Stock Repurchase Activities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012		Jul. 31, 2011
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Shares repurchased		3,830	2,474	[1]	12,439
Average purchase price per share		$ 26.11	$ 29.64	[1]	$ 26.93
Aggregate purchase price		$ 100,000	$ 73,335	[1]	$ 334,985
Reissuance of treasury stock	1,677	1,010	7,793	[1]	7,626

[1] Amount includes $33.3 million from the settlement of the September 2011 ASR equity forward contract.