Investments AFS (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011
Oct. 31, 2010
Oct. 31, 2009
Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Net Abstract      
Available-for-sale securities realized gains $ 3,212,000 $ 3,108,000 $ 1,959,000
Available-for-sale securities realized losses (2,626,000) (60,000) (397,000)
Available-for-sale securities net realized gains (losses) 586,000 3,048,000 1,562,000
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
     
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]      
Available-for-sale securities at cost 34,368,000 34,300,000  
Available-for-sale securities unrealized gross gains 5,518,000 3,655,000  
Available-for-sale securities unrealized gross losses (45,000) (414,000)  
Available-for-sale securities at fair value 39,841,000 37,541,000  
Available-for-sale securities fair value associated with the unrealized losses $ 700,000