of inputs observable in the market varies from instrument to instrument and depends on a variety of factors, including the type of instrument, whether the instrument is actively traded and other characteristics particular to the transaction. For most of our financial instruments, pricing inputs are readily observable in the market, the valuation methodology used is widely accepted by market participants, and the valuation does not require significant management discretion. For other financial instruments, pricing inputs are less observable in the market and may require management judgment.

The contingent consideration represents the estimated fair value of the additional variable cash consideration payable in connection with recent acquisitions that is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance milestones. We estimated the fair value using expected future cash flows over the period in which the obligation is expected to be settled which is considered to be a Level 3 input. During fiscal 2024, we paid approximately $1.1 million to satisfy contingent consideration obligations relating to certain performance milestones that were established in prior periods and achieved during the year. During fiscal 2023, we increased our accrual by $2.6 million related to fair value adjustments and paid approximately $10.4 million for settlements of contingent consideration obligations relating to certain performance milestones that were established in prior periods and achieved during fiscal 2023. In the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, payments of acquisition-related contingent consideration for the amount recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date are reported in cash flows from financing activities, while payment of contingent consideration in excess of fair value as of the acquisition date, are reported in cash flows from operating activities within accrued liabilities.

The carrying value of our current financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt, approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these financial instruments. At May 31, 2024 and 2023, the fair value of our long-term debt was estimated using active market quotes, based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, which are Level 2 inputs. Based on the analysis performed, the fair value and the carrying value of our financial instruments and long-term debt as of May 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows: