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Reconciliations of Equity - Reconciliations of Total Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2015
Reconciliations of total equity |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  |  |  | $ 558,384 | $ 536,944
Net income |  | $ 20,432 | $ 24,934 | 75,959 | 63,161
Dividends |  |  |  | (12,732) | (12,067)
Common stock purchases | [1] |  |  | (2,643) | (2,273)
Stock option exercises |  |  |  | 3,290 | 431
Defined benefit pension adjustments, net of tax |  | 497 | 722 | 1,626 | 2,221
Translation adjustments |  | (2,213) | (19,793) | 7,685 | (38,988)
Derivative instrument activity, net of tax |  |  | (14) | (27) | (40)
Other | [2] |  |  | 8,190 | 3,617
Ending Balance |  | 639,732 | 553,006 | 639,732 | 553,006
Stepan Company Equity [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Reconciliations of total equity |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  |  |  | 556,984 | 535,546
Net income |  |  |  | 75,946 | 63,096
Dividends |  |  |  | (12,732) | (12,067)
Common stock purchases | [1] |  |  | (2,643) | (2,273)
Stock option exercises |  |  |  | 3,290 | 431
Defined benefit pension adjustments, net of tax |  |  |  | 1,626 | 2,221
Translation adjustments |  |  |  | 7,722 | (38,947)
Derivative instrument activity, net of tax |  |  |  | (27) | (40)
Other | [2] |  |  | 8,190 | 3,617
Ending Balance |  | 638,356 | 551,584 | 638,356 | 551,584
Noncontrolling Interests' Equity [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Reconciliations of total equity |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance | [3] |  |  | 1,400 | 1,398
Net income | [3] |  |  | 13 | 65
Translation adjustments | [3] |  |  | (37) | (41)
Ending Balance | [3] | $ 1,376 | $ 1,422 | $ 1,376 | $ 1,422
[1] | Includes the value of Company shares purchased in the open market and the value of Company common shares tendered by employees to settle minimum statutory withholding taxes related to the receipt of performance awards and deferred compensation distributions.
[2] | Primarily comprised of activity related to stock-based compensation, deferred compensation and the related excess tax benefits.
[3] | Reflects the noncontrolling interest in the Company’s China joint venture.

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