Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 431,754	$ 378,770
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,219 and $10,042)	838,597	989,694
Inventories, net	980,643	757,417
Other	167,498	240,314
Total current assets	2,418,492	2,366,195
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	80,813	80,764
Buildings and improvements	499,794	486,494
Equipment	1,707,624	1,666,250
Construction in process	31,869	18,476
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	2,320,100	2,251,984
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,385,571)	(1,311,747)
Property, plant and equipment, Net	934,529	940,237
Goodwill	69,790	69,579
Other assets	121,666	118,790
Total assets	3,544,477	3,494,801
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	383,958	342,678
Accounts payable-documentary letters of credit	117,222	112,281
Accrued expenses and other payables	250,013	314,949
Notes payable	8,538	5,973
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,776	5,228
Total current liabilities	766,507	781,109
Deferred income taxes	49,071	46,558
Other long-term liabilities	116,221	118,165
Long-term debt	1,276,759	1,278,814
Total liabilities	2,208,558	2,224,646
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued 129,060,664 shares; outstanding 117,742,215 and 117,010,990 shares	1,290	1,290
Additional paid-in capital	358,293	363,772
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	874	(27,176)
Retained earnings	1,195,634	1,166,732
Less treasury stock, 11,318,449 and 12,049,674 shares at cost	(220,261)	(234,619)
Stockholders' equity attributable to CMC	1,335,830	1,269,999
Stockholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interests	89	156
Total stockholders' equity	1,335,919	1,270,155
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 3,544,477	$ 3,494,801