Differences Between Consolidated Effective Income Tax Rate and Federal Statutory Rate (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income taxes at statutory rate	$ 30,300	$ (67,985)	$ 72,539
State income taxes	1,659	(4,299)	4,117
Federal manufacturers (deduction) recapture	(2,191)	5,281	(4,129)
Nondeductible expenses	3,008	678	639
Other, net	(18)	(92)	5
Change in valuation allowance	1,600	9,675	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	32,628	(67,165)	72,435
State
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax credits	(1,600)	(9,675)	(273)
Federal
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax credits	$ (130)	$ (748)	$ (463)

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The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations.

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The portion of the difference between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets in the period.

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The portion of the difference between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement for the period and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to the deduction for qualified production activities received under enacted tax laws.

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The amount of income tax expense or benefit for the period computed by applying the domestic federal statutory tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations.

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The sum of the differences between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement for the period and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations attributable to nondeductible expenses under enacted tax laws, or differences in the methodologies used to determine expense amounts for financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and enacted tax laws.

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The portion of the difference, between total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement for the year/accounting period and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations, that is attributable to all other items not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy.

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