v3.19.1

Counterparty Risk (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Investments held with dealers as collateral		$ 1,790,000	$ 1,850,000
Pledged Financial Instruments, Not Separately Reported, Securities For Repurchase Agreements Unsettled	$ 86,700	$ 86,700	20,700
Concentration risk threshold	15.00%	15.00%
Unencumbered investments held in custody		$ 13,300
Cash and cash equivalents(1)	$ 44,700	$ 44,656	$ 55,876	[1]
[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.

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- Definition

Threshold used by the Company to determine disclosure of counterparty concentration risk.

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of securities that are free and clear of any encumbrances such as reverse repurchase agreements.

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The carrying amount as of the date of the latest financial statement presented of securities which are owned but transferred to serve as collateral for repurchase agreements, and for which the transferee does not have the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge them to an unrelated party.

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