Income taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Current:
U.S. federal	$ 53,983	$ 9,811	$ 14,370
State and local	2,029	29	858
Foreign	35,469	26,601	13,581
Total current	91,481	36,441	28,809
Deferred:
U.S. federal	1,851	34,097	7,281
State and local	23	(2,771)	906
Foreign	(1,158)	(4,496)	(4,132)
Total deferred	716	26,830	4,055
Total income tax expense	$ 92,197	$ 63,271	$ 32,864