Stock-Based Benefit Plans (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2012

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-based compensation expense recognized and estimated amount to be recognized

Information regarding the amount of total stock-based compensation expense recognized by the Company, for the periods indicated, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	2012		2011
Six months ended April 30,	$	8,831	$	7,717
Three months ended April 30,	$	3,205	$	2,345

Stock compensation expense, related to stock options, for the periods indicated, was as follows (amounts in thousands):

	2012		2011
Six Months Ended April 30,	$	4,745	$	5,905
Three Months Ended April 30,	$	1,225	$	1,317

Weighted-average assumptions and the fair value used for stock option grants

The weighted-average assumptions and the fair value used for stock option grants in fiscal 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	2012	2011
Expected volatility	44.20% – 50.24%	45.38% – 49.46%
Weighted-average volatility	46.99%	47.73%
Risk-free interest rate	0.78% – 1.77%	1.64% – 3.09%
Expected life (years)	4.59 – 9.06	4.29 – 8.75
Dividends	none	none
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of options granted	$8.70	$7.94

Performance-based restricted stock units

The Company evaluates the performance-based metrics quarterly and estimates the number of shares underlying the RSUs that are probable of being issued. Information regarding the issuance, valuation assumptions and amortization of the Company’s Performance-Based RSUs issued in fiscal 2012 is provided below.

	2012
Estimated number of shares underlying RSUs to be issued	360,000
Closing price of the Company’s common stock on date of issuance	$	20.50
Estimated aggregate fair value of Performance-Based RSUs issued (in thousands)	$	7,371
Performance-Based RSU expense recognized in the six months ended April 30, 2012 (in thousands):	$	1,920
Performance-Based RSU expense recognized in the three months ended April 30, 2012 (in thousands):	$	984
Unamortized value of Performance-Based RSUs at April 30, 2012 (in thousands):	$	5,452

Stock price-based restricted stock units

Information regarding the amortization of the Company’s Stock Price-Based RSUs, for the periods indicated, is provided below (amounts in thousands).

	2012		2011
Six months ended April 30,	$	1,528	$	1,735
Three months ended April 30,	$	679	$	983

Information regarding the aggregate number of outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs and aggregate unamortized value of the outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs, as of the date indicated, is provided below.

	April 30, 2012		October 31, 2011
Aggregate outstanding Stock Price-Based RSUs	706,000		706,000
Cumulative unamortized value of Stock Price-Based RSUs (in thousands)	$	3,401	$	4,929

Non-performance based restricted stock units

The value of the RSUs was determined to be equal to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued pursuant to the RSUs, multiplied by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE on the date the RSUs were awarded. Information regarding these RSUs is as follows:

	2012		2011
Number of RSUs issued	107,820		15,497
Closing price of the Company’s common stock on date of issuance	$	20.50	$	19.32
Aggregate fair value of RSUs issued (in thousands)	$	2,210	$	299

Information regarding the amortization of the Company’s RSUs, for the periods indicated, is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	2012		2011
Six months ended April 30,	$	625	$	66
Three months ended April 30,	$	311	$	39

Information regarding the aggregate number of outstanding RSUs and aggregate unamortized value of the outstanding RSUs, as of the date indicated, is as follows:

	April 30, 2012		October 31, 2011
Aggregate outstanding RSUs	138,814		30,994
Cumulative unamortized value of RSUs (in thousands)	$	2,275	$	379