Note 8 - Earnings Per Share (Detail) - Shares Used to Compute Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Net income available to common shares (in Dollars)	$ 11,840	$ 9,735	$ 18,904	$ 17,384
Basic
Weighted average shares, basic	56,984	55,751	56,832	55,408
Dilutive effect of options and non-participating securities	737	902	709	746
Weighted average shares, diluted	57,721	56,653	57,541	56,154
Basic earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.17	$ 0.33	$ 0.31
Diluted earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.17	$ 0.33	$ 0.31
Weighted average anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted EPS	1,534	1,618	1,581	2,105