Note 14 - Employee Stock Option and Retirement Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2017

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, 2016		3,364		$	129.54
Granted – nonperformance-based		671		$	152.28
Granted – performance-based		23		$	159.45
Exercised		(199	)	$	74.56
Forfeited		(26	)	$	147.22
Balance at November 30, 2016		3,833		$	136.43
Granted – performance-based		62		$	169.16
Granted – non-employee Directors grant		24		$	170.24
Exercised		(170	)	$	89.62
Forfeited		(50	)	$	141.50
Balance at February 28, 2017		3,699		$	139.27
Granted – nonperformance-based		12		$	163.05
Exercised		(62	)	$	93.25
Forfeited		(52	)	$	151.65
Balance at May 31, 2017		3,597		$	139.97

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

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*			Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0%	$	(694	)		—
10%	$	(520	)	$	127
40% (current expectation)		—		$	506
70%	$	520		$	886
100%	$	1,041		$	1,265

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
50%	$	3,981	$	8,269
70%	$	5,574	$	11,577
100%	$	7,963	$	16,538

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
50%	$	83	$	417
70%	$	116	$	583
100%	$	166	$	833

Vesting Percentage (in thousands)	Cumulative Catch-up Adjustment*		Remaining Expense to be Recognized
0% (current expectation)		—		—
100%	$	202	$	2,502

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, 2016		262		$	126.27
Granted		5		$	151.63
Vested (1)		(95	)	$	112.70
Balance at November 30, 2016		172		$	134.02
Granted		8		$	161.31
Forfeited		(3	)	$	114.42
Vested (2)		(6	)	$	105.91
Balance at February 28, 2017		171		$	136.65
Forfeited		(3	)	$	116.38
Balance at May 31, 2017		168		$	136.95

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, 2016		1,491			66
Granted – nonperformance-based options		(671	)		—
Granted – performance-based options		(23	)		—
Granted – restricted stock awards (1)		(12	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (2)		29			—
Balance at November 30, 2016		814			66
Granted – nonperformance-based options		—			(24	)
Granted – performance-based options		(62	)		—
Granted – restricted stock awards (1)		(20	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (2)		56			—
Balance at February 28, 2017		788			42
Granted – nonperformance-based options		(12	)		—
Share-based awards canceled/forfeited (2)		58			—
Balance at May 31, 2017		834			42