v2.4.0.6
Fair Value Table (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Securities segregated for regulatory purposes $ 2,447,389 $ 2,297,024
Financial instruments owned 3,822,315 3,617,879
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral 839,994 926,857
Total financial instruments owned 4,662,309 4,544,736
Other investments 124,839 116,232
Total financial assets, at fair value 7,234,537 6,957,992
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 4,367,387 4,286,260
Common Stock [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 999,035 887,031
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral 694,338 775,222
Other investments 19,331 21,256
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 1,801,394 1,787,741
Options [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 2,477,113 2,388,173
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 2,464,976 2,389,871
Warrants and discount certificates [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 153,403 147,317
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 3,243 2,104
U.S. and Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 36,922 30,087
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral 142,963 146,953
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 1,099 451
Warrants [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral 614 350
Corporate and municipal bonds [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 155,842 163,920
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral 2,079 4,332
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 92,245 102,543
Currency forward contracts [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 0 1,351
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 4,430 3,550
Other assets - investments [Member]
   
Other investments 105,508 94,976
Level 1
   
Securities segregated for regulatory purposes 2,447,389 2,297,024
Financial instruments owned 3,775,001 3,556,995
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral 839,994 926,857
Total financial instruments owned 4,614,995 4,483,852
Other investments 14,925 19,956
Total financial assets, at fair value 7,077,309 6,800,832
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 4,349,698 4,270,877
Level 1 | Common Stock [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 999,035 887,031
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral 694,338 775,222
Other investments 12,436 17,707
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 1,801,394 1,787,741
Level 1 | Options [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 2,477,113 2,388,173
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 2,464,976 2,389,871
Level 1 | Warrants and discount certificates [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 153,403 147,317
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 3,243 2,104
Level 1 | U.S. and Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 33,777 30,087
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral 142,963 146,953
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 0 451
Level 1 | Warrants [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral 614 350
Level 1 | Corporate and municipal bonds [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 111,673 104,387
Financial instruments owned and pledged as collateral 2,079 4,332
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 80,085 90,710
Level 1 | Other assets - investments [Member]
   
Other investments 2,489 2,249
Level 2
   
Financial instruments owned 47,314 60,884
Total financial instruments owned 47,314 60,884
Other investments 109,914 96,276
Total financial assets, at fair value 157,228 157,160
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 17,689 15,383
Level 2 | Common Stock [Member]
   
Other investments 6,895 3,549
Level 2 | U.S. and Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 3,145 0
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 1,099 0
Level 2 | Corporate and municipal bonds [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 44,169 59,533
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 12,160 11,833
Level 2 | Currency forward contracts [Member]
   
Financial instruments owned 0 1,351
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 4,430 3,550
Level 2 | Other assets - investments [Member]
   
Other investments 103,019 92,727
Level 3
   
Total financial assets, at fair value 0 0
Financial instruments sold but not yet purchased, at fair value $ 0 $ 0