Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2012
Derivative Financial Instruments Disclosure Table [Abstract]  
Summary of the fair value table of other derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments
October 31, 2012         
   Assets  Liabilities
(in thousands) Balance Sheet Location Fair Value  Balance Sheet Location Fair Value
Foreign exchange contractsOther assets$ 226  Other liabilities$ 300
Stock index futures contractsOther assets  1,505  Other liabilities  367
Commodity futures contractsOther assets  498  Other liabilities  121
Total   $ 2,229   $ 788

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

   Income Statement      
(in thousands) Location 2012 2011 2010
 Gains and other       
Foreign exchange contractsinvestment income, net$ 288$ (1,495)$ (810)
          
 Gains and other       
Stock index futures contractsinvestment income, net  (11,361)  (2,658)  (1,923)
          
 Gains and other       
Commodity futures contractsinvestment income, net  693  305  (836)
Total   $ (10,380)$ (3,848)$ (3,569)