Gfi (GFIG) 10-Q 10 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'GFI Group Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001292426	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	127,501,200
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$165,850	$174,606
Cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations	54,907	62,863
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,957 and $1,958 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	104,789	87,502
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	723,869	295,727
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of depreciation and amortization of $196,986 and $188,196 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	59,990	61,396
Goodwill	134,702	255,920
Intangible assets, net	38,132	45,684
Other assets	191,822	177,844
TOTAL ASSETS	1,474,061	1,161,542
LIABILITIES	'	'
Accrued compensation	67,308	77,841
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	49,339	37,409
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	586,793	126,900
Payables to clearing services customers	134,958	177,523
Short-term borrowings	10,000	10,000
Long-term debt	240,000	240,000
Other liabilities	83,088	83,071
Total Liabilities	1,171,486	752,744
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 144,361,405 and 140,599,626 shares issued at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	1,443	1,405
Additional paid in capital	396,124	393,965
Retained (deficit) earnings	-24,492	83,180
Treasury stock, 16,929,318 and 17,312,957 shares of common stock at cost, at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	-74,059	-75,018
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,902	3,744
Total Stockholders' Equity	300,918	407,276
Non-controlling interests	1,657	1,522
Total Equity	302,575	408,798
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$1,474,061	$1,161,542

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$1,957	$1,958
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, depreciation and amortization	$196,986	$188,196
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	144,361,405	140,599,626
Treasury stock, common shares at cost	16,929,318	17,312,957

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Agency commissions	$112,303	$109,365	$343,410	$358,413
Principal transactions	41,453	41,841	139,090	143,468
Total brokerage revenues	153,756	151,206	482,500	501,881
Clearing services revenues	26,373	32,722	89,139	110,225
Interest income from clearing services	579	455	1,679	1,623
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated businesses	639	1,566	4,686	6,925
Software, analytics and market data	26,095	22,472	77,455	66,438
Other income, net	2,859	4,012	13,686	12,011
Total revenues	210,301	212,433	669,145	699,103
Interest and transaction-based expenses	'	'	'	'
Transaction fees on clearing services	24,786	31,620	84,362	106,952
Transaction fees on brokerage services	4,330	4,430	14,488	15,572
Interest expense from clearing services	206	143	560	390
Total interest and transaction-based expenses	29,322	36,193	99,410	122,914
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	180,979	176,240	569,735	576,189
Expenses	'	'	'	'
Compensation and employee benefits	122,720	121,109	390,420	392,737
Communications and market data	13,335	13,747	40,202	41,077
Travel and promotion	7,184	7,380	22,924	23,298
Rent and occupancy	7,835	7,901	23,811	22,152
Depreciation and amortization	8,480	8,320	25,873	24,962
Professional fees	13,650	5,712	29,928	18,824
Interest on borrowings	8,466	7,612	24,393	22,475
Impairment of goodwill	'	'	121,619	'
Other expenses	6,825	5,615	21,526	24,138
Total other expenses	188,495	177,396	700,696	569,663
(Loss) income before benefit from income taxes	-7,516	-1,156	-130,961	6,526
Benefit from income taxes	-56	-1,127	-30,239	-5,267
Net (loss) income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders	-7,460	-29	-100,722	11,793
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	231	432	762	889
GFI's net (loss) income	($7,691)	($461)	($101,484)	$10,904
(Loss) earnings per share available to common stockholders	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.06)	$0	($0.82)	$0.09
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.06)	$0	($0.82)	$0.09
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	125,407,225	120,331,179	124,237,643	118,138,756
Diluted (in shares)	125,407,225	120,331,179	124,237,643	126,858,459
Dividends declared per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.05	$0.10	$0.10

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (UNAUDITED)	'	'		'		'
Net (loss) income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders	($7,460)	($29)		($100,722)		$11,793
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'		'		'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-5,458	7,722		-1,066		-3,074
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax(1)	'	316	[1]	-1,069	[1]	748	[1]
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	-5,458	8,038		-2,135		-2,326
Comprehensive (loss) income including non-controlling stockholders	-12,918	8,009		-102,857		9,467
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non-controlling stockholders	-50	595		469		968
GFI's comprehensive (loss) income	($12,868)	$7,414		($103,326)		$8,499
[1]	Amounts are net of provision for income taxes of $0 and $97 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amounts are net of (benefit from) provision for income taxes of $(341) and $227 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (UNAUDITED)	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, (benefit from) provision for income taxes	$0	$97	($341)	$227

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net (loss) income before attribution to non-controlling stockholders	($100,722)	$11,793
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	25,873	24,962
Share-based compensation	18,955	22,414
Tax expense related to share-based compensation	821	1,877
Amortization of prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans	17,893	19,904
Benefit from deferred taxes	-44,135	-12,155
(Gains) losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts, net	-3,389	1,516
Earnings from equity method investments, net	473	-1,931
Amortization of deferred financing fees	1,376	1,649
Mark-to-market of future purchase commitment	'	-2,203
Mark-to-market of contingent consideration liabilities	-2,832	'
Impairment charges	122,230	'
Translation gain on liquidation of foreign subsidiary	'	-1,645
Other non-cash charges, net	629	257
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:	'	'
Cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations	7,956	-13,289
Accounts receivable	-17,609	-21,460
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	-428,142	-394,333
Other assets	-9,302	15,098
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:	'	'
Accrued compensation	-10,618	-16,150
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	10,853	12,006
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	459,893	348,125
Payables to clearing services customers	-42,565	-3,412
Other liabilities	3,054	4,235
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	10,692	-2,742
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and purchases of intangible and other assets	'	-1,650
Proceeds from disposition of interests in unconsolidated businesses	8,140	'
Return of capital from unconsolidated businesses	413	2,962
Proceeds from disposition of available-for-sale securities	5,882	68
Purchases of interests in unconsolidated businesses	'	-13,109
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	-5,842	-10,213
Capitalization of internally developed software	-6,232	-7,525
Proceeds on foreign exchange derivative contracts	2,605	1,377
Payments on foreign exchange derivative contracts	-550	-2,445
Other, net	58	-644
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	4,474	-31,179
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	160,000	125,000
Repayment of short-term borrowings	-160,000	-115,000
Repurchase and retirement of a portion of long-term debt	'	-9,385
Cash dividends paid to common stockholders	-12,482	-12,095
Shares withheld for taxes on vested restricted stock units	-9,114	-8,679
Tax expense related to share-based compensation	-821	-1,877
Other, net	25	-1,587
Cash used in financing activities	-22,392	-23,623
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,530	-1,019
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-8,756	-58,563
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	174,606	227,441
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	165,850	168,878
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	29,663	25,687
Cash paid for income taxes	11,667	10,189
Cash received from income tax refunds	899	2,382
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:	'	'
Purchase of property and equipment through seller financing arrangement	$1,229	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	Total		Total Stockholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid In Capital	Treasury Stock	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Non-Controlling Interests
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$408,798		$407,276	$1,405	$393,965	($75,018)	$83,180	$3,744	$1,522
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'		'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of treasury stock	4		4	'	-955	959	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock for exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units	460		460	38	422	'	'	'	'
Withholding of restricted stock units in satisfaction of tax requirements	-9,114		-9,114	'	-9,114	'	'	'	'
Tax expense associated with share-based awards	-821		-821	'	-821	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,066		-773	'	'	'	'	-773	-293
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	-1,069	[1]	-1,069	'	'	'	'	-1,069	'
Dividends to stockholders	-12,482		-12,482	'	-6,294	'	-6,188	'	'
Share-based compensation	18,938		18,938	'	18,938	'	'	'	'
Other capital adjustments	-351		-17	'	-17	'	'	'	-334
Net (loss) income	-100,722		-101,484	'	'	'	-101,484	'	762
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$302,575		$300,918	$1,443	$396,124	($74,059)	($24,492)	$1,902	$1,657
[1]	Amounts are net of provision for income taxes of $0 and $97 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amounts are net of (benefit from) provision for income taxes of $(341) and $227 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

ORGANIZATION_AND_BUSINESS

ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS	'
ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS	'
	1.     ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
	The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of GFI Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “GFI” or the “Company”). The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides wholesale brokerage and trade execution services, clearing services and trading system software products to institutional clients in markets for a range of fixed income, financial, equity and commodity instruments. The Company complements its brokerage and trade execution capabilities with value-added services, such as market data and analytical software products for trader and back-office support, which it licenses primarily to companies in the financial services industry. As of September 30, 2014, Jersey Partners, Inc. (“JPI”) owned approximately 37% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. The Company’s executive chairman, Michael Gooch, is the controlling shareholder of JPI.

CME_MERGER_AND_UNSOLICITED_TEN

CME MERGER AND UNSOLICITED TENDER OFFER BY BGC	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
CME MERGER AND UNSOLICITED TENDER OFFER BY BGC	'
CME MERGER AND UNSOLICITED TENDER OFFER BY BGC	'
	2.     CME MERGER AND UNSOLICITED TENDER OFFER BY BGC
	On July 30, 2014, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “CME Merger Agreement”) with CME Group Inc. (“CME”) whereby the Company agreed to merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of CME (the “CME Merger”). At the effective time of the CME Merger, each share of GFI common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time will be converted into the right to receive a fraction of a share (the “Exchange Ratio”) of CME Class A common stock (“CME Class A Common Stock”).  The Exchange Ratio is a fraction, the numerator of which equals $4.55 and the denominator of which equals the average closing sales price of CME Class A Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the ten trading days ending upon and including the trading day immediately before the closing date of the CME Merger.  Concurrently with the CME Merger, pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger entered into on July 30, 2014, JPI will merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of CME and immediately following the CME Merger, pursuant to a purchase agreement entered into on July 30, 2014, a private consortium of current GFI management will acquire GFI’s wholesale brokerage and clearing businesses for $165,000 in cash and the assumption, at closing, of approximately $63,000 of unvested deferred compensation and other obligations.  These transactions, which are expected to close during the first quarter of 2015, are subject to approval by GFI shareholders, including the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested GFI shareholders, as well as customary regulatory review and approvals. Upon the closing of the transactions, GFI’s wholesale brokerage business, including the Kyte Group, is expected to continue as a privately owned company.
	On September 8, 2014, Shaun D. Lynn, President of BGC Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“BGC”), sent a letter to the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) notifying the Board of BGC’s plan to commence a tender offer for 100% of the outstanding common stock of the Company at $5.25 per share in cash (the “BGC Proposal”). On September 11, 2014, following consultation with its legal and financial advisors, a special committee of the Company board of directors (the “Special Committee”) unanimously determined, which determination is required pursuant to the CME Merger Agreement, that the BGC Proposal could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal (as defined in the CME Merger Agreement).  Following the meeting of the Special Committee, the Board met and determined in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel and independent financial advisors, that the BGC Proposal could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal. On September 15, 2014, the Company issued a press release indicating the same.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	3.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation— The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingencies in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain estimates and assumptions relate to the accounting for acquired goodwill and intangible assets, fair value measurements, compensation accruals, tax liabilities and the potential outcome of litigation matters. Management believes that the estimates utilized in the preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, including amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Note 14, Derivative Financial Instruments. The Company has revised its tables summarizing (i) Derivative contracts, by counterparty and (ii) Fair values of derivative contracts on a gross and net basis, within Note 14, to exclude gross balances associated with long and short futures contracts.  The Company continues to include variation margin on open futures contract within Receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
	These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”). The condensed consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2013 presented in this Form 10-Q has been derived from audited Consolidated Financial Statements not included herein.
	These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. These adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Interim period operating results may not be indicative of the operating results for a full year.
	Consolidation Policies
	General— The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries that are treated as such and other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. For consolidated subsidiaries that are less than wholly-owned, equity interests that are not owned by the Company are referred to as non-controlling interests. The portion of net income attributable to non-controlling interests for such subsidiaries is presented as Net income attributable to non-controlling interests on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the portion of the stockholders’ equity of such subsidiaries is presented as Non-controlling interests in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
	Variable Interest Entities—The Company determines whether it holds any interests in entities deemed to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”). A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the following characteristics (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance, the obligation to absorb the losses of the entity and the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The Company has a controlling financial interest and will consolidate a VIE if it is the primary beneficiary.
	The primary beneficiary is the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could be potentially significant. As of September 30, 2014, the Company holds interests in certain VIEs. One of these VIEs is consolidated because it was determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of this VIE because (1) the Company provided the majority of the VIE’s start-up capital and (2) the Company has consent rights regarding those activities that the Company believes would most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity. The remaining VIEs are not consolidated as it was determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary due to the level of equity ownership and voting power.  The Company reassesses its evaluation of whether an entity is a VIE when certain events occur, such as changes in economic ownership and voting power.  The Company reassesses its determination of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis based on current facts and circumstances.  See Note 15 for disclosures on Variable Interest Entities.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents— Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less.
	Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal and Other Regulations—The Company holds cash and securities representing funds received in connection with customer trading activities. The Company’s subsidiaries are required to satisfy regulations mandated by their primary regulators to segregate or set aside cash or equivalent securities to satisfy regulations, promulgated to protect customer assets.
	Accounts Receivable —Accounts receivable largely represents commissions due from brokers, dealers, banks and other financial and nonfinancial institutions for the execution of securities, commodities, foreign exchange and other derivative brokerage transactions. Also, included within Accounts receivable are the billed portion of existing contracts from customers related to the licensing, support and maintenance of software, analytics and market data, as well as any unbilled but earned portion of any services provided to such customers. In estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts, management considers the length of time receivables are past due and historical experience. In addition, if the Company is aware of a client’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific provision for doubtful accounts is recorded in the amount of the estimated losses that will result from the inability of that client to meet its financial obligation.
	Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations—Receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations primarily represent: (i) principal transactions for which the stated settlement dates have not yet been reached, (ii) principal transactions which have not settled as of their stated settlement dates, (iii) cash, including deposits, held at clearing organizations and exchanges in support of the Company’s clearing business and to facilitate settlement and clearance of matched principal transactions and (iv) the spread on matched principal transactions that have not yet been remitted from/to clearing organizations and exchanges.
	Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements—Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method, generally over three to seven years. Property and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the remaining term of the respective lease to which they relate or the remaining useful life of the leasehold improvement. Internal and external costs incurred in developing or obtaining computer software for internal use are capitalized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, generally three years. General and administrative costs related to developing or obtaining such software are expensed as incurred.
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets—Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price allocation over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired. The goodwill associated with each business combination is allocated to the related reporting units, which are determined based on how the Company’s businesses are managed and how they are reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker. Other intangible assets are recorded at their fair value upon completion of a business combination or certain other transactions. Substantially all of the firm’s identifiable intangible assets are considered to have definite lives and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.
	In accordance with ASC 350, goodwill is not amortized, but instead is periodically tested for impairment. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of November 1 of each fiscal year or whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. See Note 5 for further information.
	Prepaid Bonuses and Forgivable Employee Loans—Prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans to employees are stated at historical value net of amortization when the agreement between the Company and the employee provides for the return of proportionate amounts of the bonus or loan outstanding if employment is terminated in certain circumstances prior to the end of the term of the agreement. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the term of the contract, which is generally two to four years, and is recorded in Compensation and employee benefits. The Company generally expects to recover the unamortized portion of prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans when employees voluntarily terminate their employment or if their employment is terminated for cause prior to the end of the term of the agreement. The prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans are included in Other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had prepaid bonuses of $18,957 and $23,499, respectively. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had forgivable employee loans and advances to employees of $17,645 and $24,109, respectively. Amortization of prepaid bonuses and forgivable employee loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $17,893 and $19,904, respectively and is included within Compensation and employee benefits.
	Investments—When the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity but can exert significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies, the investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323-10, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323-10”). Significant influence generally exists when the Company owns 20% to 50% of the entity’s common stock or in-substance common stock. The Company initially records the investment at cost and adjusts the carrying amount each period to recognize its share of the earnings and losses of the investee based on the percentage of ownership. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had equity method investments with a carrying value of $28,716 and $36,976, respectively, included within Other assets. The Company also provides clearing and other administrative services to certain of these equity method investees.
	Investments for which the Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence over operating and financial policies are generally accounted for using the cost method of accounting in accordance with ASC 325-10, Investments—Other (“ASC 325-10”). At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had cost method investments of $1,778 and $5,087, respectively, included within Other assets.  The fair value of the Company’s cost method investments are not estimated if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value. The Company monitors its equity and cost method investments for indicators of impairment each reporting period.
	The Company accounts for its marketable equity securities and its debt securities in accordance with ASC 320-10, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities (“ASC 323-10”). Investments that are owned by the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries are recorded at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses reported in net (loss) income. Investments designated as available-for-sale that are owned by the Company’s non broker-dealer subsidiaries are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a separate component of other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax.  The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities was $0 and $5,465 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and is included within Other assets.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments—In accordance with ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820-10”), the Company estimates fair values of financial instruments using relevant market information and other assumptions. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment in interpreting market data and, accordingly, changes in assumptions or in market conditions could adversely affect the estimates. The Company also discloses the fair value of its financial instruments in accordance with the fair value hierarchy as set forth by ASC 820-10. See Note 13 for further information.
	Derivative Financial Instruments—The Company enters into derivative transactions for a variety of reasons, including managing its exposure to risk arising from changes in foreign currency, facilitating customer trading activities and, in certain instances, to engage in principal trading for the Company’s own account. Derivative assets and liabilities are carried on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Contracts entered into to manage risk arising from changes in foreign currency are recognized in Other income, net and contracts entered into to facilitate customer transactions and principal trading are recognized in Principal transactions. Derivatives are reported on a net-by-counterparty basis when management believes that a legal and enforceable right of offset exists under these agreements. See Note 14 for further information.
	Payables to Clearing Services Customers—Payables to clearing services customers include amounts due on cash and margin transactions, including futures contracts transacted on behalf of customers.
	Revenue Recognition
	Brokerage Transactions—The Company provides brokerage services to its clients in the form of either agency or principal transactions. In agency transactions, the Company charges commissions for executing transactions between buyers and sellers. Agency commission revenues and related expenses are recognized on a trade date basis. These revenues are presented in “Agency Commissions”.  Principal transactions revenue is primarily derived from matched principal and principal trading transactions. Principal transactions revenues and related expenses are recognized on a trade date basis. The Company earns revenue from principal transactions on the spread between the buy and sell price of the security that is brokered. In matched principal transactions, the Company simultaneously agrees to buy instruments from one customer and sell them to another customer. These revenues are presented in “Principal Transactions”.  In the normal course of its matched principal and principal trading businesses, the Company may hold security positions overnight. These positions are marked to market on a daily basis.
	Clearing Services Revenues—The Company charges fees to customers for clearing services provided for cash and derivative transactions. Clearing services revenues are recorded on a trade date basis as customer transactions occur and are presented net of any customer negotiated rebates.
	Software, Analytics and Market Data Revenue Recognition— Software revenue consists primarily of fees charged for Trayport electronic trading software, which are typically billed on a subscription basis and are recognized ratably over the term of the subscription period, which ranges from one to five years. Analytics revenue consists primarily of software license fees for Fenics pricing tools which are typically billed on a subscription basis, and is recognized ratably over the term of the subscription period, which is generally three years. Market data revenue primarily consists of subscription fees and fees from customized one-time sales.  Market data subscription fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the subscription period, which ranges from one to two years. Market data revenue from customized one-time sales is recognized upon delivery of the data. The Company markets its software, analytics and market data products through its direct sales force and, in some cases, indirectly through resellers. In general, the Company’s license agreements for such products do not provide for a right of return.
	Other Income, net—Included within Other income, net on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are revaluations of foreign currency derivative contracts, realized and unrealized transaction gains and losses on certain foreign currency denominated items, and gains and losses on certain investments, and interest income earned on short-term investments.
	Compensation and Employee Benefits—The Company’s compensation and employee benefits have both a fixed and variable component. Base salaries and benefit costs are primarily fixed for all employees while bonuses constitute the variable portion of compensation and employee benefits. The Company may pay certain performance bonuses in restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or as deferred cash awards, both of which generally vest over a future service period. The Company also may grant sign-on and retention bonuses for certain newly-hired or existing employees who agree to long-term employment agreements.
	Share-Based Compensation—The Company’s share-based compensation consists of RSUs. The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation— Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). This accounting guidance requires measurement of compensation expense for equity-based awards at fair value and recognition of compensation expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. In all periods presented, the only share-based compensation expense recognized by the Company has been RSUs. The Company determines the fair value of RSUs based on the number of units granted and the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock, measured as of the closing price on the date of grant. See Note 10 for further information.
	Deferred Cash Compensation—The Company accounts for deferred cash compensation in accordance with ASC 710 Compensation— General (“ASC 710”). This accounting guidance requires measurement of deferred compensation expense for non-equity-based awards based upon future benefits expected to be paid, and provides for recognition of compensation expense over the expected service period, net of estimated forfeitures. See Note 10 for further information.
	Income Taxes— In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), the Company provides for income taxes using the asset and liability method under which deferred income taxes are recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards that result from events that have been recognized either in the financial statements or the income tax returns, but not both. The measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws. Valuation allowances are recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management applies the more likely than not criteria prior to recognizing a financial statement benefit for a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense and other expense, respectively.
	The Company recorded a benefit from income taxes of $56 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $1,127 for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The net decrease in benefit from income taxes was primarily due to U.S. taxes associated with repatriations of earnings from the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries.  The remaining change in income tax expense relative to the same period in 2013 is primarily due to a change in the geographical mix of pre-tax profits and losses.
	The Company recorded a benefit from income taxes of $30,239 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $5,267 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The benefit from income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily a result of a $29,151 discrete tax benefit attributable to non-cash goodwill impairment charges recorded in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2014.  The nine months ended September 30, 2013 were primarily impacted by the following items:  (i) a tax benefit of $2,655 under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 related to taxes previously provided for, (ii) a tax benefit of $1,177 arising from a change in our view about the deductibility of a reserve previously deemed nondeductible, as a result of new information received in the first quarter of 2013 and (iii) the release of a tax liability of $1,359 in a foreign subsidiary where the statute of limitations has now expired.  The effective tax rates for both periods were impacted by a geographical mix of pre-tax profits and losses.
	Treasury Stock—The Company accounts for Treasury stock using the cost method. Treasury stock held by the Company may be reissued with respect to vested RSUs in qualified jurisdictions. The Company’s policy is to account for these shares as a reduction of Treasury stock on a first-in, first-out basis.
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and Transactions— Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at the period end rates of exchange, and revenue and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange for the period. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are reflected in foreign currency translation adjustments and are reported as a separate component of comprehensive (loss) income and included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. The revaluation of asset and liability balances that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the business unit involved in such transactions is reflected in Other Income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net gains (losses) resulting from remeasurement of foreign currency transactions and balances were $(2,809) and $2,212 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $(2,694) and $1,757 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements—In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters” (“ASU 2013-05”), which clarifies the accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment when a parent either sells or transfers a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a foreign subsidiary or group of assets. ASU 2013-05 provides that the parent should release cumulative translation adjustment into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. This guidance was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2014, and is being applied prospectively.  The adoption of ASU 2013-05 does not have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, unless such tax loss or credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes resulting from the disallowance of a tax position. In the event that the tax position is disallowed or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit shall be presented in the financial statements as a liability and shall not be combined with deferred tax assets. The guidance was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2014, and is being applied prospectively. The Company does not expect that the adoption of ASU 2013-11 will have a material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”). ASU 2014-08 changes the criteria for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations and requires new disclosures about disposals of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the new definition. The guidance is effective beginning in the first quarter of 2015. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 defines how companies report revenues from contracts with customers, and also requires enhanced disclosures. The guidance is effective beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This standard sets forth management’s responsibility to evaluate, each reporting period, whether there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and if so, to provide related footnote disclosures. The guidance is effective for the Company’s 2016 annual financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

RECEIVABLES_FROM_AND_PAYABLES_

RECEIVABLES FROM AND PAYABLES TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
RECEIVABLES FROM AND PAYABLES TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS	'
RECEIVABLES FROM AND PAYABLES TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS	'
	4.     RECEIVABLES FROM AND PAYABLES TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS
	Amounts receivable from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:
	Contract value of fails to deliver	$	585,618	$	123,470
	Receivables from and deposits with clearing organizations and financial institutions	132,329		172,257
	Net pending trades	5,922		—
	Total	$	723,869	$	295,727
	Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:
	Contract value of fails to receive	$	570,361	$	123,393
	Payables to clearing organizations and financial institutions	16,432		3,052
	Net pending trades	—		455
	Total	$	586,793	$	126,900
	Substantially all fail to deliver and fail to receive balances at September 30, 2014 have subsequently settled at the contracted amounts. All fail to deliver and fail to receive balances at December 31, 2013 have subsequently settled at the contracted amounts.
	In addition to the balances above, the Company had Payables to clearing services customers of $134,958 and $177,523 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. These amounts represent cash payable to the Company’s clearing customers that is held at the Company’s third-party general clearing members and are included within Cash and cash equivalents, Cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations or Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,661	—
	Cash segregated under federal and other regulations	54,745		62,684
	Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	77,552		114,839
	Total	$	134,958	$	177,523

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	5.     GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Goodwill—Changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:
		December 31,		Goodwill		Impairment			Adjustments			Foreign currency		September 30,
		2013		acquired		charges						translation		2014
	Goodwill
	Americas Brokerage	$	83,289	$	—	$	(83,289	)	$	—		$	—	$	—
	EMEA Brokerage	14,637		—		(14,790		)	—			153		—
	Clearing and Backed Trading	23,259		—		(23,540		)	—			281		—
	All Other	134,735		—		—			(60		)	27		134,702
		$	255,920	$	—	$	(121,619	)	$	(60	)	$	461	$	134,702
	Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently when indicators of impairment exist. All of the Company’s goodwill is allocated to its reporting units and the goodwill impairment tests are performed at the reporting unit level. The Company determined its reporting units to be Americas Brokerage; Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) Brokerage; Asia Brokerage; Clearing and Backed Trading; Trayport; and Fenics. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test as of November 1st of each fiscal year.  Based on the results of the most recent annual impairment tests performed as of November 1, 2013, an impairment charge of $18,918 was recognized at the Clearing and Backed Trading reporting unit during the fourth quarter of 2013, while the Americas Brokerage reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value by less than 10%.
	Certain factors may result in the need to perform an impairment test prior to the annual impairment testing date, including significant under-performance of the Company’s business relative to expected operating results, significant adverse economic and industry trends, significant decline in the Company’s market capitalization for an extended period of time relative to net book value, and events affecting a reporting unit such as the expectation of disposing all, or a portion of, a reporting unit. As discussed in Note 2, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with CME whereby CME will acquire all of the outstanding shares of GFI.  Immediately following CME’s acquisition of GFI, a private consortium of current GFI management will acquire GFI’s brokerage and clearing businesses for $165,000 in cash and the assumption, at closing, of approximately $63,000 of unvested deferred compensation and other obligations.  The agreements with CME indicated potential impairment of the Americas and EMEA brokerage and clearing and backed trading reporting units.  As a result, the Company conducted an impairment analysis on those reporting units during the second quarter of 2014.  During this interim impairment testing it was determined that the carrying value as of June 30, 2014 of the Americas Brokerage, EMEA Brokerage and Clearing and Backed Trading reporting units exceeded the fair value indicated by the transaction price.  Consequently, the Company performed a second step to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any, to each reporting unit’s goodwill.  As a result, the Company determined that the fair value of each reporting unit’s goodwill was $0, resulting in impairment charges to write-off the $121,619 in goodwill detailed in the table above.
	Intangible Assets—Intangible assets consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated		Net			Gross			Accumulated		Net
		amount		amortization		carrying			amount			amortization		carrying
				and foreign		value						and foreign		value
				currency								currency
				translation								translation
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	77,196	$	48,134	$	29,062		$	77,196		$	42,151	$	35,045
	Trade names	8,951		7,070		1,881			8,951			6,674		2,277
	Core technology	11,950		6,968		4,982			11,950			6,285		5,665
	Non-compete agreements	3,865		3,515		350			3,865			3,478		387
	Favorable lease agreements	620		620		—			620			580		40
	Patents	3,131		1,595		1,536			3,131			1,221		1,910
	Other	647		326		321			647			287		360
	Total	$	106,360	$	68,228	$	38,132		$	106,360		$	60,676	$	45,684
	Intangible amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $2,438 and $2,339, respectively. Intangible amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $7,355 and $7,308, respectively.
	At September 30, 2014, expected amortization expense for the definite lived intangible assets is as follows:
	2014 (remaining three months)	$	2,377
	2015	9,443
	2016	7,574
	2017	4,302
	2018	3,481
	Thereafter	10,955
	Total	$	38,132

OTHER_ASSETS_AND_OTHER_LIABILI

OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES	'
OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES	'
	6.     OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
	Other assets consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Deferred tax assets	$	88,559	$	45,694
	Investments accounted for under the cost method and equity method	30,494		42,063
	Prepaid bonuses	18,957		23,499
	Forgivable employee loans and advances to employees	17,645		24,109
	Deferred financing fees	5,510		6,786
	Software inventory, net	4,103		4,749
	Financial instruments owned	1,834		1,416
	Other	24,720		29,528
	Total Other assets	$	191,822	$	177,844
	Other liabilities consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Payroll related liabilities	$	29,040	$	15,896
	Deferred revenues	9,765		9,199
	Unrecognized tax benefits	8,396		8,676
	Deferred tax liabilities	6,056		6,835
	Contingent consideration liabilities	1,293		4,317
	Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	865		993
	Other	27,673		37,155
	Total Other liabilities	$	83,088	$	83,071

SHORTTERM_BORROWINGS_AND_LONGT

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT	'
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT	'
	7.     SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT
	The Company’s outstanding debt obligations consisted of the following:
			September 30,				December 31,
			2014				2013
	8.375% Senior Notes due 2018		$	240,000			$	240,000
	Loans pursuant to Credit Agreement		10,000				10,000
	Total		$	250,000			$	250,000
	The Company’s debt obligations are carried at historical amounts. The fair value of the Company’s Long-term debt obligations, categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, is measured primarily using pricing service data from external providers.  The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s Long-term debt obligations are as follows:
			September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
			Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
			Amount				Amount
	8.375% Senior Notes	$	240,000	$	283,800	$	240,000	$	251,100
	8.375% Senior Notes
	In July 2011, the Company issued $250,000 in aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Notes (the “8.375% Senior Notes”) due 2018 in a private offering (the “Offering”) to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A and to certain persons in offshore transactions pursuant to Regulation S, each under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  The notes were priced to investors at 100% of their principal amount, and mature in July 2018. Interest on these notes is payable, semi-annually in arrears on the 19th of January and July. Transaction costs of approximately $9,100 related to the 8.375% Senior Notes were deferred and are being amortized over the term of the notes.  On December 21, 2011, the Company completed an exchange offer for the 8.375% Senior Notes whereby it exchanged $250,000 in aggregate principal amount of the 8.375% Senior Notes for 8.375% Senior Notes that are registered under the Securities Act.
	In March 2013, the Company repurchased $10,000 principal amount of its 8.375% Senior Notes on the open market for an aggregate purchase price of $9,602, including accrued interest and sales commissions. The Company funded the repurchase of these notes with borrowings under its Credit Agreement.
	On January 18, 2013, Moody’s Investor Services lowered its credit rating on the Company’s 8.375% Senior Notes two notches to B1, which increased the Company’s applicable per annum interest, effective January 19, 2013, by an additional 50 basis points. On April 19, 2013, Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) further lowered its credit rating on the Company’s 8.375% Senior Notes two notches to BB and revised its outlook from Stable to Negative. This credit rating downgrade by Fitch increased our applicable per annum interest by an additional 50 basis points, effective July 19, 2013. On June 26, 2013, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) further lowered its credit rating on the Company’s 8.375% Senior Notes one notch to B+ and revised its outlook from Negative to Stable. This credit rating downgrade by S&P increased the Company’s applicable per annum interest by an additional 25 basis points, effective July 19, 2013.
	Pursuant to the terms of the 8.375% Senior Notes, the cumulative effect of downgrades to the Company’s credit rating by rating agencies subsequent to the issuance of our 8.375% Senior Notes resulted in 200 basis points penalty interest, which is the maximum increase permitted under the indenture. The additional 200 basis points of interest equates to $4,800 in additional interest expense per annum, based on the aggregate amount of outstanding principal as of September 30, 2014.
	At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unamortized deferred financing fees related to the 8.375% Senior Notes of $4,733 and $5,669, respectively, were recorded within Other assets and the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants.
	Credit Agreement
	In March 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to its second amended and restated credit agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. and certain other lenders. The Credit Agreement provided for maximum revolving loans of up to $75,000 until December 2013, at which time $18,750 of the lender commitments were due to mature and the remaining $56,250 of lender commitments were due to mature in December 2015.
	On December 9, 2013, the various lenders under the Credit Agreement executed an assignment and assumption agreement pursuant to which the extending lenders under the Credit Agreement assumed the lender commitments of the non-extending lender and the Company consented to the assignment.  As a result, the borrowing capacity will remain at $75,000 until the Credit Agreement matures in December 2015. The Credit Agreement provides for up to $50,000 for letters of credit.
	The Credit Agreement contains certain financial and other covenants. In July 2014 we entered into an agreement to amend and restate the Credit Agreement. The financial covenants contained in our Credit Agreement require that we maintain minimum consolidated capital, as defined, of no less than $375,000 at any time.  The $121,619 in goodwill impairment recorded in the three months ended June 30, 2014 reduced our consolidated capital below $375,000. The amendment executed in July 2014 reduces the required minimum amount of consolidated capital by any goodwill or asset impairment charge in an aggregate amount not to exceed $160,000 contained in our financial statements in any of the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2014. The Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Revolving loans may be either base rate loans or Eurocurrency rate loans. Eurocurrency rate loans bear interest at the annualized rate of one-month LIBOR plus the application margin and base rate loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to a prime rate plus the applicable margin. Letter of credit fees per annum are equal to the applicable margin times the outstanding amount drawn under such letter of credit. As long as no default has occurred under the Credit Agreement, the applicable margin for base rate and Eurocurrency rate loans and letters of credit is based on a matrix that varies with a ratio of outstanding debt to EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement.
	The interest rate of the outstanding loan under the Credit Agreement was 3.40% at September 30, 2014. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unamortized deferred financing fees related to the Credit Agreement of $777 and $1,117, respectively, were recorded within Other assets.

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'
	8.     STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	In August 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to implement a stock repurchase program to repurchase a limited number of shares of the Company’s common stock. Under the repurchase plan, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market in such amounts as determined by the Company’s management, provided, however, such amounts are not to exceed, during any calendar year, the number of shares issued upon the exercise of stock options plus the number of shares underlying grants of RSUs that are granted or which management reasonably anticipates will be granted in such calendar year. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, and September 30, 2013 the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.
	On each of March 28 and May 30, 2014 the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.05 per share, which, based on the number of shares outstanding on the record date for such dividends, totaled $6,188 and $6,294, respectively.  During the second quarter of 2014, as a result of the pending CME Merger, the payment of a quarterly dividend was suspended, and accordingly, the Company did not pay a cash dividend during the third quarter of 2014. On May 31, 2013 and August 30, 2013, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.05 per share, which, based upon the number of shares outstanding on the record date for such dividends, totaled $5,999 and $6,096, respectively. In December 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend for the fourth quarter of 2012 on an accelerated basis. The dividend was declared and paid in December 2012 and the Company, therefore, did not pay a cash dividend during the first quarter of 2013.

LOSS_EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	9.     (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic (loss) earnings per share for common stock is calculated by dividing net (loss) income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted (loss) earnings per share is calculated by dividing net (loss) income by the sum of: (i) the weighted average number of shares outstanding, (ii) outstanding stock options and RSUs (using the “treasury stock” method when the impact of such options and RSUs would be dilutive), and (iii) any contingently issuable shares when dilutive.
	Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Basic (loss) earnings per share
	GFI’s net (loss) income	$	(7,691	)	$	(461	)	$	(101,484	)	$	10,904
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	125,407,225			120,331,179			124,237,643			118,138,756
	Basic (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.00	)	$	(0.82	)	$	0.09
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share
	GFI’s net (loss) income	$	(7,691	)	$	(461	)	$	(101,484	)	$	10,904
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	125,407,225			120,331,179			124,237,643			118,138,756
	Effect of dilutive options, RSUs, and other contingently issuable shares	—			—			—			8,719,703
	Weighted average shares outstanding and common stock equivalents	125,407,225			120,331,179			124,237,643			126,858,459
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.00	)	$	(0.82	)	$	0.09
	As a result of the net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and three months ended September 30, 2013, the following stock options, RSUs and contingently issuable shares outstanding were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for each respective period, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive:
		Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013			2014
	Stock Options	$	6,316		$	356,008		$	6,316
	RSUs	14,552,349			18,683,552			14,552,349
	Contingently issuable shares	1,171,879			1,171,879			1,171,879
	Excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 because their effect would be anti-dilutive were the following:
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013
	Stock Options	$	69,476
	RSUs	2,660,905
	Included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, but not in the computation of basic earnings per share as the conditions for issuance were not satisfied as of the respective reporting period were 2,736,121 contingently issuable shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

DEFERRED_COMPENSATION

DEFERRED COMPENSATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	'
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	'
	10.     DEFERRED COMPENSATION
	Share-based Compensation
	The Company’s Amended and Restated GFI Group Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by the Company’s stockholders on June 6, 2013 (as amended and restated, the “2008 Equity Incentive Plan”) permits the grant of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units to employees, non-employee directors or consultants. The Company issues shares from authorized but unissued shares and authorized and issued shares reacquired and held as treasury shares, which are reserved for issuance upon the vesting of RSUs granted pursuant to the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.  As of September 30, 2014, there were 8,398,540 shares of common stock available for future grants of awards under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company had stock options outstanding under the GFI Group 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “GFI Group 2002 Plan”). No additional grants will be made under this option plan.
	Restricted Stock Units
	The fair value of RSUs is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and is recorded as compensation expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The following is a summary of RSU transactions under both the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan:
		RSUs		Weighted-
				Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Outstanding December 31, 2013	18,483,001		$	4.01
	Granted	3,205,621		3.59
	Vested	(6,378,362	)	4.04
	Cancelled	(757,911	)	3.65
	Outstanding September 30, 2014	14,552,349		4.02
	The weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $3.59 per unit, compared with $3.71 per unit for the same period in the prior year. Total compensation expense and related income tax benefits recognized in relation to RSUs are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Compensation expense	$	5,516		$	6,870	$	18,866	$	22,372
	Income tax benefits	$	1,547		$	1,913	$	5,342	$	6,655
	At September 30, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the RSUs prior to the consideration of expected forfeitures was approximately $39,411 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.53 years. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $25,793 and $28,395, respectively.
	Stock Options
	The following is a summary of stock options outstanding under the GFI Group 2002 Plan as of September 30, 2014:
		Options		Weighted
				Average
				Exercise
				Price
	Outstanding December 31, 2013	139,164		$	4.16
	Exercised	(22,948	)	2.97
	Cancelled	—		—
	Expired	(109,900	)	4.28
	Outstanding September 30, 2014	6,316		5.25
	As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options.
	Deferred Cash Compensation
	The Company may pay certain bonuses in the form of deferred cash compensation awards, which generally vest over a future service period. Total compensation expense recognized in relation to deferred cash compensation awards is as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Compensation expense	$	55		$	8	$	69	$	15
	At September 30, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost related to deferred cash compensation prior to the consideration of expected forfeitures was approximately $3,890 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.93 years.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	11.     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Purchase Obligations—The Company has various unconditional purchase obligations. These obligations are for the purchase of market data from a number of information service providers during the normal course of business. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had total purchase commitments for market data of approximately $25,751, with $20,262 due within the next twelve months and $5,489 due between one to three years. Additionally, the Company had $5,333 of other purchase commitments including $1,253 primarily related to network upgrades, and $4,080 for hosting and software license agreements. Of these other purchase commitments, approximately $3,126 is due within the next twelve months.
	Contingencies—In the normal course of business, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are, and have been in the past, involved  in various lawsuits and legal proceedings and are, and have been in the past, involved in certain regulatory examinations. The Company’s unresolved legal proceedings and regulatory examinations are at varying stages of adjudication, arbitration or investigation and involve a variety of claims. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of such litigation and regulatory matters, particularly where the claimants seek very large or indeterminate damages or where the matters present novel legal theories, the Company generally cannot predict what the eventual outcome of the pending matters will be, what the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters will be, or what the eventual loss, fines or penalties, if any, relating to each matter may be.
	The Company is subject to the possibility of losses from these various contingencies. Considerable judgment is necessary to estimate the probability and amount of any loss from such contingencies. In accordance with applicable accounting guidelines, an accrual is made when it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset has been impaired and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.  Where a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability.
	The Company is subject to regular examinations by various tax authorities in jurisdictions in which the Company has significant business operations. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional tax assessments that may result from these examinations in each of the tax jurisdictions. A tax accrual has been established, which the Company believes to be adequate in relation to the potential for additional tax assessments. Once established, the accrual may be adjusted based on new information or events. The imposition of additional tax assessments, penalties or fines by a tax authority could have a material impact on the Company’s effective tax rate.
	Additionally, the Company has recorded reserves for certain contingencies to which it may have exposure, such as contingencies related to the employer portion of National Insurance Contributions in the U.K.
	Shareholder Class Action Suits.
	Following the announcement of the GFI/CME Merger, nine putative class action complaints challenging the GFI/CME Merger were filed on behalf of purported GFI Stockholders (one of which also purports to be brought derivatively on behalf of GFI), two in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, six in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and one in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaints are captioned Coyne v. GFI Group Inc., et al., Index No. 652704/2014 (N.Y. Sup. Ct.), Suprina v. GFI Group, Inc., et al., Index No. 652668/2014 (N.Y. Sup. Ct.), Brown v. GFI Group Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 10082-VCL (Del. Ch.), Hughes v. CME Group, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 10103-VCL (Del. Ch.), Al Ammary v. Gooch, et al., Civil Action No. 10125-VCL (Del. Ch.), Giardalas v. GFI Group, Inc., Civil Action No. 10132-VCL (Del. Ch.), City of Lakeland Employees’ Pension Plan v. Gooch, et al., Civil Action No. 10136-VCL (Del. Ch.), Michocki v. Gooch., et al., Civil Action No. 10166-VCL (Del. Ch.) and Szarek v. GFI Group Inc., et al., Case No. 14-CV-8228 (S.D.N.Y.). On September 26, 2014, the Court of Chancery granted voluntary dismissal of the Giardalas action. On October 6, 2014, a consolidation order was entered by Vice Chancellor Laster, consolidating the Delaware cases under the caption In re GFI Group Inc. Stockholder Litigation, Consolidated C.A. No. 10136-VCL.
	The complaints name as defendants various combinations of GFI, IDB Buyer, the members of the GFI Board, GFI’s managing director Mr. Brown, CME, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2, Cheetah Acquisition Corp., Cheetah Acquisition LLC, JPI and New JPI.  The complaints generally allege, among other things, that the members of the GFI Board breached their fiduciary duties to GFI Stockholders during merger negotiations by entering into the GFI/CME Merger Agreement and approving the GFI/CME Merger, and that GFI, CME, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2, IDB Buyer, Cheetah Acquisition Corp., Cheetah Acquisition LLC, JPI, and New JPI aided and abetted such breaches of fiduciary duties. The complaints further allege, among other things, (i) that the merger consideration provided for in the GFI/CME Merger Agreement undervalues GFI, (ii) that the sales process leading up to the GFI/CME Merger was flawed due to the members of the GFI Board’s and Jefferies’ conflicts of interest, and (iii) that certain provisions of the GFI/CME Merger Agreement inappropriately favor CME and preclude or impede third parties from submitting potentially superior proposals.
	In addition, the Hughes complaint asserts a derivative claim on behalf of GFI against the members of the GFI Board for breaching their fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to GFI by negotiating and agreeing to the GFI/CME Merger and against defendants Gooch and Heffron for usurping a corporate opportunity. The Michocki complaint alleges that the GFI/CME Merger is not a solitary transaction, but a series of related transactions and further alleges that the IDB Transaction must be approved by an affirmative two-thirds vote of the Shares pursuant to the terms of the Charter.
	The complaints seek, among other relief: (i) certification of the class, (ii) injunctive relief enjoining the GFI/CME Merger, (iii) a declaration that the members of the GFI Board breached their fiduciary duties and that certain provisions of the GFI/CME Merger Agreement are unlawful, (iv) a directive to the members of the GFI Board to execute their fiduciary duties to obtain a transaction in the best interest of GFI Stockholders, (v) rescission of the GFI/CME Merger to the extent already implemented, (iv) granting of rescissory damages and an accounting of all of the damages suffered as a result of the alleged wrongdoing, (v) and reimbursement of fees and costs. The Coyne and Suprina Complaints also demand a jury trial.
	The defendants believe that the claims asserted against them are without merit and intend to defend the litigation vigorously.
	Based on currently available information, the outcome of the Company’s outstanding legal proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position. However, the outcome of any such matters may be material to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in a given period. It is not presently possible to determine the Company’s ultimate exposure to these matters and there is no assurance that the resolution of the Company’s outstanding matters will not significantly exceed any reserves accrued by the Company.
	For a limited number of legal matters for which, a loss (whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability) is not probable but is reasonably possible in future periods, the Company is sometimes able to estimate a range of possible loss.  In determining whether it is able to estimate a range of possible loss, the Company reviews and evaluates its material litigation and regulatory and other matters on an ongoing basis.  In cases in which the Company is able to estimate a range of possible loss, the aggregate total of such estimated possible losses is disclosed below.  There may be other matters for which a loss is probable or reasonably possible but for which a range of possible loss may not be estimable.  For those matters for which a range of possible loss is estimable, management currently estimates the aggregate range of possible loss as $0 to approximately $8.1 million in excess of the accrued liability (if any) related to those matters.  The estimated range of possible loss is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment and a variety of assumptions and uncertainties.  The matters underlying the estimated range will vary from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate.  Management is generally unable to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss for matters other than those included in the estimate above, including where (i) actual or potential plaintiffs have not claimed an amount of monetary damages (unless management can otherwise determine an amount), (ii) the matters are in early stages, (iii) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions, (iv) there are significant factual issues to be resolved, (v) there are novel legal issues presented, among other reasons.  Those matters for which an estimate is not possible are excluded from the estimated range above, therefore, the estimated range above does not represent the Company’s maximum loss exposure.
	The purchase price paid in connection with the acquisition of Contigo Limited included contingent consideration with an estimated net present value, at the time of the acquisition, of £2,458 (or approximately $3,942). Subsequent changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration, which is to be settled in 2015, will be recorded in Other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration as of September 30, 2014 is included within Other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. See Note 13 for further information.
	Risks and Uncertainties— The Company primarily generates its revenues by executing and facilitating transactions for counterparties. Revenues for these services are transaction based. As a result, the Company’s revenues will likely vary based upon the trading volumes of the various securities, commodities, foreign exchange and other cash and derivative markets in which the Company provides its services.
	Guarantees— The Company, through its subsidiaries, is a member of certain exchanges and clearing houses. Under the membership agreements, members are generally required to guarantee certain obligations. To mitigate the performance risks of its members, the exchanges and clearing houses may, from time to time, require members to post collateral, as well as meet certain minimum financial standards. The Company’s maximum potential liability under these arrangements cannot be quantified. However, management believes that the potential for the Company to be required to make payments under these arrangements is unlikely. Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition for these arrangements.

MARKET_AND_CREDIT_RISKS

MARKET AND CREDIT RISKS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
MARKET AND CREDIT RISKS	'
MARKET AND CREDIT RISKS	'
	12.     MARKET AND CREDIT RISKS
	Disclosure regarding the Company’s financial instruments with market and credit risks are described in “Note 15—Market and Credit Risks” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to these risks during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

FAIR_VALUE_OF_FINANCIAL_INSTRU

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
	13.     FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	Certain of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are carried at fair value, and are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). Financial instruments owned and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased are recorded at fair value, and included in Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively. Contingent consideration, if any, is also recorded at fair value, and included in Other liabilities. The Company’s investments that are accounted for under the cost and equity methods are investments in companies that are not publicly traded and for which no established market for their securities exists. The fair value of these investments is only estimated if there are identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of the investment.
	The Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with ASC 820-10. In accordance with ASC 820-10, the Company has categorized its financial assets and liabilities, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy as set forth below.
	Level 1—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identifiable assets or liabilities in an active market that the company has the ability to access at the measurement date (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, listed derivatives, and most U.S. Government and agency securities).
	Level 2—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or whose values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets. Level 2 inputs include the following:
	·         Quoted prices for identifiable or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (examples include corporate and municipal bonds which trade infrequently); and
	·         Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include interest rate and currency swaps).
	Level 3—Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.
	Valuation Techniques
	A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Company’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:
	U.S. Treasury Securities - U.S. Treasury securities are valued using quoted market prices. Valuation adjustments are not applied. Accordingly, U.S. Treasury securities are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Equity Securities - Equity securities include mostly exchange-traded securities and are valued based on quoted market prices. Accordingly, exchange-traded equity securities are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  Non-exchange traded equity securities are measured primarily using broker quotations, pricing service data from external providers and prices observed for recently executed market transactions. Non-exchange traded equity securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Corporate Bonds — Corporate bonds are measured primarily using broker quotations, pricing service data from external providers and prices observed for recently executed market transactions. Corporate bonds are generally categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Foreign government bonds — Foreign government bonds are mostly valued using quoted market prices. Accordingly, foreign government bonds are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Derivative Contracts — Derivative contracts include instruments such as foreign exchange, commodity, fixed income and equity derivative contracts.
	Listed Derivative Contracts - Listed derivatives that are actively traded are valued based on quoted prices from the    exchange and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
	OTC Derivative Contracts — Over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivative contracts include forwards, swaps, and options contracts related to foreign currencies. Depending on the product and the terms of the transaction, the fair value of OTC derivative products can be either observed or modeled using a series of techniques and model inputs from comparable benchmarks, including closed-form analytic formulas, such as the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, and simulation models or a combination thereof.   Many pricing models do not entail material subjectivity because the methodologies employed do not necessitate significant judgment, and the pricing inputs are observed from actively quoted markets. In the case of more established derivative products, the pricing models used by the Company are widely accepted by the financial services industry. OTC derivative products valued by the Company using pricing models generally fall into this category and are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Equity warrants -  Non-exchange traded equity warrants are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured using the Black-Scholes model with key inputs impacting the valuation including the underlying security price, implied volatility, dividend yield, interest rate curve, strike price and maturity date.
	Contingent Consideration — The category consists primarily of contingent consideration related to one of the Company’s acquisitions.
	On November 14, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Contigo Limited, a provider of trading, portfolio risk management and logistics software for the energy industry. This contingent liability, which will be settled in a combination of cash and up to 50% of the Company’s common stock at the Company’s discretion, will be remeasured at fair value and is principally based on the acquired business’ future financial performance, including revenues and operating margins, from May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015.  The payment of the contingent consideration, if expected financial results are met by Contigo Limited, would not significantly impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	The inputs used in estimating the fair value of these contingent considerations are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of this liability, therefore the liability is categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
	In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not have any material transfers among Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
	Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 are as follows:
		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Balance at
		Active Markets for			Observable			Unobservable			September 30,
		Identical Assets			Inputs			Inputs			2014
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets
	Other assets: Financial instruments owned:
	Equity securities	$	—		$	163		$	—		$	163
	Derivative contracts:
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	138		$	1,533		$	—		$	1,671
	Commodities derivative contracts	110			—			—			110
	Netting (1)	(110		)	—			—			(110		)
	Total derivative contracts	$	138		$	1,533		$	—		$	1,671
	Total financial instruments owned	$	138		$	1,696		$	—		$	1,834
	Total	$	138		$	1,696		$	—		$	1,834
	Liabilities
	Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
	Debt securities	$	—		$	311		$	—		$	311
	Derivative contracts:
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	—		$	513		$	—		$	513
	Commodities derivative contracts	151			—			—			151
	Netting (1)	(110		)	$	—		$	—		$	(110	)
	Total derivative contracts	$	41		$	513		$	—		$	554
	Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	$	41		$	824		$	—		$	865
	Other liabilities: Contingent consideration	$	—		$	—		$	1,293		$	1,293
	Total	$	41		$	824		$	1,293		$	2,158
	(1)                 Represents the impact of netting on a net-by-counterparty basis.
	Excluded from the table above is variation margin on net long derivative contracts related to exchange traded futures in the amount of $147 included within Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations.  Also excluded from the table above is variation margin on net short derivative contracts related to exchange traded futures in the amount of $47 included within Payables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations.
	Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:
		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Balance at
		Active Markets for			Observable			Unobservable			December 31,
		Identical Assets			Inputs			Inputs			2013
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets
	Other assets: Financial instruments owned:
	Equity securities	$	546		$	177		$	—		$	723
	Derivative contracts:
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	—		$	679		$	—		$	679
	Equity derivative contracts	—			—			14			14
	Netting (1)	—				—		—				—
	Total derivative contracts	$	—		$	679		$	14		$	693
Total financial instruments owned	$	546		$	856		$	14		$	1,416
Other assets: Other:
Equity security, available-for-sale	$	5,465		$	—		$	—		$	5,465
Total	$	6,011		$	856		$	14		$	6,881
Liabilities
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
Derivative contracts:
Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	—		$	993		$	—		$	993
Netting (1)	—			—			—			—
Total derivative contracts	$	—		993			—			993
Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	$	—		$	993		$	—		$	993
Other liabilities: Contingent consideration	$	—		$	—		$	4,317		$	4,317
Total	$	—		$	993		$	4,317		$	5,310
(1)                 Represents the impact of netting on a net-by-counterparty basis.
Excluded from the table above is variation margin on net long derivative contracts related to exchange traded futures in the amount of $388 included within Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations.  Also excluded from the table above is variation margin on net short derivative contracts related to exchange traded futures in the amount of $596 included within Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations.
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	Opening			Total realized			Unrealized gains			Purchases			Issues		Sales		Settlements			Closing		Unrealized
	Balance			and unrealized			(losses)													Balance at		gains
				gains (losses)			included													September 30,		(losses) for Level
				included in			in Other													2014		3 Assets /
				Net loss (1)			comprehensive															Liabilities
							loss															Outstanding at
																						September 30,
																						2014
Liabilities
Other liabilities:
Contingent consideration:	$	1,519		$	150		$	76		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	1,293	$	150
(1)                 Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
	Opening			Total realized			Unrealized gains			Purchases			Issuances		Sales		Settlements			Closing		Unrealized gains
	Balance			and unrealized			(losses) included													Balance at		(losses) for Level
				gains (losses)			in Other													September		3 Assets /
				included in			comprehensive													30,		Liabilities
				Net loss (1)			income													2013		Outstanding at
																						September 30,
																						2013
Assets
Other assets:
Financial instruments owned:
Equity derivative contracts	$	14		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	14	$	—
Liabilities
Other liabilities:
Future purchase commitment	$	798		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	(798	)	$	—	$	—
Contingent consideration	$	204		$	(55	)	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	(159	)	$	100	$	(55	)
(1)                 Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:
	Opening			Total realized			Unrealized gains			Purchases			Issues		Sales		Settlements			Closing		Unrealized
	Balance			and unrealized			(losses)													Balance at		gains
				gains (losses)			included													September 30,		(losses) for Level
				included in			in Other													2014		3 Assets /
				Net loss (1)			comprehensive															Liabilities
							loss															Outstanding at
																						September 30,
																						2014
Assets
Other assets:
Financial instruments owned:
Equity derivative contracts	$	14		$	(14	)	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
Liabilities
Other liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$	4,317		$	2,832		$	(5	)	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	197		$	1,293	$	2,865
(1)                 Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
	Opening			Total realized			Unrealized gains			Purchases			Issues		Sales		Settlements			Closing		Unrealized
	Balance			and unrealized			included													Balance at		gains
				gains (losses)			in Other													September 30,		(losses) for Level
				included in			comprehensive													2013		3 Assets /
				Net income (1)			loss															Liabilities
																						Outstanding at
																						September 30,
																						2013
Assets
Other assets:
Financial instruments owned:
Equity derivative contracts	$	28		$	(14	)	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	14	$	(14	)
Liabilities
Other liabilities:
Future purchase commitment	$	3,209		$	2,203		$	208		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	(798	)	$	—	$	—
Contingent consideration	$	518		$	(55	)	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	(473	)	$	100	$	(55	)
(1)     Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following tables present quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs utilized by the Company in the fair value measurement of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively:
	Fair Value as of			Valuation		Unobservable Input(s)		Range (Weighted
	September 30,			Technique(s)				Average) (a)
	2014
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	$	1,293		Present value of expected payments		Discount rate		17	%
						Forecasted financial information		(b)
	Fair Value as of			Valuation		Unobservable Input(s)		Range (Weighted
	December 31,			Technique(s)				Average) (a)
	2013
Assets
Equity derivative contracts	$	14		Black-Scholes Merton Model		Expected volatility		30	%
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	$	4,317		Present value of expected payments		Discount rate		17	%
						Forecasted financial information		(b)
(a)     As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, each asset and liability type consists of one security.
(b)     The Company’s estimate of contingent consideration as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, was principally based on the acquired business’ projected future financial performance, including revenues and operating margins from May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015.
Valuation Processes—Level 3 Measurements—Depending on the instrument, the Company utilizes a valuation technique, including discounted cash flow methods, option pricing methods and present value methods, as indicated above. Valuations are generally conducted by the Company, with consultation of a third-party valuation expert to develop the valuation model when the asset or liability is initially recorded. Each reporting period, the Company updates unobservable inputs utilizing relevant published information, where applicable. The Company has a formal process to review changes in fair value for satisfactory explanation.
Sensitivity Analysis—Level 3 Measurements
Equity derivative contracts - The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value of the Company’s equity derivative contracts are the expected volatility and an estimated share price. Significant increases (decreases) in expected volatility or estimated share price would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement.
Contingent consideration – The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value in the Company’s contingent consideration are the discount rate and forecasted financial information.  Significant increases (decreases) in the discount rate would have resulted in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in the forecasted financial information would have resulted in a higher (lower) fair value measurement.
For all significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of all Level 3 assets and liabilities, a change in one of the inputs would not necessarily result in a directionally similar change in the other.

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
	14. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	The Company uses foreign exchange derivative contracts, including forward contracts and foreign currency swaps, to reduce the effects of fluctuations in certain assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. The Company also hedges a portion of its foreign currency exposures on anticipated foreign currency denominated revenues and expenses by entering into forward foreign exchange contracts. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, none of these contracts were designated as foreign currency cash flow hedges under ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815-10”).
	The Company provides brokerage services to its customers for exchange-traded and OTC derivative products, which include futures, forwards and options contracts. The Company may enter into principal transactions for exchange-traded and OTC derivative products to facilitate customer trading activities or to engage in principal trading for the Company’s own account.
	The Company monitors market risk exposure from its matched principal business and principal trading business by regularly monitoring both (i) its concentration of market risk to financial instruments, countries or counterparties and (ii) trades that have not settled within prescribed settlement periods or volume thresholds. Additionally, market risks are monitored and mitigated by the use of the Company’s proprietary, electronic risk monitoring system, which provides daily credit reports in each of the Company’s geographic regions that analyze credit concentration and facilitates the regular monitoring of transactions against key risk indicators.
	For certain derivative contracts, the Company has entered into agreements with counterparties that allow for the netting of positions. The Company reports these derivative contracts on a net-by-counterparty basis when management believes that a legal and enforceable right of offset exists under these agreements.
	Fair values of derivative contracts on a gross and net basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Derivatives not designated as hedging	Derivative			Derivative			Derivative		Derivative
	instruments under ASC 815-10 (1)	Assets(2)			Liabilities(3)			Assets(2)		Liabilities(3)
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	1,671		$	513		$	679	$	993
	Commodity derivative contracts	110			151			—		—
	Fixed income derivative contracts	—			—			—		—
	Equity derivative contracts	—			—			14		—
	Total fair value of derivative contracts	$	1,781		$	664		$	693	$	993
	Counterparty netting	(110		)	(110		)	—		—
	Total fair value	$	1,671		$	554		$	693	$	993
	(1)           Excluded from the above table is variation margin on open long and short futures contracts which is included in Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations,  on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. See Note 13 for further details about variation margin balances on open long and short futures contracts as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  Gross notional amounts on these futures contracts are included in the table below which details outstanding long and short notional amounts of derivative financial instruments.
	(2)           Reflects options and forwards contracts within Other assets.
	(3)           Reflects options and forwards contracts within Other liabilities.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding forward foreign exchange hedge contracts with a combined notional value of $78,884 and $86,170, respectively. Approximately $21,474 and $27,659 of these forward foreign exchange contracts represent a hedge of Euro, British pound and Swiss franc-denominated balance sheet positions at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The remaining outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts are hedges of anticipated future cash flows.
	In addition to the Company’s outstanding forward foreign exchange hedge contracts, the following table includes the outstanding long and short notional amounts on a gross basis of derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		September 30, 2014 (1)						December 31, 2013 (2)
		Long			Short			Long		Short
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	346		$	162,223		$	—	$	—
	Commodity derivative contracts	1,237,496			1,237,614			349,004		342,573
	Fixed income derivative contracts	6,264,927			6,142,614			9,415,546		10,047,771
	Equity derivative contracts	3,901			3,804			5,731		220
	Total derivative notional amounts	$	7,506,670		$	7,546,255		$	9,770,281	$	10,390,564
	(1)           Notional amounts include gross notionals on open long and short futures contracts of $7,506,390 and $7,546,026, respectively, as of September 30, 2014.
	(2)           Notional amounts include gross notionals on open long and short futures contracts of $9,652,419 and $10,248,687, respectively, as of December 31, 2013.
	The following is a summary of the effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Location of Gain (Loss)		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on
				Derivatives
	Derivatives not designated as hedging	Recognized in Income on		For the Three Months			For the Three Months Ended
	instruments under ASC 815-10	Derivatives		Ended September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	-1		$	2,308		$	(500	)
	Commodity derivative contracts	Principal transactions		2,498			1,398
	Fixed income derivative contracts	Principal transactions		1,096			3,129
	Equity derivative contracts	-2		57			24
	(1)     For the three months ended September 30, 2014, approximately $2,199 of gains on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $109 of gains on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions.  For the three months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $736 of losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $236 of gains on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions.
	(2)     For the three months ended September 30, 2014, approximately $57 of gains on equity derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $24 of gains on equity derivative contracts included within Principal transactions.
	The following is a summary of the effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Location of Gain (Loss)		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on
				Derivatives
	Derivatives not designated as hedging	Recognized in Income on		For the Nine Months		For the Nine Months Ended
	instruments under ASC 815-10	Derivatives		Ended September 30, 2014		September 30, 2013
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	-1		3,671		$	(1,926	)
	Commodity derivative contracts	Principal transactions		6,812		6,621
	Fixed income derivative contracts	Principal transactions		5,971		11,126
	Equity derivative contracts	-2		148		(164		)
	(1)     For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, approximately $3,389 of gains on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $283 of gains on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $1,517 of losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $409 of losses on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions.
	(2)     For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, approximately $14 of losses on equity derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $162 of gains on equity derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $14 of losses on equity derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $150 of losses on equity derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions.
	The following is a summary of derivative contracts, by counterparty, including the gross amounts offset in the Condensed   Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of September 30, 2014:
					Gross Amount			Net Amounts of		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
					Offset in the			Assets Offset in the		Condensed Consolidated Statements
										of Financial Condition
	Counterparties (1)	Gross			Condensed			Condensed		Derivatives (3)		Cash Collateral		Net Amount
		Amounts of			Consolidated			Consolidated				Received/
		Recognized			Statements of			Statements of				(Pledged)
		Assets			Financial Position			Financial Position (2)
	Derivative Assets:
	Counterparty A	$	1,166		$	—		$	1,166	$	—	$	—	$	1,166
	Counterparty B	248			(110		)	138		—		—		138
Counterparty C	367			—			367		—		—		367
Total	$	1,781		$	(110	)	$	1,671	$	—	$	—	$	1,671
Derivative Liabilities:
Counterparty A	$	50		$	—		$	50	$	—	$	—	$	50
Counterparty B	151			(110		)	41		—		—		41
Counterparty C	463			—			463		—		—		463
Total	$	664		$	(110	)	$	554	$	—	$	—	$	554
(1)     Excluded from the above table is variation margin on open long and short futures contracts which is included in Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations  and Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. See Note 13 for further details about variation margin balances on open long and short futures contracts as of September 30, 2014.
(2)     Derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reflected within Other assets and Other Liabilities, respectively.
(3)     As of September 30, 2014, the Company does not have any derivative positions under a master netting agreement that are not netted.
The following is a summary of derivative contracts, by counterparty, including the gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2013:
				Gross Amounts			Net Amounts of		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
				Offset in the			Assets Offset in the		Condensed Consolidated Statements
									of Financial Condition
Counterparties (1)	Gross Amounts of			Condensed			Condensed		Derivatives (3)		Cash Collateral		Net Amount
	Recognized			Consolidated			Consolidated				Received/
	Assets			Statements of			Statements of				(Pledged)
				Financial Position			Financial Position (2)
Derivative Assets:
Counterparty A	$	268		$	—		$	268	$	—	$	—	$	268
Counterparty C	411			—			411		—		—		411
Counterparty D	14			—			14		—		—		14
Total	$	693		$	—		$	693	$	—	$	—	$	693
Derivative Liabilities:
Counterparty A	$	834		$	—		$	834	$	—	$	—	$	834
Counterparty C	159			—			159		—		—		159
Total	$	993		$	—		$	993	$	—	$	—	$	993
(1)     Excluded from the above table is variation margin on open long and short futures contracts which is included in Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations,  on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. See Note 13 for further details about variation margin balances on open long and short futures contracts as of December 31, 2013.
(2)     Derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reflected within Other assets and Other Liabilities, respectively.
(3)     As of December 31, 2013, the Company does not have any derivative positions under a master netting agreement that are not netted.

VARIABLE_INTEREST_ENTITIES

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	'
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	'
	15. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
	Non-consolidated VIEs
	The Company holds interests in certain VIEs that it does not consolidate. The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary, mostly due to a lack of significant economic interest, voting power and/or power to direct the activities that would most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had certain variable interests in non-consolidated VIEs in the form of direct equity interests, a convertible note and a non-recourse loan. The carrying amount of these VIEs was $3,410 as of September 30, 2014 and $3,954 as of December 31, 2013, and was recorded within Other assets. These VIEs include a technology provider with a proprietary financial application, trading entities in which the Company has provided initial capital to fund trading activities, investment fund managers and a commodity pool operator. The Company also provides clearing and other administrative services to certain of these non-consolidated VIEs. The maximum exposure to loss on these VIEs was $3,973 as of September 30, 2014 and $4,592 as of December 31, 2013, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had certain variable interests in non-consolidated VIEs in the form of trading margin accounts in which the Company had an economic interest in profits and losses and has provided initial capital to fund trading activities. The Company also provides clearing and other administrative services to these non-consolidated VIEs. The carrying amount of these VIEs was $77 as of September 30, 2014 and $1,653 as of December 31, 2013, and was recorded within Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations.  The maximum exposure to loss of these VIEs was $77 as of September 30, 2014 and $1,653 as of December 31, 2013.
	The Company has not recorded any liabilities with respect to non-consolidated VIEs.
	Consolidated VIEs
	In December 2010, Kyte invested in a limited company that is focused on developing a proprietary trading business. The limited company is a VIE and it was determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of this VIE because the Company, through Kyte, was the provider of the majority of this VIE’s start-up capital and has the power to direct the activities of this VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, primarily through its voting percentage and consent rights on the activities that would most significantly influence the entity. The consolidated VIE had total assets of $10,092 at September 30, 2014 and $8,953 as of December 31, 2013, which primarily consisted of clearing margin. There were no material restrictions on the consolidated VIE’s assets. The consolidated VIE had total liabilities of $3,439 at September 30, 2014 and $2,652 at December 31, 2013.

REGULATORY_REQUIREMENTS

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS	'
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS	'
	16.    REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
	Many of the Company’s material operating subsidiaries are subject to regulatory restrictions and minimum capital requirements, which may restrict the Company’s ability to withdraw capital from its subsidiaries.
	Certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company are registered as a broker-dealer, swap execution facility (“SEF”) or introducing broker and therefore are subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). Certain foreign subsidiaries are also registered as introducing brokers with the CFTC. These rules contain uniform minimum net capital requirements, as defined, and also require a significant part of the registrants’ assets be kept in relatively liquid form. As of September 30, 2014, each of the Company’s subsidiaries that are subject to these regulations had net capital in excess of their minimum capital requirements.
	Certain of the Company’s European subsidiaries are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) and must maintain financial resources (as defined by the FCA) in excess of FCA’s total financial resources requirement. As of September 30, 2014, each of these European subsidiaries had financial resources in excess of their requirements.
	Certain other subsidiaries of the Company are subject to similar regulatory and other requirements in the jurisdictions in which they operate and, as of September 30, 2014, each of these subsidiaries was in compliance with its regulatory capital requirements.
	The regulatory requirements referred to above may restrict the Company’s ability to withdraw capital from its regulated subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had the following aggregate regulatory capital, in individually regulated entities, in each of its operating regions:
		Americas		EMEA		Asia
	Regulatory capital	$	34,447	$	138,402	$	33,900
	Minimum regulatory capital required	7,507		112,654		9,227
	Excess regulatory capital	$	26,940	$	25,748	$	24,673
	The regulatory requirements set forth in the table above include aggregated amounts held in individually regulated entities in each of the Company’s operating regions, calculated by entity, to comply with the requirements of various regulators for capital requirements in each of those entities. In situations where the Company is subject to the requirements of multiple regulators, the Company has included the more onerous capital requirement in the table above.

SEGMENT_AND_GEOGRAPHIC_INFORMA

SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'
	17.    SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
	In accordance with ASC 280-10, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280-10”) and based on the nature of the Company’s operations, products and services in each geographic region, the Company determined that it has four reportable segments: (i) Americas Brokerage, (ii)  EMEA Brokerage, (iii) Asia Brokerage and (iv) Clearing and Backed Trading. The Company’s brokerage operations provide brokerage services in four broad product categories: fixed income, financial, equity and commodity. The Clearing and Backed Trading segment encompasses the Company’s clearing, risk management, settlement and other back-office services, as well as the capital we provide to start-up trading groups, small hedge funds, market-makers and individual traders. Information about other business activities is disclosed in an “All Other” category. All Other includes the results of the Company’s software, analytics and market data operations. All Other also includes revenues and expenses that are not directly assignable to one of the Company’s reportable segments, primarily consisting of indirect costs related to the Company’s brokerage segments as well as all of the Company’s corporate business activities.
	The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described above in Note 3—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company evaluates performance of the operating segments based on income (loss) before income taxes, which it defines as revenues less direct expenses.
	Revenues within each brokerage segment include revenues that are directly related to providing brokerage services along with interest and other income (loss) directly attributable to the operating segment. Revenues within the Clearing and Backed Trading segment primarily include revenues that are directly related to providing clearing services along with the Company’s share of profit (loss) on trading activity from capital investments. The Company’s Clearing and Backed Trading segment incurs exchange fees on behalf of its clients, which are reflected within Interest and transaction-based expenses. The reimbursement of these fees from the Company’s clients is reflected within Total Revenues. Therefore, the Company evaluates the top-line performance of its Clearing and Backed Trading segment using Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses.
	Direct expenses of the operating segments are those expenses that are directly related to providing the brokerage or clearing services and trading activities of the operating segments and include compensation expense related to the segment management and staff, communication and market data, travel and promotion, and certain professional fees and other expenses that are directly incurred by the operating segments. However, the Company does not allocate to its brokerage operating segments certain expenses that it manages separately at the corporate level. The unallocated costs include rent and occupancy, depreciation and amortization, professional fees, interest on borrowings and other expenses and are included in the All Other operating segment. Management generally does not consider the unallocated costs in its performance measurement of its reportable segments.
	Selected financial information for the Company’s reportable segments is presented below for periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Americas			EMEA		Asia		Clearing			All Other			Total
		Brokerage			Brokerage		Brokerage		and Backed
									Trading
	Total revenues	$	55,443		$	78,355	$	19,472	$	32,382		$	24,649		$	210,301
	Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	52,875			76,170		19,377		7,097			25,460			180,979
	(Loss) income before income taxes	15,586			24,449		5,678		(1,906		)	(51,323		)	(7,516		)
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Americas			EMEA		Asia		Clearing			All Other			Total
		Brokerage			Brokerage		Brokerage		and Backed
									Trading
	Total revenues	$	60,384		$	72,275	$	15,730	$	40,721		$	23,323		$	212,433
	Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	57,995			70,283		15,653		8,702			23,607			176,240
	Income (loss) before income taxes	15,515			19,078		3,438		(1,067		)	(38,120		)	(1,156		)
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Americas			EMEA		Asia		Clearing			All Other			Total
		Brokerage			Brokerage		Brokerage		and Backed
									Trading
	Total revenues	$	173,561		$	248,913	$	55,797	$	112,154		$	78,720		$	669,145
	Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	165,434			241,683		55,436		26,236			80,946			569,735
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(39,883		)	62,574		15,468		(25,604		)	(143,516		)	(130,961		)
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Americas			EMEA		Asia		Clearing			All Other			Total
		Brokerage			Brokerage		Brokerage		and Backed
									Trading
	Total revenues	$	202,765		$	237,102	$	52,952	$	140,960		$	65,324		$	699,103
	Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	194,372			230,031		52,693		32,840			66,253			576,189
	Income (loss) before income taxes	56,139			65,756		13,257		2,492			(131,118		)	6,526
	In addition, with the exception for goodwill, the Company does not identify or allocate assets by operating segment, nor does its chief operating decision maker evaluate operating segments using discrete asset information. See Note 5 for goodwill by reportable segment.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the U.K. is the only individual foreign country that accounts for 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues and total long-lived assets. Information regarding revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and information regarding long-lived assets (defined as property, equipment, leasehold improvements and software inventory) in geographic areas as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, are as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Revenues:
	United States	$	54,075		$	61,067	$	172,383	$	203,544
	United Kingdom	105,938			105,471		343,286		346,166
	Other	50,288			45,895		153,476		149,393
	Total	$	210,301		$	212,433	$	669,145	$	699,103
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses:
	United States	$	53,356		$	60,010	$	169,697	$	199,181
	United Kingdom	79,354			72,764		253,485		235,884
	Other	48,269			43,467		146,553		141,124
	Total	$	180,979		$	176,240	$	569,735	$	576,189
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Long-lived Assets, as defined:
	United States	$	49,982		$	49,987
	United Kingdom	10,132			11,762
	Other	3,979			4,396
	Total	$	64,093		$	66,145
	Revenues are attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the particular subsidiary of the Company which generated the revenues.

RELATED_PARTIES

RELATED PARTIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
RELATED PARTIES	'
RELATED PARTIES	'
	18.    RELATED PARTIES
	As of September 30, 2014, entities affiliated with BGC were the beneficial owner of more than 10 percent of the Company’s common stock.  Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries transact with BGC and its affiliated entities.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company earned software revenues related to transactions with BGC and its affiliated entities.  In addition, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company earned brokerage revenues from transactions with BGC and its affiliated entities. The revenues earned from BGC and its affiliated entities did not have a material impact on any of the periods presented in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	As discussed in Note 2 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, on July 30, 2014, the Company entered into the CME Merger Agreement with CME. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries transact with CME and its affiliated entities.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company earned software and brokerage revenues related to transactions with CME and its affiliated entities.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred communications and market data expenses directly related to CME and its affiliates. The revenues earned and expenses incurred related to CME and its affiliated entities did not have a material impact on any of the periods presented in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	'
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	'
	19.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	Subsequent events have been evaluated for recording and disclosure in the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements through the filing date of this Form 10-Q.
	CME Registration Statement on Form S-4
	On October 16, 2014, CME filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, which constituted (i) a prospectus of CME under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the shares of CME Class A Common Stock to be issued to  Company stockholders pursuant to the CME Merger Agreement, (ii) a proxy statement/prospectus of the Company under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and (iii) notice of meeting with respect to a special meeting of Company stockholders, at which Company stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the adoption of the CME Merger Agreement.
	BGC Unsolicited Tender Offer
	On October 22, 2014, BGC, through its operating subsidiary, BGC Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, made an unsolicited conditional tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $5.25 per share of the Company’s common stock, net to the seller in cash, without interest and less any required withholding taxes. On November 3, 2014, the  Special Committee again met with its financial and legal advisors, and after careful consideration, the Special Committee  unanimously recommended that the Company’s stockholders reject the offer and not tender their shares of the Company’s common stock because the Special Committee  believes that BGC’s tender offer (i) is illusory because it is subject to significant conditionality, including regulatory and other uncertainty, and (ii) is opportunistic based on the Corporation’s then traded market value. On November  4, 2014, the Company, acting upon the direction of the Special Committee  filed with the SEC a Recommendation/Solicitation Statement on Schedule 14D–9 detailing the recommendation of the Special Committee  in response to BGC’s tender offer and the reasons it rejected the offer.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation— The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingencies in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain estimates and assumptions relate to the accounting for acquired goodwill and intangible assets, fair value measurements, compensation accruals, tax liabilities and the potential outcome of litigation matters. Management believes that the estimates utilized in the preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, including amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Note 14, Derivative Financial Instruments. The Company has revised its tables summarizing (i) Derivative contracts, by counterparty and (ii) Fair values of derivative contracts on a gross and net basis, within Note 14, to exclude gross balances associated with long and short futures contracts.  The Company continues to include variation margin on open futures contract within Receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
	These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Form 10-K”). The condensed consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2013 presented in this Form 10-Q has been derived from audited Consolidated Financial Statements not included herein.
	These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. These adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Interim period operating results may not be indicative of the operating results for a full year.
Consolidation Policies	'
	Consolidation Policies
	General— The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries that are treated as such and other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. For consolidated subsidiaries that are less than wholly-owned, equity interests that are not owned by the Company are referred to as non-controlling interests. The portion of net income attributable to non-controlling interests for such subsidiaries is presented as Net income attributable to non-controlling interests on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the portion of the stockholders’ equity of such subsidiaries is presented as Non-controlling interests in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Variable Interest Entities	'
	Variable Interest Entities—The Company determines whether it holds any interests in entities deemed to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”). A VIE is an entity that lacks one or more of the following characteristics (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance, the obligation to absorb the losses of the entity and the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The Company has a controlling financial interest and will consolidate a VIE if it is the primary beneficiary.
	The primary beneficiary is the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could be potentially significant. As of September 30, 2014, the Company holds interests in certain VIEs. One of these VIEs is consolidated because it was determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of this VIE because (1) the Company provided the majority of the VIE’s start-up capital and (2) the Company has consent rights regarding those activities that the Company believes would most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity. The remaining VIEs are not consolidated as it was determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary due to the level of equity ownership and voting power.  The Company reassesses its evaluation of whether an entity is a VIE when certain events occur, such as changes in economic ownership and voting power.  The Company reassesses its determination of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis based on current facts and circumstances.  See Note 15 for disclosures on Variable Interest Entities.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents— Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less.
Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal and Other Regulations	'
	Cash and Securities Segregated Under Federal and Other Regulations—The Company holds cash and securities representing funds received in connection with customer trading activities. The Company’s subsidiaries are required to satisfy regulations mandated by their primary regulators to segregate or set aside cash or equivalent securities to satisfy regulations, promulgated to protect customer assets.
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable —Accounts receivable largely represents commissions due from brokers, dealers, banks and other financial and nonfinancial institutions for the execution of securities, commodities, foreign exchange and other derivative brokerage transactions. Also, included within Accounts receivable are the billed portion of existing contracts from customers related to the licensing, support and maintenance of software, analytics and market data, as well as any unbilled but earned portion of any services provided to such customers. In estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts, management considers the length of time receivables are past due and historical experience. In addition, if the Company is aware of a client’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific provision for doubtful accounts is recorded in the amount of the estimated losses that will result from the inability of that client to meet its financial obligation.
Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations	'
	Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations—Receivables from and payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations primarily represent: (i) principal transactions for which the stated settlement dates have not yet been reached, (ii) principal transactions which have not settled as of their stated settlement dates, (iii) cash, including deposits, held at clearing organizations and exchanges in support of the Company’s clearing business and to facilitate settlement and clearance of matched principal transactions and (iv) the spread on matched principal transactions that have not yet been remitted from/to clearing organizations and exchanges.
Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements	'
	Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements—Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method, generally over three to seven years. Property and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the remaining term of the respective lease to which they relate or the remaining useful life of the leasehold improvement. Internal and external costs incurred in developing or obtaining computer software for internal use are capitalized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, generally three years. General and administrative costs related to developing or obtaining such software are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets—Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price allocation over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired. The goodwill associated with each business combination is allocated to the related reporting units, which are determined based on how the Company’s businesses are managed and how they are reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker. Other intangible assets are recorded at their fair value upon completion of a business combination or certain other transactions. Substantially all of the firm’s identifiable intangible assets are considered to have definite lives and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.
	In accordance with ASC 350, goodwill is not amortized, but instead is periodically tested for impairment. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of November 1 of each fiscal year or whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. See Note 5 for further information.
Prepaid Bonuses and Forgivable Employee Loans	'
	Prepaid Bonuses and Forgivable Employee Loans—Prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans to employees are stated at historical value net of amortization when the agreement between the Company and the employee provides for the return of proportionate amounts of the bonus or loan outstanding if employment is terminated in certain circumstances prior to the end of the term of the agreement. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the term of the contract, which is generally two to four years, and is recorded in Compensation and employee benefits. The Company generally expects to recover the unamortized portion of prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans when employees voluntarily terminate their employment or if their employment is terminated for cause prior to the end of the term of the agreement. The prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans are included in Other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had prepaid bonuses of $18,957 and $23,499, respectively. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had forgivable employee loans and advances to employees of $17,645 and $24,109, respectively. Amortization of prepaid bonuses and forgivable employee loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $17,893 and $19,904, respectively and is included within Compensation and employee benefits.
Investments	'
	Investments—When the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity but can exert significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies, the investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323-10, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323-10”). Significant influence generally exists when the Company owns 20% to 50% of the entity’s common stock or in-substance common stock. The Company initially records the investment at cost and adjusts the carrying amount each period to recognize its share of the earnings and losses of the investee based on the percentage of ownership. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had equity method investments with a carrying value of $28,716 and $36,976, respectively, included within Other assets. The Company also provides clearing and other administrative services to certain of these equity method investees.
	Investments for which the Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence over operating and financial policies are generally accounted for using the cost method of accounting in accordance with ASC 325-10, Investments—Other (“ASC 325-10”). At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had cost method investments of $1,778 and $5,087, respectively, included within Other assets.  The fair value of the Company’s cost method investments are not estimated if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value. The Company monitors its equity and cost method investments for indicators of impairment each reporting period.
	The Company accounts for its marketable equity securities and its debt securities in accordance with ASC 320-10, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities (“ASC 323-10”). Investments that are owned by the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries are recorded at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses reported in net (loss) income. Investments designated as available-for-sale that are owned by the Company’s non broker-dealer subsidiaries are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a separate component of other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax.  The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities was $0 and $5,465 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and is included within Other assets.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments—In accordance with ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820-10”), the Company estimates fair values of financial instruments using relevant market information and other assumptions. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment in interpreting market data and, accordingly, changes in assumptions or in market conditions could adversely affect the estimates. The Company also discloses the fair value of its financial instruments in accordance with the fair value hierarchy as set forth by ASC 820-10. See Note 13 for further information.
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments—The Company enters into derivative transactions for a variety of reasons, including managing its exposure to risk arising from changes in foreign currency, facilitating customer trading activities and, in certain instances, to engage in principal trading for the Company’s own account. Derivative assets and liabilities are carried on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value, with changes in the fair value recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Contracts entered into to manage risk arising from changes in foreign currency are recognized in Other income, net and contracts entered into to facilitate customer transactions and principal trading are recognized in Principal transactions. Derivatives are reported on a net-by-counterparty basis when management believes that a legal and enforceable right of offset exists under these agreements. See Note 14 for further information.
Payables to Clearing Services Customers	'
	Payables to Clearing Services Customers—Payables to clearing services customers include amounts due on cash and margin transactions, including futures contracts transacted on behalf of customers.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Brokerage Transactions—The Company provides brokerage services to its clients in the form of either agency or principal transactions. In agency transactions, the Company charges commissions for executing transactions between buyers and sellers. Agency commission revenues and related expenses are recognized on a trade date basis. These revenues are presented in “Agency Commissions”.  Principal transactions revenue is primarily derived from matched principal and principal trading transactions. Principal transactions revenues and related expenses are recognized on a trade date basis. The Company earns revenue from principal transactions on the spread between the buy and sell price of the security that is brokered. In matched principal transactions, the Company simultaneously agrees to buy instruments from one customer and sell them to another customer. These revenues are presented in “Principal Transactions”.  In the normal course of its matched principal and principal trading businesses, the Company may hold security positions overnight. These positions are marked to market on a daily basis.
	Clearing Services Revenues—The Company charges fees to customers for clearing services provided for cash and derivative transactions. Clearing services revenues are recorded on a trade date basis as customer transactions occur and are presented net of any customer negotiated rebates.
	Software, Analytics and Market Data Revenue Recognition— Software revenue consists primarily of fees charged for Trayport electronic trading software, which are typically billed on a subscription basis and are recognized ratably over the term of the subscription period, which ranges from one to five years. Analytics revenue consists primarily of software license fees for Fenics pricing tools which are typically billed on a subscription basis, and is recognized ratably over the term of the subscription period, which is generally three years. Market data revenue primarily consists of subscription fees and fees from customized one-time sales.  Market data subscription fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the subscription period, which ranges from one to two years. Market data revenue from customized one-time sales is recognized upon delivery of the data. The Company markets its software, analytics and market data products through its direct sales force and, in some cases, indirectly through resellers. In general, the Company’s license agreements for such products do not provide for a right of return.
	Other Income, net—Included within Other income, net on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are revaluations of foreign currency derivative contracts, realized and unrealized transaction gains and losses on certain foreign currency denominated items, and gains and losses on certain investments, and interest income earned on short-term investments.
Compensation and Employee Benefits	'
	Compensation and Employee Benefits—The Company’s compensation and employee benefits have both a fixed and variable component. Base salaries and benefit costs are primarily fixed for all employees while bonuses constitute the variable portion of compensation and employee benefits. The Company may pay certain performance bonuses in restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or as deferred cash awards, both of which generally vest over a future service period. The Company also may grant sign-on and retention bonuses for certain newly-hired or existing employees who agree to long-term employment agreements.
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Share-Based Compensation—The Company’s share-based compensation consists of RSUs. The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation— Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). This accounting guidance requires measurement of compensation expense for equity-based awards at fair value and recognition of compensation expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. In all periods presented, the only share-based compensation expense recognized by the Company has been RSUs. The Company determines the fair value of RSUs based on the number of units granted and the grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock, measured as of the closing price on the date of grant. See Note 10 for further information.
Deferred Cash Compensation	'
	Deferred Cash Compensation—The Company accounts for deferred cash compensation in accordance with ASC 710 Compensation— General (“ASC 710”). This accounting guidance requires measurement of deferred compensation expense for non-equity-based awards based upon future benefits expected to be paid, and provides for recognition of compensation expense over the expected service period, net of estimated forfeitures. See Note 10 for further information.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes— In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), the Company provides for income taxes using the asset and liability method under which deferred income taxes are recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards that result from events that have been recognized either in the financial statements or the income tax returns, but not both. The measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws. Valuation allowances are recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management applies the more likely than not criteria prior to recognizing a financial statement benefit for a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense and other expense, respectively.
	The Company recorded a benefit from income taxes of $56 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $1,127 for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The net decrease in benefit from income taxes was primarily due to U.S. taxes associated with repatriations of earnings from the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries.  The remaining change in income tax expense relative to the same period in 2013 is primarily due to a change in the geographical mix of pre-tax profits and losses.
	The Company recorded a benefit from income taxes of $30,239 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $5,267 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The benefit from income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily a result of a $29,151 discrete tax benefit attributable to non-cash goodwill impairment charges recorded in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2014.  The nine months ended September 30, 2013 were primarily impacted by the following items:  (i) a tax benefit of $2,655 under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 related to taxes previously provided for, (ii) a tax benefit of $1,177 arising from a change in our view about the deductibility of a reserve previously deemed nondeductible, as a result of new information received in the first quarter of 2013 and (iii) the release of a tax liability of $1,359 in a foreign subsidiary where the statute of limitations has now expired.  The effective tax rates for both periods were impacted by a geographical mix of pre-tax profits and losses.
Treasury Stock	'
	Treasury Stock—The Company accounts for Treasury stock using the cost method. Treasury stock held by the Company may be reissued with respect to vested RSUs in qualified jurisdictions. The Company’s policy is to account for these shares as a reduction of Treasury stock on a first-in, first-out basis.
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and Transactions	'
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments and Transactions— Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at the period end rates of exchange, and revenue and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange for the period. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are reflected in foreign currency translation adjustments and are reported as a separate component of comprehensive (loss) income and included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. The revaluation of asset and liability balances that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the business unit involved in such transactions is reflected in Other Income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net gains (losses) resulting from remeasurement of foreign currency transactions and balances were $(2,809) and $2,212 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $(2,694) and $1,757 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements—In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters” (“ASU 2013-05”), which clarifies the accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment when a parent either sells or transfers a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a foreign subsidiary or group of assets. ASU 2013-05 provides that the parent should release cumulative translation adjustment into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. This guidance was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2014, and is being applied prospectively.  The adoption of ASU 2013-05 does not have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, unless such tax loss or credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes resulting from the disallowance of a tax position. In the event that the tax position is disallowed or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit shall be presented in the financial statements as a liability and shall not be combined with deferred tax assets. The guidance was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2014, and is being applied prospectively. The Company does not expect that the adoption of ASU 2013-11 will have a material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”). ASU 2014-08 changes the criteria for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations and requires new disclosures about disposals of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the new definition. The guidance is effective beginning in the first quarter of 2015. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 defines how companies report revenues from contracts with customers, and also requires enhanced disclosures. The guidance is effective beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This standard sets forth management’s responsibility to evaluate, each reporting period, whether there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and if so, to provide related footnote disclosures. The guidance is effective for the Company’s 2016 annual financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

RECEIVABLES_FROM_AND_PAYABLES_1

RECEIVABLES FROM AND PAYABLES TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
RECEIVABLES FROM AND PAYABLES TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS	'
Schedule of amounts receivable from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:
	Contract value of fails to deliver	$	585,618	$	123,470
	Receivables from and deposits with clearing organizations and financial institutions	132,329		172,257
	Net pending trades	5,922		—
	Total	$	723,869	$	295,727
	Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:
	Contract value of fails to receive	$	570,361	$	123,393
	Payables to clearing organizations and financial institutions	16,432		3,052
	Net pending trades	—		455
	Total	$	586,793	$	126,900
Schedule of cash and securities segregated under federal and other regulations or Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,661	—
	Cash segregated under federal and other regulations	54,745		62,684
	Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	77,552		114,839
	Total	$	134,958	$	177,523

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS1

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
Schedule of changes in the carrying amount of the Company's goodwill	'
		December 31,		Goodwill		Impairment			Adjustments			Foreign currency		September 30,
		2013		acquired		charges						translation		2014
	Goodwill
	Americas Brokerage	$	83,289	$	—	$	(83,289	)	$	—		$	—	$	—
	EMEA Brokerage	14,637		—		(14,790		)	—			153		—
	Clearing and Backed Trading	23,259		—		(23,540		)	—			281		—
	All Other	134,735		—		—			(60		)	27		134,702
		$	255,920	$	—	$	(121,619	)	$	(60	)	$	461	$	134,702
Schedule of intangible assets	'
		September 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated		Net			Gross			Accumulated		Net
		amount		amortization		carrying			amount			amortization		carrying
				and foreign		value						and foreign		value
				currency								currency
				translation								translation
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	$	77,196	$	48,134	$	29,062		$	77,196		$	42,151	$	35,045
	Trade names	8,951		7,070		1,881			8,951			6,674		2,277
	Core technology	11,950		6,968		4,982			11,950			6,285		5,665
	Non-compete agreements	3,865		3,515		350			3,865			3,478		387
	Favorable lease agreements	620		620		—			620			580		40
	Patents	3,131		1,595		1,536			3,131			1,221		1,910
	Other	647		326		321			647			287		360
	Total	$	106,360	$	68,228	$	38,132		$	106,360		$	60,676	$	45,684
Schedule of expected amortization expense for the definite lived intangible assets	'
	2014 (remaining three months)	$	2,377
	2015	9,443
	2016	7,574
	2017	4,302
	2018	3,481
	Thereafter	10,955
	Total	$	38,132

OTHER_ASSETS_AND_OTHER_LIABILI1

OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES	'
Schedule of other assets	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Deferred tax assets	$	88,559	$	45,694
	Investments accounted for under the cost method and equity method	30,494		42,063
	Prepaid bonuses	18,957		23,499
	Forgivable employee loans and advances to employees	17,645		24,109
	Deferred financing fees	5,510		6,786
	Software inventory, net	4,103		4,749
	Financial instruments owned	1,834		1,416
	Other	24,720		29,528
	Total Other assets	$	191,822	$	177,844
Schedule of other liabilities	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Payroll related liabilities	$	29,040	$	15,896
	Deferred revenues	9,765		9,199
	Unrecognized tax benefits	8,396		8,676
	Deferred tax liabilities	6,056		6,835
	Contingent consideration liabilities	1,293		4,317
	Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	865		993
	Other	27,673		37,155
	Total Other liabilities	$	83,088	$	83,071

SHORTTERM_BORROWINGS_AND_LONGT1

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT	'
Schedule of outstanding debt obligations	'
			September 30,				December 31,
			2014				2013
	8.375% Senior Notes due 2018		$	240,000			$	240,000
	Loans pursuant to Credit Agreement		10,000				10,000
	Total		$	250,000			$	250,000
Schedule of the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company's Long-term debt	'
			September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
			Carrying		Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
			Amount				Amount
	8.375% Senior Notes	$	240,000	$	283,800	$	240,000	$	251,100

LOSS_EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
Schedule of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Basic (loss) earnings per share
	GFI’s net (loss) income	$	(7,691	)	$	(461	)	$	(101,484	)	$	10,904
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	125,407,225			120,331,179			124,237,643			118,138,756
	Basic (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.00	)	$	(0.82	)	$	0.09
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share
	GFI’s net (loss) income	$	(7,691	)	$	(461	)	$	(101,484	)	$	10,904
	Weighted average common shares outstanding	125,407,225			120,331,179			124,237,643			118,138,756
	Effect of dilutive options, RSUs, and other contingently issuable shares	—			—			—			8,719,703
	Weighted average shares outstanding and common stock equivalents	125,407,225			120,331,179			124,237,643			126,858,459
	Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.00	)	$	(0.82	)	$	0.09
Schedule of securities excluded from the computation of diluted (loss) earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive	'
		Three Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,
		2014			2013			2014
	Stock Options	$	6,316		$	356,008		$	6,316
	RSUs	14,552,349			18,683,552			14,552,349
	Contingently issuable shares	1,171,879			1,171,879			1,171,879
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013
	Stock Options	$	69,476
	RSUs	2,660,905

DEFERRED_COMPENSATION_Tables

DEFERRED COMPENSATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	'
Summary of RSU transactions	'
		RSUs		Weighted-
				Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Outstanding December 31, 2013	18,483,001		$	4.01
	Granted	3,205,621		3.59
	Vested	(6,378,362	)	4.04
	Cancelled	(757,911	)	3.65
	Outstanding September 30, 2014	14,552,349		4.02
Schedule of total compensation expense and related income tax benefits recognized in relation to RSUs	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Compensation expense	$	5,516		$	6,870	$	18,866	$	22,372
	Income tax benefits	$	1,547		$	1,913	$	5,342	$	6,655
Stock options outstanding under the GFI Group 2002 Plan	'
		Options		Weighted
				Average
				Exercise
				Price
	Outstanding December 31, 2013	139,164		$	4.16
	Exercised	(22,948	)	2.97
	Cancelled	—		—
	Expired	(109,900	)	4.28
	Outstanding September 30, 2014	6,316		5.25
Schedule of total compensation expense recognized in relation to deferred cash compensation awards	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Compensation expense	$	55		$	8	$	69	$	15

FAIR_VALUE_OF_FINANCIAL_INSTRU1

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
Schedule of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Balance at
		Active Markets for			Observable			Unobservable			September 30,
		Identical Assets			Inputs			Inputs			2014
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets
	Other assets: Financial instruments owned:
	Equity securities	$	—		$	163		$	—		$	163
	Derivative contracts:
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	138		$	1,533		$	—		$	1,671
	Commodities derivative contracts	110			—			—			110
	Netting (1)	(110		)	—			—			(110		)
	Total derivative contracts	$	138		$	1,533		$	—		$	1,671
	Total financial instruments owned	$	138		$	1,696		$	—		$	1,834
	Total	$	138		$	1,696		$	—		$	1,834
	Liabilities
	Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
	Debt securities	$	—		$	311		$	—		$	311
	Derivative contracts:
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	—		$	513		$	—		$	513
	Commodities derivative contracts	151			—			—			151
	Netting (1)	(110		)	$	—		$	—		$	(110	)
	Total derivative contracts	$	41		$	513		$	—		$	554
	Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	$	41		$	824		$	—		$	865
	Other liabilities: Contingent consideration	$	—		$	—		$	1,293		$	1,293
	Total	$	41		$	824		$	1,293		$	2,158
	(1)                 Represents the impact of netting on a net-by-counterparty basis.
		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other			Significant			Balance at
		Active Markets for			Observable			Unobservable			December 31,
		Identical Assets			Inputs			Inputs			2013
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	Assets
	Other assets: Financial instruments owned:
	Equity securities	$	546		$	177		$	—		$	723
	Derivative contracts:
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	—		$	679		$	—		$	679
	Equity derivative contracts	—			—			14			14
	Netting (1)	—				—		—				—
	Total derivative contracts	$	—		$	679		$	14		$	693
	Total financial instruments owned	$	546		$	856		$	14		$	1,416
	Other assets: Other:
	Equity security, available-for-sale	$	5,465		$	—		$	—		$	5,465
	Total	$	6,011		$	856		$	14		$	6,881
	Liabilities
	Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
	Derivative contracts:
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	—		$	993		$	—		$	993
	Netting (1)	—			—			—			—
	Total derivative contracts	$	—		993			—			993
	Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	$	—		$	993		$	—		$	993
	Other liabilities: Contingent consideration	$	—		$	—		$	4,317		$	4,317
	Total	$	—		$	993		$	4,317		$	5,310
	(1)                 Represents the impact of netting on a net-by-counterparty basis.
Schedule of changes in Level 3 financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:
		Opening			Total realized			Unrealized gains			Purchases			Issues		Sales		Settlements			Closing		Unrealized
		Balance			and unrealized			(losses)													Balance at		gains
					gains (losses)			included													September 30,		(losses) for Level
					included in			in Other													2014		3 Assets /
					Net loss (1)			comprehensive															Liabilities
								loss															Outstanding at
																							September 30,
																							2014
	Liabilities
	Other liabilities:
	Contingent consideration:	$	1,519		$	150		$	76		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	1,293	$	150
	(1)                 Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
		Opening			Total realized			Unrealized gains			Purchases			Issuances		Sales		Settlements			Closing		Unrealized gains
		Balance			and unrealized			(losses) included													Balance at		(losses) for Level
					gains (losses)			in Other													September		3 Assets /
					included in			comprehensive													30,		Liabilities
					Net loss (1)			income													2013		Outstanding at
																							September 30,
																							2013
	Assets
	Other assets:
	Financial instruments owned:
	Equity derivative contracts	$	14		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	14	$	—
	Liabilities
	Other liabilities:
	Future purchase commitment	$	798		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	(798	)	$	—	$	—
	Contingent consideration	$	204		$	(55	)	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	(159	)	$	100	$	(55	)
	(1)                 Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:
		Opening			Total realized			Unrealized gains			Purchases			Issues		Sales		Settlements			Closing		Unrealized
		Balance			and unrealized			(losses)													Balance at		gains
					gains (losses)			included													September 30,		(losses) for Level
					included in			in Other													2014		3 Assets /
					Net loss (1)			comprehensive															Liabilities
								loss															Outstanding at
																							September 30,
																							2014
	Assets
	Other assets:
	Financial instruments owned:
	Equity derivative contracts	$	14		$	(14	)	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
	Liabilities
	Other liabilities:
	Contingent consideration	$	4,317		$	2,832		$	(5	)	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	197		$	1,293	$	2,865
	(1)                 Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
		Opening			Total realized			Unrealized gains			Purchases			Issues		Sales		Settlements			Closing		Unrealized
		Balance			and unrealized			included													Balance at		gains
					gains (losses)			in Other													September 30,		(losses) for Level
					included in			comprehensive													2013		3 Assets /
					Net income (1)			loss															Liabilities
																							Outstanding at
																							September 30,
																							2013
	Assets
	Other assets:
	Financial instruments owned:
	Equity derivative contracts	$	28		$	(14	)	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	14	$	(14	)
	Liabilities
	Other liabilities:
	Future purchase commitment	$	3,209		$	2,203		$	208		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	(798	)	$	—	$	—
Contingent consideration	$	518		$	(55	)	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	(473	)	$	100	$	(55	)
(1)     Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are reported in Other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Schedule of significant unobservable inputs utilized by the company in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
		Fair Value as of			Valuation		Unobservable Input(s)		Range (Weighted
		September 30,			Technique(s)				Average) (a)
		2014
	Liabilities
	Contingent consideration	$	1,293		Present value of expected payments		Discount rate		17	%
							Forecasted financial information		(b)
		Fair Value as of			Valuation		Unobservable Input(s)		Range (Weighted
		December 31,			Technique(s)				Average) (a)
		2013
	Assets
	Equity derivative contracts	$	14		Black-Scholes Merton Model		Expected volatility		30	%
	Liabilities
	Contingent consideration	$	4,317		Present value of expected payments		Discount rate		17	%
							Forecasted financial information		(b)
	(a)     As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, each asset and liability type consists of one security.
	(b)     The Company’s estimate of contingent consideration as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, was principally based on the acquired business’ projected future financial performance, including revenues and operating margins from May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015.

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN1

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
Schedule of fair values of derivative contracts on a gross and net basis	'
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Derivatives not designated as hedging	Derivative			Derivative			Derivative		Derivative
	instruments under ASC 815-10 (1)	Assets(2)			Liabilities(3)			Assets(2)		Liabilities(3)
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	1,671		$	513		$	679	$	993
	Commodity derivative contracts	110			151			—		—
	Fixed income derivative contracts	—			—			—		—
	Equity derivative contracts	—			—			14		—
	Total fair value of derivative contracts	$	1,781		$	664		$	693	$	993
	Counterparty netting	(110		)	(110		)	—		—
	Total fair value	$	1,671		$	554		$	693	$	993
	(1)           Excluded from the above table is variation margin on open long and short futures contracts which is included in Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations,  on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. See Note 13 for further details about variation margin balances on open long and short futures contracts as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  Gross notional amounts on these futures contracts are included in the table below which details outstanding long and short notional amounts of derivative financial instruments.
	(2)           Reflects options and forwards contracts within Other assets.
	(3)           Reflects options and forwards contracts within Other liabilities.
Schedule of outstanding long and short notional amounts on a gross basis of derivative financial instruments	'
		September 30, 2014 (1)						December 31, 2013 (2)
		Long			Short			Long		Short
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	$	346		$	162,223		$	—	$	—
	Commodity derivative contracts	1,237,496			1,237,614			349,004		342,573
	Fixed income derivative contracts	6,264,927			6,142,614			9,415,546		10,047,771
	Equity derivative contracts	3,901			3,804			5,731		220
	Total derivative notional amounts	$	7,506,670		$	7,546,255		$	9,770,281	$	10,390,564
	(1)           Notional amounts include gross notionals on open long and short futures contracts of $7,506,390 and $7,546,026, respectively, as of September 30, 2014.
	(2)           Notional amounts include gross notionals on open long and short futures contracts of $9,652,419 and $10,248,687, respectively, as of December 31, 2013.
Summary of the effect of derivative contracts on the Consolidated Statements of Operations	'
		Location of Gain (Loss)		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on
				Derivatives
	Derivatives not designated as hedging	Recognized in Income on		For the Three Months			For the Three Months Ended
	instruments under ASC 815-10	Derivatives		Ended September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	-1		$	2,308		$	(500	)
	Commodity derivative contracts	Principal transactions		2,498			1,398
	Fixed income derivative contracts	Principal transactions		1,096			3,129
	Equity derivative contracts	-2		57			24
	(1)     For the three months ended September 30, 2014, approximately $2,199 of gains on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $109 of gains on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions.  For the three months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $736 of losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $236 of gains on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions.
	(2)     For the three months ended September 30, 2014, approximately $57 of gains on equity derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $24 of gains on equity derivative contracts included within Principal transactions.
		Location of Gain (Loss)		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on
				Derivatives
	Derivatives not designated as hedging	Recognized in Income on		For the Nine Months		For the Nine Months Ended
	instruments under ASC 815-10	Derivatives		Ended September 30, 2014		September 30, 2013
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	-1		3,671		$	(1,926	)
	Commodity derivative contracts	Principal transactions		6,812		6,621
	Fixed income derivative contracts	Principal transactions		5,971		11,126
	Equity derivative contracts	-2		148		(164		)
	(1)     For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, approximately $3,389 of gains on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $283 of gains on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $1,517 of losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $409 of losses on foreign currency options were included within Principal transactions.
	(2)     For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, approximately $14 of losses on equity derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $162 of gains on equity derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, approximately $14 of losses on equity derivative contracts were included within Other income, net and approximately $150 of losses on equity derivative contracts were included within Principal transactions.
Summary of derivative contracts, by counterparty, including the gross amounts offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	'
	The following is a summary of derivative contracts, by counterparty, including the gross amounts offset in the Condensed   Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of September 30, 2014:
					Gross Amount			Net Amounts of		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
					Offset in the			Assets Offset in the		Condensed Consolidated Statements
										of Financial Condition
	Counterparties (1)	Gross			Condensed			Condensed		Derivatives (3)		Cash Collateral		Net Amount
		Amounts of			Consolidated			Consolidated				Received/
		Recognized			Statements of			Statements of				(Pledged)
		Assets			Financial Position			Financial Position (2)
	Derivative Assets:
	Counterparty A	$	1,166		$	—		$	1,166	$	—	$	—	$	1,166
	Counterparty B	248			(110		)	138		—		—		138
	Counterparty C	367			—			367		—		—		367
	Total	$	1,781		$	(110	)	$	1,671	$	—	$	—	$	1,671
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Counterparty A	$	50		$	—		$	50	$	—	$	—	$	50
	Counterparty B	151			(110		)	41		—		—		41
	Counterparty C	463			—			463		—		—		463
	Total	$	664		$	(110	)	$	554	$	—	$	—	$	554
	(1)     Excluded from the above table is variation margin on open long and short futures contracts which is included in Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations  and Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. See Note 13 for further details about variation margin balances on open long and short futures contracts as of September 30, 2014.
	(2)     Derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reflected within Other assets and Other Liabilities, respectively.
	(3)     As of September 30, 2014, the Company does not have any derivative positions under a master netting agreement that are not netted.
	The following is a summary of derivative contracts, by counterparty, including the gross amounts offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2013:
					Gross Amounts			Net Amounts of		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
					Offset in the			Assets Offset in the		Condensed Consolidated Statements
										of Financial Condition
	Counterparties (1)	Gross Amounts of			Condensed			Condensed		Derivatives (3)		Cash Collateral		Net Amount
		Recognized			Consolidated			Consolidated				Received/
		Assets			Statements of			Statements of				(Pledged)
					Financial Position			Financial Position (2)
	Derivative Assets:
	Counterparty A	$	268		$	—		$	268	$	—	$	—	$	268
	Counterparty C	411			—			411		—		—		411
	Counterparty D	14			—			14		—		—		14
	Total	$	693		$	—		$	693	$	—	$	—	$	693
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Counterparty A	$	834		$	—		$	834	$	—	$	—	$	834
	Counterparty C	159			—			159		—		—		159
	Total	$	993		$	—		$	993	$	—	$	—	$	993
	(1)     Excluded from the above table is variation margin on open long and short futures contracts which is included in Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations,  on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. See Note 13 for further details about variation margin balances on open long and short futures contracts as of December 31, 2013.
	(2)     Derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reflected within Other assets and Other Liabilities, respectively.
	(3)     As of December 31, 2013, the Company does not have any derivative positions under a master netting agreement that are not netted.

REGULATORY_REQUIREMENTS_Tables

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS	'
Schedule of aggregate regulatory capital in individually regulated entities in its operating regions	'
		Americas		EMEA		Asia
	Regulatory capital	$	34,447	$	138,402	$	33,900
	Minimum regulatory capital required	7,507		112,654		9,227
	Excess regulatory capital	$	26,940	$	25,748	$	24,673

SEGMENT_AND_GEOGRAPHIC_INFORMA1

SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'
Schedule of financial information for the Company's reportable segments	'
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Americas			EMEA		Asia		Clearing			All Other			Total
		Brokerage			Brokerage		Brokerage		and Backed
									Trading
	Total revenues	$	55,443		$	78,355	$	19,472	$	32,382		$	24,649		$	210,301
	Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	52,875			76,170		19,377		7,097			25,460			180,979
	(Loss) income before income taxes	15,586			24,449		5,678		(1,906		)	(51,323		)	(7,516		)
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Americas			EMEA		Asia		Clearing			All Other			Total
		Brokerage			Brokerage		Brokerage		and Backed
									Trading
	Total revenues	$	60,384		$	72,275	$	15,730	$	40,721		$	23,323		$	212,433
	Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	57,995			70,283		15,653		8,702			23,607			176,240
	Income (loss) before income taxes	15,515			19,078		3,438		(1,067		)	(38,120		)	(1,156		)
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Americas			EMEA		Asia		Clearing			All Other			Total
		Brokerage			Brokerage		Brokerage		and Backed
									Trading
	Total revenues	$	173,561		$	248,913	$	55,797	$	112,154		$	78,720		$	669,145
	Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	165,434			241,683		55,436		26,236			80,946			569,735
	(Loss) income before income taxes	(39,883		)	62,574		15,468		(25,604		)	(143,516		)	(130,961		)
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Americas			EMEA		Asia		Clearing			All Other			Total
		Brokerage			Brokerage		Brokerage		and Backed
									Trading
	Total revenues	$	202,765		$	237,102	$	52,952	$	140,960		$	65,324		$	699,103
	Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	194,372			230,031		52,693		32,840			66,253			576,189
	Income (loss) before income taxes	56,139			65,756		13,257		2,492			(131,118		)	6,526
Schedule of geographic information regarding revenues and long-lived assets	'
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Revenues:
	United States	$	54,075		$	61,067	$	172,383	$	203,544
	United Kingdom	105,938			105,471		343,286		346,166
	Other	50,288			45,895		153,476		149,393
	Total	$	210,301		$	212,433	$	669,145	$	699,103
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses:
	United States	$	53,356		$	60,010	$	169,697	$	199,181
	United Kingdom	79,354			72,764		253,485		235,884
	Other	48,269			43,467		146,553		141,124
	Total	$	180,979		$	176,240	$	569,735	$	576,189
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Long-lived Assets, as defined:
	United States	$	49,982		$	49,987
	United Kingdom	10,132			11,762
	Other	3,979			4,396
	Total	$	64,093		$	66,145

ORGANIZATION_AND_BUSINESS_Deta

ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS (Details) (JPI)	Sep. 30, 2014
JPI	'
Organization and Business	'
Ownership by Jersey Partners, Inc. (as a percent)	37.00%

CME_MERGER_AND_UNSOLICITED_TEN1

CME MERGER AND UNSOLICITED TENDER OFFER BY BGC (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 30, 2014	Sep. 08, 2014	Jul. 30, 2014
	CME	BGC	JPI
	GFI	GFI	CME
			Brokerage and clearing businesses
Acquisition by BGC	'	'	'
Numerator price for calculation of Exchange Ratio (in dollars per shares)	$4.55	'	'
Number of trading days	'10 days	'	'
Payment to acquire wholesale brokerage and clearing businesses	'	'	$165,000
Unvested deferred compensation and other obligations	'	'	$63,000
Percentage of outstanding shares to acquire	'	100.00%	'
Purchase consideration per share in cash (in dollars per share)	'	$5.25	'

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			item
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Number of VIEs in which the company is the primary beneficiary	'	'	1	'	'
Prepaid bonuses	$18,957	'	$18,957	'	$23,499
Forgivable employee loans and advances to employees	17,645	'	17,645	'	24,109
Amortization of prepaid bonuses and forgivable employee loans	'	'	17,893	19,904	'
Carrying amount of equity method investments	28,716	'	28,716	'	36,976
Carrying amount of cost-method investments	1,778	'	1,778	'	5,087
Fair value of available-for-sale securities	0	'	0	'	5,465
Benefit from income taxes	56	1,127	30,239	5,267	'
Discrete tax benefit attributable to non-cash goodwill impairment charges	'	'	29,151	'	'
Taxes previously provided under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012	'	'	'	2,655	'
Deductibility of reserve previously deemed nondeductible	'	'	'	1,177	'
Tax liability in a foreign subsidiary which statute of limitations expired	'	'	'	1,359	'
Net gains (losses) resulting from remeasurement of foreign currency transactions and balances	($2,809)	$2,212	($2,694)	$1,757	'
Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization period of prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans	'	'	'2 years	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization period of prepaid bonuses and forgivable loans	'	'	'4 years	'	'
Software revenue | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Period for recognition of deferred revenue	'	'	'1 year	'	'
Software revenue | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Period for recognition of deferred revenue	'	'	'5 years	'	'
Analytics revenue	'	'	'	'	'
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Period for recognition of deferred revenue	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Market data subscription revenue | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Period for recognition of deferred revenue	'	'	'1 year	'	'
Market data subscription revenue | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Period for recognition of deferred revenue	'	'	'2 years	'	'
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Useful life	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Useful life	'	'	'7 years	'	'
Computer software	'	'	'	'	'
Significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'
Useful life	'	'	'3 years	'	'

RECEIVABLES_FROM_AND_PAYABLES_2

RECEIVABLES FROM AND PAYABLES TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:	'	'
Contract value of fails to deliver	$585,618	$123,470
Receivables from and deposits with clearing organizations and financial institutions	132,329	172,257
Net pending trades	5,922	'
Total	723,869	295,727
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:	'	'
Contract value of fails to receive	570,361	123,393
Payables to clearing organizations and financial institutions	16,432	3,052
Net pending trades	'	455
Total	$586,793	$126,900

RECEIVABLES_FROM_AND_PAYABLES_3

RECEIVABLES FROM AND PAYABLES TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash payable to clearing customers	'	'
Payables to clearing services customers	$134,958	$177,523
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash payable to clearing customers	'	'
Payables to clearing services customers	2,661	'
Cash segregated under federal and other regulations	'	'
Cash payable to clearing customers	'	'
Payables to clearing services customers	54,745	62,684
Receivables from brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations	'	'
Cash payable to clearing customers	'	'
Payables to clearing services customers	$77,552	$114,839

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			Clearing and Backed Trading	Reportable segment	Reportable segment	Reportable segment	Reportable segment	All other
				CME	Americas Brokerage	EMEA Brokerage	Clearing and Backed Trading
				JPI
Goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill at the beginning of the period	'	$255,920	'	'	$83,289	$14,637	$23,259	$134,735
Impairment charges	-121,619	-121,619	-18,918	'	-83,289	-14,790	-23,540	'
Adjustments	'	-60	'	'	'	'	'	-60
Foreign currency translation	'	461	'	'	'	153	281	27
Goodwill at the end of the period	'	134,702	'	'	'	'	'	134,702
Payment to acquire wholesale brokerage and clearing businesses	'	'	'	165,000	'	'	'	'
Unvested deferred compensation and other obligations	'	'	'	63,000	'	'	'	'
Fair value of goodwill	'	'	'	'	$0	$0	$0	'

GOODWILL_AND_INTANGIBLE_ASSETS3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Gross amount	$106,360	'	$106,360	'	$106,360
Accumulated amortization and foreign currency translation	68,228	'	68,228	'	60,676
Net carrying value	38,132	'	38,132	'	45,684
Intangible amortization expense	2,438	2,339	7,355	7,308	'
Expected amortization expense for the definite lived intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'
2014 (remaining three months)	2,377	'	2,377	'	'
2015	9,443	'	9,443	'	'
2016	7,574	'	7,574	'	'
2017	4,302	'	4,302	'	'
2018	3,481	'	3,481	'	'
Thereafter	10,955	'	10,955	'	'
Customer relationships	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Gross amount	77,196	'	77,196	'	77,196
Accumulated amortization and foreign currency translation	48,134	'	48,134	'	42,151
Net carrying value	29,062	'	29,062	'	35,045
Trade names	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Gross amount	8,951	'	8,951	'	8,951
Accumulated amortization and foreign currency translation	7,070	'	7,070	'	6,674
Net carrying value	1,881	'	1,881	'	2,277
Core technology	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Gross amount	11,950	'	11,950	'	11,950
Accumulated amortization and foreign currency translation	6,968	'	6,968	'	6,285
Net carrying value	4,982	'	4,982	'	5,665
Non-compete agreements	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Gross amount	3,865	'	3,865	'	3,865
Accumulated amortization and foreign currency translation	3,515	'	3,515	'	3,478
Net carrying value	350	'	350	'	387
Favorable lease agreements	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Gross amount	620	'	620	'	620
Accumulated amortization and foreign currency translation	620	'	620	'	580
Net carrying value	'	'	'	'	40
Patents	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Gross amount	3,131	'	3,131	'	3,131
Accumulated amortization and foreign currency translation	1,595	'	1,595	'	1,221
Net carrying value	1,536	'	1,536	'	1,910
Other	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Gross amount	647	'	647	'	647
Accumulated amortization and foreign currency translation	326	'	326	'	287
Net carrying value	$321	'	$321	'	$360

OTHER_ASSETS_AND_OTHER_LIABILI2

OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other assets	'	'
Deferred tax assets	$88,559	$45,694
Investments accounted for under the cost method and equity method	30,494	42,063
Prepaid bonuses	18,957	23,499
Forgivable employee loans and advances to employees	17,645	24,109
Deferred financing fees	5,510	6,786
Software inventory, net	4,103	4,749
Financial instruments owned	1,834	1,416
Other	24,720	29,528
Total Other assets	$191,822	$177,844

OTHER_ASSETS_AND_OTHER_LIABILI3

OTHER ASSETS AND OTHER LIABILITIES (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other liabilities	'	'
Payroll related liabilities	$29,040	$15,896
Deferred revenues	9,765	9,199
Unrecognized tax benefits	8,396	8,676
Deferred tax liabilities	6,056	6,835
Contingent consideration liabilities	1,293	4,317
Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	865	993
Other	27,673	37,155
Total Other liabilities	$83,088	$83,071

SHORTTERM_BORROWINGS_AND_LONGT2

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 26, 2013

Apr. 19, 2013

Jan. 18, 2013

Jul. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 21, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

8.375% Senior Notes due 2018

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Letters of credit

Maximum

Maturity by December 2013

Maturity by December 2015

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

'

$240,000

$240,000

'

'

'

'

$240,000

$240,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans pursuant to Credit Agreement

'

10,000

10,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total

'

250,000

250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

240,000

240,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

283,800

251,100

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.38%

8.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Price of notes as percentage of principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Transaction costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,100

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount of notes exchanged for notes registered under the Securities Act

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate purchase price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,602

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in per annum interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

0.25%

0.50%

0.50%

'

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate at the end of the period (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional interest per annum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,800

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000

'

'

75,000

'

18,750

56,250

50,000

Minimum consolidated capital under debt agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

375,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment of goodwill

121,619

121,619

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill or asset impairment charge threshold limit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

160,000

'

'

'

Interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized deferred financing fees

'

$5,510

$6,786

'

'

'

'

$4,733

$5,669

'

'

$777

'

$1,117

'

'

'

'

'

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Details

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	30-May-14	Mar. 28, 2014	Aug. 30, 2013	31-May-13	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash dividend paid (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	'	'
Total cash dividend paid	$6,294	$6,188	$6,096	$5,999	$12,482	$12,095

LOSS_EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Detail

(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Basic (loss) earnings per share	'	'	'	'
GFI's net (loss) income	($7,691)	($461)	($101,484)	$10,904
Weighted average common shares outstanding	125,407,225	120,331,179	124,237,643	118,138,756
Basic (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	($0.06)	$0	($0.82)	$0.09
Diluted (loss) earnings per share	'	'	'	'
GFI's net (loss) income	($7,691)	($461)	($101,484)	$10,904
Weighted average common shares outstanding	125,407,225	120,331,179	124,237,643	118,138,756
Effect of dilutive options, RSUs and other contingently issuable shares	'	'	'	8,719,703
Weighted average shares outstanding and common stock equivalents	125,407,225	120,331,179	124,237,643	126,858,459
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	($0.06)	$0	($0.82)	$0.09
LOSS PER SHARE	'	'	'	'
Contingently issuable shares	1,171,879	1,171,879	1,171,879	2,736,121
RSUs	'	'	'	'
LOSS PER SHARE	'	'	'	'
Securities excluded from computation of diluted loss per share as a result of net loss (in shares)	14,552,349	18,683,552	14,552,349	2,660,905
Stock Options	'	'	'	'
LOSS PER SHARE	'	'	'	'
Securities excluded from computation of diluted loss per share as a result of net loss (in shares)	6,316	356,008	6,316	69,476

DEFERRED_COMPENSATION_Details

DEFERRED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Options	'	'	'	'
Additional disclosures	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	$0	$0	$0	$0
2008 Equity Incentive Plan	'	'	'	'
DEFERRED COMPENSATION	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock available for future grants of awards	8,398,540	'	8,398,540	'
2008 Equity Incentive Plan and 2004 Equity Incentive Plan | Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	'	'	18,483,001	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	3,205,621	'
Vested (in shares)	'	'	-6,378,362	'
Cancelled (in shares)	'	'	-757,911	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	14,552,349	'	14,552,349	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$4.01	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$3.59	$3.71
Vested (in dollars per share)	'	'	$4.04	'
Cancelled (in dollars per share)	'	'	$3.65	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$4.02	'	$4.02	'
Total compensation expense and related income tax benefits	'	'	'	'
Compensation expense	5,516	6,870	18,866	22,372
Income tax benefits	1,547	1,913	5,342	6,655
Total unrecognized compensation cost	39,411	'	39,411	'
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized	'	'	'1 year 6 months 11 days	'
Total fair value of shares vested	'	'	$25,793	$28,395
GFI Group 2002 Plan | Stock Options	'	'	'	'
Stock Options	'	'	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	'	'	139,164	'
Exercised (in shares)	'	'	-22,948,000	'
Expired (in shares)	'	'	-109,900,000	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	6,316,000	'	6,316,000	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$4.16	'
Exercised (in dollars per share)	'	'	$2.97	'
Expired (in dollars per share)	'	'	$4.28	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$5.25	'	$5.25	'

DEFERRED_COMPENSATION_Details_

DEFERRED COMPENSATION (Details 2) (Deferred cash compensation awards, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred cash compensation awards	'	'	'	'
Deferred Cash Compensation	'	'	'	'
Compensation expense	$55	$8	$69	$15
Total unrecognized compensation cost	$3,890	'	$3,890	'
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized	'	'	'2 years 11 months 5 days	'

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	item
Purchase Obligations	'
Other purchase commitments	5,333
Other purchase commitments due within the next twelve months	3,126
CME | GFI	'
Purchase Obligations	'
Number of putative class action complaints	9
CME | GFI | Case filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York	'
Purchase Obligations	'
Number of putative class action complaints	2
CME | GFI | Case filed in Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware	'
Purchase Obligations	'
Number of putative class action complaints	6
Percentage of affirmative votes required for approval of transaction	67.00%
CME | GFI | Case filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York	'
Purchase Obligations	'
Number of putative class action complaints	1
Market data	'
Purchase Obligations	'
Total purchase commitments	25,751
Purchase commitments due within the next twelve months	20,262
Purchase commitments due between one to three years	5,489
Network upgrades	'
Purchase Obligations	'
Other purchase commitments	1,253
Hosting and software license agreements	'
Purchase Obligations	'
Other purchase commitments	4,080

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_1

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details 2)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 14, 2013	Nov. 14, 2013
	USD ($)	USD ($)	Contigo Limited	Contigo Limited
			USD ($)	GBP (£)
Contingencies	'	'	'	'
Range of possible loss, minimum	$0	'	'	'
Range of possible loss, maximum	8,100,000	'	'	'
Contingent consideration	$1,293,000	$4,317,000	$3,942,000	£ 2,458,000

FAIR_VALUE_OF_FINANCIAL_INSTRU2

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 14, 2013
	item	Contigo Limited
Valuation Techniques	'	'
Number of acquisitions with contingent consideration	1	'
Percentage of common stock	'	50.00%

FAIR_VALUE_OF_FINANCIAL_INSTRU3

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	$1,834	$1,416
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	865	993
Other liabilities: Contingent consideration	1,293	4,317
Excluded portion	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Margin on net long derivative contracts related to exchange traded futures included within receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	147	388
Margin on net short derivative contracts related to exchange traded futures included within payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	47	596
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	138	546
Other assets: Other:	'	'
Equity security, available-for-sale	'	5,465
Total	138	6,011
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	41	'
Total	41	'
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Equity securities	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	'	546
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	138	'
Netting	-110	'
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	41	'
Netting	-110	'
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign exchange derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	138	'
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Commodities derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	110	'
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	151	'
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	1,696	856
Other assets: Other:	'	'
Total	1,696	856
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	824	993
Total	824	993
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Debt securities	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	311	'
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Equity securities	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	163	177
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	1,533	679
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	513	993
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign exchange derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	1,533	679
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	513	993
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	'	14
Other assets: Other:	'	'
Total	'	14
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Contingent consideration	1,293	4,317
Total	1,293	4,317
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	'	14
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Equity derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	'	14
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Total	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	1,834	1,416
Other assets: Other:	'	'
Equity security, available-for-sale	'	5,465
Total	1,834	6,881
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	865	993
Other liabilities: Contingent consideration	1,293	4,317
Total	2,158	5,310
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Total | Debt securities	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	311	'
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Total | Equity securities	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	163	723
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Total | Derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	1,671	693
Netting	-110	'
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	554	993
Netting	-110	'
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Total | Foreign exchange derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	1,671	679
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	513	993
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Total | Commodities derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	110	'
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities: Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased	151	'
Fair value measured on a recurring basis | Total | Equity derivative contracts	'	'
Assets	'	'
Other assets: Financial instruments owned	'	$14

FAIR_VALUE_OF_FINANCIAL_INSTRU4

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 3) (Equity derivative contracts, Recurring basis, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Equity derivative contracts | Recurring basis	'	'	'
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets measured at fair value	'	'	'
Opening Balance	$14	$28	$14
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Net income (loss)	-14	-14	'
Closing Balance	'	14	14
Unrealized gains (losses) for Level 3 Assets outstanding at end of the period	'	($14)	'

FAIR_VALUE_OF_FINANCIAL_INSTRU5

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 4) (Recurring basis, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Future purchase commitment	'	'	'	'
Changes in Level 3 Financial Liabilities measured at fair value	'	'	'	'
Opening Balance	'	$798	'	$3,209
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Net income	'	'	'	2,203
Unrealized gains included in Other Comprehensive (income) loss	'	'	'	208
Settlements	'	-798	'	-798
Contingent consideration	'	'	'	'
Changes in Level 3 Financial Liabilities measured at fair value	'	'	'	'
Opening Balance	1,519	204	4,317	518
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Net income	150	-55	2,832	-55
Unrealized gains included in Other Comprehensive (income) loss	76	'	-5	'
Settlements	'	-159	197	-473
Closing Balance	1,293	100	1,293	100
Unrealized gains (losses) for Level 3 Liabilities outstanding at end of the period	$150	($55)	$2,865	($55)

FAIR_VALUE_OF_FINANCIAL_INSTRU6

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 5) (Fair value measured on a recurring basis, Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3), USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair value, Unobservable Input	'	'
Fair Value, Assets	'	14
Fair Value, Liabilities	1,293	4,317
Contingent consideration	'	'
Fair value, Unobservable Input	'	'
Fair Value, Liabilities	1,293	4,317
Contingent consideration | Present value of expected payments	'	'
Unobservable Input(s)	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	17.00%	17.00%
Equity derivative contracts | Black-Scholes-Merton Model	'	'
Unobservable Input(s)	'	'
Expected volatility (as a percent)	'	30.00%

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN2

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Assets	'	'
Total fair value of derivative contracts	$1,781	$693
Counterparty netting	-110	'
Total fair value	1,671	693
Derivative Liabilities	'	'
Total fair value of derivative contracts	664	993
Counterparty netting	-110	'
Total fair value	554	993
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	'	'
Derivative Assets	'	'
Total fair value of derivative contracts	1,781	693
Counterparty netting	-110	'
Total fair value	1,671	693
Derivative Liabilities	'	'
Total fair value of derivative contracts	664	993
Counterparty netting	-110	'
Total fair value	554	993
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	'	'
Derivative Assets	'	'
Total fair value of derivative contracts	1,671	679
Derivative Liabilities	'	'
Total fair value of derivative contracts	513	993
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	'	'
Derivative Liabilities	'	'
Notional value of derivative	78,884	86,170
Euro-denominated and Swiss franc-denominated balance sheet positions | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	'	'
Derivative Liabilities	'	'
Notional value of derivative	21,474	27,659
Commodity derivative contracts | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	'	'
Derivative Assets	'	'
Total fair value of derivative contracts	110	'
Derivative Liabilities	'	'
Total fair value of derivative contracts	151	'
Equity derivative contracts | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	'	'
Derivative Assets	'	'
Total fair value of derivative contracts	'	$14

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN3

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	$7,506,670	$9,770,281
Short	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	7,546,255	10,390,564
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | Long	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	346	'
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | Short	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	162,223	'
Commodity derivative contracts | Long	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	1,237,496	349,004
Commodity derivative contracts | Short	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	1,237,614	342,573
Fixed income derivative contracts | Long	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	6,264,927	9,415,546
Fixed income derivative contracts | Short	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	6,142,614	10,047,771
Equity derivative contracts | Long	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	3,901	5,731
Equity derivative contracts | Short	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	3,804	220
Futures contracts | Long	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	7,506,390	9,652,419
Futures contracts | Short	'	'
Notional amount of derivatives	'	'
Total derivative notional amounts	$7,546,026	$10,248,687

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN4

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | Principal transactions	'	'	'	'
Effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$109	$236	$283	($409)
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | Other income, net	'	'	'	'
Effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	2,199	-736	3,389	-1,517
Foreign exchange derivative contracts | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	'	'	'	'
Effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	2,308	-500	3,671	-1,926
Commodity derivative contracts | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Principal transactions	'	'	'	'
Effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	2,498	1,398	6,812	6,621
Fixed income derivative contracts | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Principal transactions	'	'	'	'
Effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	1,096	3,129	5,971	11,126
Equity derivative contracts | Principal transactions	'	'	'	'
Effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	57	24	162	-150
Equity derivative contracts | Other income, net	'	'	'	'
Effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	'	'	-14	-14
Equity derivative contracts | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	'	'	'	'
Effect of derivative contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$57	$24	$148	($164)

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN5

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 4) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$1,781	$693
Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	-110	'
Net Amounts of Assets Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	1,671	693
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	1,671	693
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	664	993
Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	-110	'
Net Amounts of Liabilities Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	554	993
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	554	993
Counterparty A	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	1,166	268
Net Amounts of Assets Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	1,166	268
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	1,166	268
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	50	834
Net Amounts of Liabilities Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	50	834
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	50	834
Counterparty B	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	248	'
Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	-110	'
Net Amounts of Assets Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	138	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	138	'
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	151	'
Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	-110	'
Net Amounts of Liabilities Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	41	'
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	41	'
Counterparty C	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	367	411
Net Amounts of Assets Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	367	411
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	367	411
Derivative Liabilities:	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	463	159
Net Amounts of Liabilities Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	463	159
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	463	159
Counterparty D	'	'
Derivative Assets:	'	'
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	'	14
Net Amounts of Assets Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	'	14
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	'	$14

VARIABLE_INTEREST_ENTITIES_Det

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Non-consolidated Variable Interest Entities | VIEs in the form of direct equity interests, a convertible note and a non-recourse loan	'	'
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	'	'
Carrying Amount of Assets	$3,410	$3,954
Maximum exposure to loss	3,973	4,592
Non-consolidated Variable Interest Entities | VIEs in the form of trading margin accounts	'	'
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	'	'
Carrying Amount of Assets	77	1,653
Maximum exposure to loss	77	1,653
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities	'	'
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES	'	'
Total assets of consolidated VIE	10,092	8,953
Total liabilities of consolidated VIE	$3,439	$2,652

REGULATORY_REQUIREMENTS_Detail

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Americas	'
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS	'
Regulatory capital	$34,447
Minimum regulatory capital required	7,507
Excess regulatory capital	26,940
EMEA	'
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS	'
Regulatory capital	138,402
Minimum regulatory capital required	112,654
Excess regulatory capital	25,748
Asia	'
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS	'
Regulatory capital	33,900
Minimum regulatory capital required	9,227
Excess regulatory capital	$24,673

SEGMENT_AND_GEOGRAPHIC_INFORMA2

SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
			item
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	4	'
Number of broad product categories	'	'	4	'
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$210,301	$212,433	$669,145	$699,103
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	180,979	176,240	569,735	576,189
(Loss) income before income taxes	-7,516	-1,156	-130,961	6,526
Reportable segment | Americas Brokerage	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	55,443	60,384	173,561	202,765
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	52,875	57,995	165,434	194,372
(Loss) income before income taxes	15,586	15,515	-39,883	56,139
Reportable segment | EMEA Brokerage	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	78,355	72,275	248,913	237,102
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	76,170	70,283	241,683	230,031
(Loss) income before income taxes	24,449	19,078	62,574	65,756
Reportable segment | Asia Brokerage	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	19,472	15,730	55,797	52,952
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	19,377	15,653	55,436	52,693
(Loss) income before income taxes	5,678	3,438	15,468	13,257
Reportable segment | Clearing and Backed Trading	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	32,382	40,721	112,154	140,960
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	7,097	8,702	26,236	32,840
(Loss) income before income taxes	-1,906	-1,067	-25,604	2,492
All other	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	24,649	23,323	78,720	65,324
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses	25,460	23,607	80,946	66,253
(Loss) income before income taxes	($51,323)	($38,120)	($143,516)	($131,118)

SEGMENT_AND_GEOGRAPHIC_INFORMA3

SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	$210,301	$212,433	$669,145	$699,103	'
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses:	180,979	176,240	569,735	576,189	'
Long-lived Assets, as defined:	64,093	'	64,093	'	66,145
United States	'	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	54,075	61,067	172,383	203,544	'
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses:	53,356	60,010	169,697	199,181	'
Long-lived Assets, as defined:	49,982	'	49,982	'	49,987
United Kingdom	'	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	105,938	105,471	343,286	346,166	'
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses:	79,354	72,764	253,485	235,884	'
Long-lived Assets, as defined:	10,132	'	10,132	'	11,762
Other	'	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	50,288	45,895	153,476	149,393	'
Revenues, net of interest and transaction-based expenses:	48,269	43,467	146,553	141,124	'
Long-lived Assets, as defined:	$3,979	'	$3,979	'	$4,396

RELATED_PARTIES_Details

RELATED PARTIES (Details) (Affiliated entity of BGC)	Sep. 30, 2014
Affiliated entity of BGC	'
RELATED PARTIES	'
Ownership (as a percent)	10.00%

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (Subsequent event, BGC, GFI, USD $)	Oct. 22, 2014
Subsequent event | BGC | GFI	'
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	'
Purchase consideration per share in cash (in dollars per share)	$5.25