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Significant accounting policies - Creations and Redemptions of Shares (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2011
Number of Redeemable Shares: |  |  |  |  |
Opening balance | 437,900,000 |  | 406,800,000 |  | 429,200,000
Creations | 51,100,000 |  | 84,700,000 |  | 115,600,000
Redemptions | (187,400,000) |  | (53,600,000) |  | (138,000,000)
Closing balance | 301,600,000 |  | 437,900,000 |  | 406,800,000
Redeemable Shares: |  |  |  |  |
Opening balance | $ 75,389,813 | [1] | $ 64,137,833 |  | $ 54,809,779
Creations | 7,734,465 |  | 13,956,415 |  | 17,521,097
Redemptions | (26,693,165) |  | (8,456,437) |  | (20,567,866)
Adjustment to redemption value | (17,807,576) |  | 5,752,002 |  | 12,374,823
Closing balance | $ 38,623,537 | [1] | $ 75,389,813 | [1] | $ 64,137,833
Redemption value per redeemable share at period end | $ 128.06 |  | $ 172.16 |  | $ 157.66
[1] | Authorized share capital is unlimited and shares par value is $0.00. Shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 is 301,600,000 and at September 30, 2012 is 437,900,000.

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- Definition Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 + Details
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