Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2012
Nov. 30, 2011
Revenues $ 1,369,204,000.0 $ 1,517,603,000.0
Cost of revenues 1,254,338,000 1,397,661,000
Gross profit 114,866,000 119,942,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses 63,699,000 69,477,000
Operating income 51,167,000 50,465,000
Interest expense (1,731,000) (1,652,000)
Interest income 1,634,000 2,152,000
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on Japanese Yen-denominated bonds, net 67,828,000 25,165,000
Other foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net (341,000) 2,194,000
Other income (expense), net 1,048,000 468,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and earnings (losses) from unconsolidated entities 109,714,000 68,382,000
Provision (benefit) for income taxes 41,795,000 24,928,000
Income (loss) before earnings (losses) from unconsolidated entities 67,919,000 43,454,000
Income from 20% Investment in Westinghouse, net of income taxes 4,245,000 5,266,000
Earnings (losses) from unconsolidated entities, net of income taxes (1,252,000) 1,687,000
Net income (loss) 70,912,000 50,407,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,143,000 1,163,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Shaw 69,769,000 49,244,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Shaw per common share:    
Basic (in Dollars per share) $ 1.05 $ 0.69
Diluted (in Dollars per share) $ 1.03 $ 0.68
Weighted average shares outstanding:    
Basic (in Shares) 66,504 71,341
Diluted (in Shares) 67,932 72,485
Westinghouse [Member]
   
Interest expense on Japanese Yen-denominated bonds including accretion and amortization $ (9,891,000) $ (10,410,000)