EQUITY EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX AND NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2012
EQUITY EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX AND NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS	NOTE 16 – EQUITY EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX AND NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS *Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax* Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax represent the Company’s share of earnings of affiliates in which the Company does not exercise control and has a 20 percent or more voting interest. Investments in such affiliates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. If the fair value of an investment in an affiliate is below its carrying value and the difference is deemed to be other than temporary, the difference between the fair value and the carrying value is charged to earnings. The Company has an equity interest in eight such affiliates. Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax for 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $1.3 million, $4.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively. Dividends received from the Company’s equity method affiliates for the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011 were $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. There were no dividends received from the Company’s equity method affiliates for the year ended October 31, 2010. The Company has made loans to an entity deemed a VIE and accounted for as an equity method investment. These loans bear interest at various interest rates. The original principal balance of these loans was $22.2 million. As of October 31, 2012 these loans had an outstanding balance of $17.4 million. *Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests* Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests represent the portion of earnings or losses from the operations of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries attributable to unrelated third party equity owners that were deducted from net income to arrive at net income attributable to the Company. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $5.5 million, $2.9 million and $5.7 million, respectively

EQUITY EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX AND NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

EQUITY EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX AND NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

NOTE 16 – EQUITY EARNINGS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES, NET OF TAX AND NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax

Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax represent the Company’s share of earnings of affiliates in which the Company does not exercise control and has a 20 percent or more voting interest. Investments in such affiliates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. If the fair value of an investment in an affiliate is below its carrying value and the difference is deemed to be other than temporary, the difference between the fair value and the carrying value is charged to earnings. The Company has an equity interest in eight such affiliates. Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax for 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $1.3 million, $4.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively. Dividends received from the Company’s equity method affiliates for the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011 were $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. There were no dividends received from the Company’s equity method affiliates for the year ended October 31, 2010. The Company has made loans to an entity deemed a VIE and accounted for as an equity method investment. These loans bear interest at various interest rates. The original principal balance of these loans was $22.2 million. As of October 31, 2012 these loans had an outstanding balance of $17.4 million.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests represent the portion of earnings or losses from the operations of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries attributable to unrelated third party equity owners that were deducted from net income to arrive at net income attributable to the Company. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $5.5 million, $2.9 million and $5.7 million, respectively

- Definition

The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group.

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