Pension and other postretirement plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2014

Pension Cost [Member]

The components of net periodic pension cost for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013 were:


	U.S.						International
Three months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
Service cost	$	2,018		$	2,070		$	691		$	516
Interest cost		3,480			3,057			783			709
Expected return on plan assets		(4,324	)		(3,737	)		(430	)		(373	)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		59			38			(20	)		(19	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss		1,985			3,431			384			347

Total benefit cost	$	3,218		$	4,859		$	1,408		$	1,180


	U.S.						International
Nine months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
Service cost	$	6,053		$	6,692		$	2,102		$	1,586
Interest cost		10,441			9,235			2,392			2,147
Expected return on plan assets		(12,972	)		(11,401	)		(1,309	)		(1,133	)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		177			117			(59	)		(62	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss		5,955			10,496			1,170			1,049

Total benefit cost	$	9,654		$	15,139		$	4,296		$	3,587

Postretirement Benefit Costs [Member]

The components of other postretirement benefit cost for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014 and July 31, 2013 were:


	U.S.						International
Three months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
Service cost	$	259		$	187		$	7		$	8
Interest cost		766			592			9			10
Amortization of prior service credit		(112	)		(118	)		—			—
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		358			477			(3	)		(1	)

Total benefit cost	$	1,271		$	1,138		$	13		$	17


	U.S.						International
Nine months ended	July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013			July 31, 2014			July 31, 2013
Service cost	$	778		$	859		$	22		$	26
Interest cost		2,297			1,948			28			29
Amortization of prior service credit		(337	)		(355	)		—			—
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss		1,076			1,584			(10	)		(3	)

Total benefit cost	$	3,814		$	4,036		$	40		$	52