STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY

20.   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Stock Repurchase Program

On November 19, 2009 our board of directors approved a share-repurchase program to reduce or eliminate dilution of basic outstanding shares in connection with issuances of stock under the company's equity incentive plans (the "2009 repurchase program"). The 2009 repurchase program did not require the company to acquire a specific number of shares and could be suspended or discontinued at any time. There was no fixed termination date for the 2009 repurchase program.

On January 16, 2013, our board of directors terminated the 2009 repurchase program and approved a new share-repurchase program (the "2013 repurchase program"). The 2013 repurchase program authorized the use of up to $500 million to repurchase shares of the company's common stock in open market transactions, inclusive of any amounts repurchased since November 1, 2012. On May 14, 2013 we announced that our board of directors authorized an increase of $500 million to the 2013 repurchase program bringing the cumulative authorization to $1 billion. Unless terminated earlier by the board of directors, the 2013 repurchase program is designed to cover purchases until the end of the calendar year 2013 and any unused portion may be used in the calendar year 2014. The 2013 repurchase program does not require the company to acquire a specific number of shares and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. As of October 31, 2013, the remaining amount to be repurchased under the 2013 program is $100 million. We repurchased the remaining $100 million worth of shares under the 2013 repurchase program in November 2013.

For the year ended October 31, 2013, we repurchased 20 million shares for $900 million. For the year ended October 31, 2012 we repurchased approximately 5 million shares for $172 million. For the year ended October 31, 2011 we repurchased 12 million shares for $497 million. All such shares and related costs are held as treasury stock and accounted for using the cost method.

On November 22, 2013 we announced that our board of directors has authorized a new share repurchase program effective upon the conclusion of the company's existing $1 billion repurchase program. The new program is designed to reduce or eliminate dilution resulting from issuance of stock under the company's employee equity incentive programs to maintain a weighted average share count of approximately 335 million diluted shares.

Cash Dividends on Shares of Common Stock

During the year ended October 31, 2013, cash dividends of $0.46 per share, or $156 million were declared and paid on the company's outstanding common stock. During the year ended October 31, 2012, cash dividends of $0.30 per share, or $104 million were declared and paid on the company's outstanding common stock. The timing and amounts of any future dividends are subject to determination and approval by our board of directors.

On November 22, 2013 we announced that our board of directors has authorized a 10 percent increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.132 per share. The dividend was declared on November 22, 2013 and will be paid on January 22, 2014 to all stockholders of record as of close of business on December 31, 2013.

Accumulated other comprehensive income

The following table summarizes the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income as of October 31, 2013 and 2012, net of tax effect:

	October 31,
	2013			2012
	(in millions)
Unrealized gain on equity securities, net of $2 of tax expense for 2013	$	7		$	—
Foreign currency translation, net of $102 of tax expense for 2013 and 2012	425			424
Unrealized losses on defined benefit plans, net of tax benefit of $(64) and $(162) for 2013 and 2012, respectively	(341		)	(537		)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of tax expense of $2 and $3 for 2013 and 2012, respectively	—			2
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	91		$	(111	)