Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2013

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-based compensation expense recognized

Information regarding the amount of total stock-based compensation expense and tax benefit recognized by the Company, for the periods indicated, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Six months ended April 30,				Three months ended April 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Total stock-based compensation expense recognized	$	10,027	$	8,831	$	4,343	$	3,205
Income tax benefit recognized	$	3,666	$	3,235	$	1,588	$	1,174

Weighted-average assumptions and the fair value used for stock option grants

The weighted-average assumptions and the fair value used for stock option grants in fiscal 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

	2013	2012
Expected volatility	44.04% - 48.13%	44.20% - 50.24%
Weighted-average volatility	46.70%	46.99%
Risk-free interest rate	0.64% - 1.56%	0.78% - 1.77%
Expected life (years)	4.48 - 8.88	4.59 - 9.06
Dividends	none	none
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of options granted	$13.05	$8.70

Stock based compensation expense recognized for stock options [Table Text Block]

Stock compensation expense, related to stock options, for the periods indicated, was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	2013		2012
Six months ended April 30,	$	4,835	$	4,745
Three months ended April 30,	$	1,360	$	1,225

Performance-based restricted stock units

The Company evaluates the performance goals quarterly and estimates the number of shares underlying the Performance-Based RSUs that are probable of being issued. Information regarding the issuance, valuation assumptions and amortization of the Company’s Performance-Based RSUs issued in fiscal 2013 and 2012 is provided below.

	2013		2012
Estimated number of shares underlying Performance-Based RSUs to be issued	289,490		360,000
Closing price of the Company’s common stock on date performance goals were approved	$	37.78	$	20.50
Estimated aggregate fair value of Performance-Based RSUs to be issued (in thousands)	$	10,937	$	7,371
Performance-Based RSU expense recognized in the six months ended April 30, (in thousands):	$	2,588	$	1,920
Performance-Based RSU expense recognized in the three months ended April 30, (in thousands):	$	2,074	$	984
Unamortized value of Performance-Based RSUs at April 30, (in thousands):	$	11,986	$	5,452

Stock price-based restricted stock units

Information regarding the amortization of the Company’s Stock Price-Based RSUs, for the periods indicated, is provided below (amounts in thousands).

	2013		2012
Six months ended April 30,	$	979	$	1,528
Three months ended April 30,	$	416	$	679

Information regarding the aggregate number of outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs and aggregate unamortized value of the outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs, as of the date indicated, is provided below.

	April 30, 2013		October 31, 2012
Aggregate outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs	306,000		506,000
Cumulative unamortized value of Stock Price-Based RSUs (in thousands)	$	1,064	$	2,042

Non-performance based restricted stock units

Information regarding these RSUs issued in the six months ended April 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

	2013		2012
Number of RSUs issued	94,080		107,820
Closing price of the Company’s common stock on date of issuance	$	32.22	$	20.50
Aggregate fair value of RSUs issued (in thousands)	$	3,031	$	2,210

Information regarding the amortization of the Company’s RSUs, for the periods indicated, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	2013		2012
Six months ended April 30,	$	1,584	$	625
Three months ended April 30,	$	472	$	311

Information regarding the aggregate number of outstanding RSUs and aggregate unamortized value of the outstanding RSUs, as of the date indicated, is as follows:

	April 30, 2013		October 31, 2012
Aggregate outstanding RSUs	228,490		137,764
Cumulative unamortized value of RSUs (in thousands)	$	2,692	$	1,326