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Stock Repurchase Program
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]  
Stock Repurchase Program

Note 8. Stock Repurchase Program

The Company's Board of Directors (Board) previously approved a stock repurchase program pursuant to which the Company was authorized to purchase up to $500.0 million of its common stock, and has periodically replenished the stock repurchase program to such amount. The Board most recently replenished the stock repurchase program up to $500.0 million on May 25, 2011. The Company repurchases shares to offset dilution caused by ongoing stock issuances from existing plans for equity compensation awards, acquisitions, and when management believes it is a good use of cash. Repurchases are transacted in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) and may be made through any means including, but not limited to, open market purchases, plans executed under Rule 10b5-1(c) of the Exchange Act and structured transactions. As of October 31, 2011, $312.4 million remained available for further repurchases under the program.

On September 30, 2011, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (ASR) to repurchase an aggregate of $75.0 million of the Company's common stock. Pursuant to the ASR, the Company made a prepayment of $75.0 million and received an initial share delivery of 1,710,376 shares of the Company's common stock. The initial share delivery was valued at $41.7 million and was recorded as treasury stock in the consolidated balance sheet. The remaining balance of $33.3 million was recorded as an equity forward contract, which is included in "Capital in excess of par value" in the consolidated balance sheet as of October 31, 2011. Under the terms of the ASR, the specific number of shares that the Company ultimately repurchases will be based on the volume weighted average share price of the Company's common stock during the repurchase period, less a discount.

The following table summarizes stock repurchase activities as well as the reissuance of treasury stock for employee stock compensation purposes: