Schedule of Components of Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal	$ 166,402	$ 200,370	$ 126,846
State and local	21,025	20,941	12,716
Total current expense	187,427	221,311	139,562
Federal	17,820	(37,033)	(13,079)
State and local	(2,369)	(2,146)	(1,192)
Total deferred expense (benefit)	15,451	(39,179)	(14,271)
Total income tax expense	$ 202,878	$ 182,132	$ 125,291