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Stock Repurchase Program
6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2011
Stock repurchase program [Abstract]  
Stock repurchase program
10. Stock Repurchase Program
In March 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 20 million shares of its common stock, par value $.01, from time to time, in open market transactions or otherwise, for the purpose of providing shares for its various employee benefit plans. Information about the Company’s share repurchase program for the six-month and three-month periods ended April 30, 2011 and 2010 is in the table below.
                                 
    Six months ended April 30,     Three months ended April 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Number of shares purchased
    19,000       19,000       11,000       12,000  
Average price per share
  $ 20.13     $ 19.67     $ 20.83     $ 20.02  
Remaining authorization at April 30: (in thousands)
    11,811       11,843       11,811       11,843