Stock Issuance and Stock Repurchase Program

6 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2014

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Stock Issuance and Stock Repurchase Program

Stock Issuance

In November 2013, in anticipation of the Shapell acquisition, the Company issued 7.2 million shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a price to the public of $32.00 per share. The Company received $220.4 million of net proceeds from the issuance.

Stock Repurchase Program

In March 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 20 million shares of its common stock, par value $0.01, in open market transactions or otherwise, for the purpose of providing shares for its various employee benefit plans.

The table below provides, for the periods indicated, information about the Company’s share repurchase program:

	Six months ended April 30,				Three months ended April 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Number of shares purchased (in thousands)	5		5		3		3
Average price per share	$	34.71	$	33.61	$	36.04	$	34.49
Remaining authorization at April 30 (in thousands)	8,263		8,760		8,263		8,760