Inventories

6 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2011

Inventories [Abstract]

Inventories

2. Inventories

We use the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method to determine the cost of most of our inventories. If the LIFO method had not been used, inventories at current cost would have been $203.5 million higher than reported as of April 30, 2011, and $212.1 million higher than reported as of October 31, 2011. Changes in the LIFO valuation reserve for interim periods are based on a proportionate allocation of the estimated change for the entire fiscal year.