Note 13 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 29, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity [Table Text Block]

(in thousands, except per share data)	Number Outstanding			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Balance at August 31, 2015		3,117		$	100.71
Granted – non performance-based		514		$	175.20
Granted – performance-based		530		$	165.37
Exercised		(277	)	$	63.72
Forfeited		(8	)	$	108.32
Balance at November 30, 2015		3,876		$	122.06
Granted – non performance-based		4		$	150.81
Granted – non-employee Directors grant		23		$	146.82
Exercised		(70	)	$	63.77
Forfeited		(45	)	$	127.82
Balance at February 29, 2016		3,788		$	123.24

Schedule of Share-based Compensation Vesting Percentage and Related Expenses [Table Text Block]

(in thousands) Vesting Percentage	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*			Remaining Expense to be Recognized
Fourth 20%	$	(1,135	)	$	192
Fifth 20% (current expectation)	$	—		$	657

(in thousands) Vesting Percentage	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*			Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0%	$	(638	)	$	0
10%	$	(478	)	$	441
40% (current expectation)	$	—		$	1,764
70%	$	478		$	3,087
100%	$	956		$	4,410

(in thousands) Vesting Percentage	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)	$	0	$	0
50%	$	613	$	11,331
70%	$	858	$	15,864
100%	$	1,226	$	22,662

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]

(in thousands, except per award data)	Number Outstanding			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Award
Balance at August 31, 2015		313		$	103.34
Granted		93		$	159.46
Vested (1)		(37	)	$	84.38
Canceled/forfeited		(1	)	$	97.92
Balance at November 30, 2015		368		$	119.44
Canceled/forfeited		(10	)	$	115.03
Balance at February 29, 2016		358		$	119.55

Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	Share-based Awards Available for Grant under the Employee Option Plan			Share-based Awards Available for Grant under the Non-Employee Directors Plan
Balance at August 31, 2015		2,441			88
Granted – non performance-based options		(514	)		—
Granted – performance-based options		(530	)		—
Restricted stock awards granted (1)		(232	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (2)		11			—
Balance at November 30, 2015		1,176			88
Granted – non performance-based options		(4	)		(22	)
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (2)		71
Balance at February 29, 2016		1,243			66