Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011
Derivative Financial Instruments Disclosure Table [Abstract]  
Summary of the fair value table of the derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments
October 31, 2011         
   Assets  Liabilities
(in thousands) Balance Sheet Location Fair Value  Balance Sheet Location Fair Value
Foreign exchange contractsOther assets$ 24  Other liabilities$ 124
Stock index futures contractsOther assets  157  Other liabilities  6,363
Commodity futures contractsOther assets  879  Other liabilities  167
Total   $ 1,060   $ 6,654

October 31, 2010         
   Assets  Liabilities
(in thousands) Balance Sheet Location Fair Value  Balance Sheet Location Fair Value
Foreign exchange contractsOther assets$ 12  Other liabilities$ 1,187
Stock index futures contractsOther assets  489  Other liabilities  1,415
Commodity futures contractsOther assets  81  Other liabilities  917
Total   $ 582   $ 3,519

   Income Statement      
(in thousands) Location 2011 2010 2009
 Net gains on investments and       
Foreign exchange contractsderivatives$ (1,495)$ (810)$ -
          
 Net gains on investments and       
Stock index futures contractsderivatives  (2,658)  (1,923)  42
          
 Net gains on investments and       
Commodity futures contractsderivatives  305  (836)  -
Total   $ (3,848)$ (3,569)$ 42