The Company also has defined benefit pension plans that cover certain of its non-U.S. employees. These consist of a Canadian plan, an U.K. plan and the defined benefit component of the Hardy Plan. During the year ended February 29, 2004, the Company ceased future accruals for active employees under its U.K. plan. There were no curtailment charges arising from this event. Net peri- odic benefit cost (income) reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income for these plans includes the following components: The following table summarizes the funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans and the related amounts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: February 29, February 28, 2004 2003 (in thousands) Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation as of March 1 $ 220,686 $ 186,722 Service cost 2,202 4,245 Interest cost 14,471 12,055 Plan participants’ contributions 235 1,638 Actuarial loss 19,079 3,423 Acquisition 10,764 –– Benefits paid (11,013) (7,706) Foreign currency exchange rate changes 45,184 20,309 Benefit obligation as of the last day of February  $ 301,608 $ 220,686 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets as of March 1 $ 175,819 $ 181,815 Actual return on plan assets 21,618 (19,794) Acquisition 9,601 –– Plan participants’ contributions 235 1,638 Employer contribution 3,983 979 Benefits paid (11,013) (7,706) Foreign currency exchange rate changes 36,071 18,887 Fair value of plan assets as of the last day of February  $ 236,314 $ 175,819 Funded status of the plan as of the last day of February: Funded status $ (65,294) $ (44,867) Unrecognized prior service cost 18 24 Unrecognized actuarial loss 93,926 69,732 Net amount recognized $ 28,650 $ 24,889 Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of: Prepaid benefit cost $ 97 $ –– Accrued benefit liability (55,221) (36,351) Intangible asset 18 24 Deferred tax asset 25,569 18,681 Accumulated other comprehensive loss 58,187 42,535 Net amount recognized $ 28,650 $ 24,889 For the Years Ended February 29, February 28, February 28, 2004 2003 2002 (in thousands) Service cost $ 2,202 $ 4,245 $ 4,298 Interest cost 14,471 12,055 11,549 Expected return on plan assets (15,155) (14,639) (15,867) Amortization of prior service cost 9 8 8 Recognized net actuarial loss (gain) 2,019 843 (33) Net periodic benefit cost (income) $ 3,546 $ 2,512 $ (45) 60