CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings
Beginning Balance at Oct. 31, 2008	$ 644,051	$ 581	$ (122,338)	$ 284,094	$ (3,422)	$ 485,136
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2008		57,992	(7,028)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	54,293					54,293
Unrealized loss on auction rate securities, net of taxes of $193 in 2011, $179 in 2010, and $203 in 2009	297				297
Reclass adjustment for credit losses recognized in earnings, net of taxes of $53 in 2010, and $636 in 2009	930				930
Foreign currency translation, net of taxes of $241 in 2009	577				577
Actuarial loss - Adjustments to pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, net of taxes of $996 in 2011, $108 in 2010, and $139 in 2009	(203)				(203)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, net of taxes of $76 in 2011, $230 in 2010, and $412 in 2009	(602)				(602)
Comprehensive income	55,292
Dividends:
Common stock	(26,727)					(26,727)
Tax effect from exercise of stock options	(1,314)			(1,314)
Stock issued under employees' stock purchase and option plans (in shares)		724
Stock issued under employees' stock purchase and option plans	8,337	6		8,557		(226)
Share-based compensation expense	7,411			7,411
Treasury stock retirement (in shares)		(7,028)	7,028
Treasury stock retirement		(70)	122,338	(122,268)
Ending Balance at Oct. 31, 2009	687,050	517		176,480	(2,423)	512,476
Ending Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2009		51,688
Comprehensive income:
Net income	64,121					64,121
Unrealized loss on auction rate securities, net of taxes of $193 in 2011, $179 in 2010, and $203 in 2009	461				461
Reclass adjustment for credit losses recognized in earnings, net of taxes of $53 in 2010, and $636 in 2009	74				74
Foreign currency translation, net of taxes of $241 in 2009	68				68
Actuarial loss - Adjustments to pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, net of taxes of $996 in 2011, $108 in 2010, and $139 in 2009	(381)				(381)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, net of taxes of $76 in 2011, $230 in 2010, and $412 in 2009	338				338
Comprehensive income	64,681
Dividends:
Common stock	(28,152)					(28,152)
Tax effect from exercise of stock options	383			383
Stock issued under employees' stock purchase and option plans (in shares)		947
Stock issued under employees' stock purchase and option plans	10,992	9		11,484		(501)
Share-based compensation expense	4,071			4,071
Ending Balance at Oct. 31, 2010	739,025	526		192,418	(1,863)	547,944
Ending Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2010		52,635
Comprehensive income:
Net income	68,504					68,504
Unrealized loss on auction rate securities, net of taxes of $193 in 2011, $179 in 2010, and $203 in 2009	306				306
Foreign currency translation, net of taxes of $241 in 2009	214				214
Actuarial loss - Adjustments to pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, net of taxes of $996 in 2011, $108 in 2010, and $139 in 2009	(1,433)				(1,433)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, net of taxes of $76 in 2011, $230 in 2010, and $412 in 2009	115				115
Comprehensive income	67,706
Dividends:
Common stock	(29,744)					(29,744)
Tax effect from exercise of stock options	(467)			(467)
Stock issued under employees' stock purchase and option plans (in shares)		698
Stock issued under employees' stock purchase and option plans	10,175	7		10,247		(79)
Share-based compensation expense	9,191			9,191
Ending Balance at Oct. 31, 2011	$ 795,886	$ 533		$ 211,389	$ (2,661)	$ 586,625
Ending Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2011		53,333