FBR & Co (FBRC) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	FBRC
Entity Registrant Name	FBR & CO.
Entity Central Index Key	1371446
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		7,588,727

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$74,047	$108,962
Receivables:
Securities borrowed	748,070	594,674
Due from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	311,584	94,489
Customers	2,224	3,349
Other	5,486	5,227
Financial instruments owned, at fair value	149,045	166,047
Other investments, at cost	7,000	7,000
Goodwill and intangible assets	4,832	4,921
Furniture, equipment, software, and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	15,657	15,388
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	29,997	28,648
Prepaid expenses and other assets	6,457	6,392
Total assets	1,354,399	1,035,097
Liabilities
Securities loaned	752,909	595,717
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	329,765	121,310
Accrued compensation and benefits	12,093	34,571
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	24,167	23,093
Total liabilities	1,118,934	774,691
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value 100,000,000 authorized, none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 7,580,611 and 8,388,697 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	8	8
Additional paid-in capital	281,568	302,720
Restricted stock units	33,130	34,353
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes	0	44
Accumulated deficit	-79,241	-76,719
Total shareholders’ equity	235,465	260,406
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$1,354,399	$1,035,097

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	7,580,611	8,388,697
Common stock, shares outstanding	7,580,611	8,388,697

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Investment banking:
Capital raising	$9,284	$33,316
Advisory	3,391	3,323
Institutional brokerage	12,243	15,091
Net investment income	3,350	3,834
Interest	6,985	284
Dividends and other	271	187
Total revenues	35,524	56,035
Interest expense	8,429	1,677
Revenues, net of interest expense	27,095	54,358
Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits	17,955	31,300
Professional services	2,373	2,938
Business development	1,888	2,368
Clearing and brokerage fees	1,223	1,224
Occupancy and equipment	3,058	3,152
Communications	3,011	2,892
Other operating expenses	1,430	1,469
Total non-interest expenses	30,938	45,343
(Loss) income before income taxes	-3,843	9,015
Income tax (benefit) expense	-1,321	3,405
Net (loss) income	($2,522)	$5,610
(Loss) income per share:
Basic (loss) income per share	($0.29)	$0.51
Diluted (loss) income per share	($0.29)	$0.46
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands)	8,827	10,968
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands)	8,827	12,087

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	($2,522)	$5,610
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment securities, net of taxes of $28, and $34, respectively	-44	19
Comprehensive (loss) income	($2,566)	$5,629

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment securities, taxes	$28	$34

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Restricted Stock Units [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$290,777	$11	$362,983	$21,487	$34	($93,738)
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013		10,545,000
Net (loss) income	17,019	0	0	0	0	17,019
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	2,347	0	5,447	-3,100	0	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures, shares		295,000
Repurchase of common stock	-64,094	-3	-64,091	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock, shares		-2,380,000
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding	-1,823	0	-1,823	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding, shares		-71,000
Stock compensation expense for options granted to purchase common stock	204	0	204	0	0	0
Issuance of restricted stock units	15,966	0	0	15,966	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment securities, net of taxes	10	0	0	0	10	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	260,406	8	302,720	34,353	44	-76,719
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014		8,389,000
Net (loss) income	-2,522	0	0	0	0	-2,522
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	616	0	4,608	-3,992	0	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures, shares		238,000
Repurchase of common stock	-23,749	0	-23,749	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock, shares		-956,000
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding	-2,100	0	-2,100	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding, shares		-90,000
Stock compensation expense for options granted to purchase common stock	89	0	89	0	0	0
Issuance of restricted stock units	2,769	0	0	2,769	0	0
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale investment securities, net of taxes	-44	0	0	0	-44	0
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$235,465	$8	$281,568	$33,130	$0	($79,241)
Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2015		7,581,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss) income	($2,522)	$5,610
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	778	351
Deferred income taxes	-1,321	2,228
Net investment income from investments.	-3,350	-3,834
Stock compensation	2,309	2,173
Excess tax benefit from share-based award activity	-904	0
Other	118	-38
Receivables:
Securities borrowed	-153,397	0
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	3,847	-9,653
Customers	998	1,294
Other	-59	-1,162
Trading securities	13,066	845
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-93	398
Changes in operating liabilities:
Securities loaned	157,192	0
Trading account securities sold but not yet purchased	-4,010	1,216
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	2,489	-993
Accrued compensation and benefits	-21,848	-17,926
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	0	2,359
Net cash used in operating activities	-6,707	-17,132
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of investment securities and other investments	-750	-17,617
Proceeds from sales of and distributions from investments	5,283	10,754
Securities sold but not yet purchased	215,074	218,286
Due from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	-220,942	-223,178
Purchase of securities lending business	-1,101	0
Purchases of furniture, equipment, software, and leasehold improvements	-957	-716
Net cash used in investing activities	-3,393	-12,471
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchases of common stock	-25,849	-8,204
Proceeds from sales of common stock	130	0
Excess tax benefit from share-based award activity	904	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-24,815	-8,204
Cash and cash equivalents
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-34,915	-37,807
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	108,962	207,973
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	74,047	170,166
Supplemental cash flows disclosures
Income tax payments	0	2,148
Interest payments	$4,974	$2,250

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation:
	The consolidated financial statements of FBR & Co. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Therefore, they do not include all information required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete annual financial statements. The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to conform with the current period presentation. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year or any subsequent interim period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”).
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and market information (when available) and on various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, management exercises significant judgment in the final determination of its estimates. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Financial_Instruments_and_Long

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments	2. Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments:
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”) defines fair value as the price 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, not adjusted for transaction costs. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3) as described below:
	Level 1 Inputs	—	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible by the Company;
	Level 2 Inputs	—	Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly;
	Level 3 Inputs	—	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including significant assumptions of the Company and other market participants.
	The Company determines fair values for the following assets and liabilities:
	Equity securities, listed options and warrants—The Company classifies marketable equity securities and listed options within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because quoted market prices from an exchange are used to value these securities. Non-public equity securities, which primarily include securities where the Company acted as a placement agent in an offering of equity securities and where the Company facilitates over-the-counter trading activity for the securities, are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. In determining the fair value of these securities, the Company considers enterprise value and analyzes various financial, performance and market factors to estimate the value, including where applicable, over-the-counter market trading activity. Non-exchange traded warrants to purchase equity securities are classified as Level 3 as a Black-Scholes valuation model is used to value these securities.
	U.S. government securities, convertible and fixed income debt instruments—The Company classifies U.S. government securities, including highly liquid U.S. Treasury securities within Level 1 as quoted prices are used to value these securities. Convertible and fixed income debt instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued using quoted market prices provided by a broker or dealer, or alternative pricing services that provide reasonable levels of price transparency. The Company primarily uses price quotes from one independent broker dealer who makes markets in or is a specialist with expertise in the valuation of these financial instruments.  The Company reviews broker or pricing service quotes it receives to assess the reasonableness of the values provided; such reviews include comparison to internal pricing models and, when available, prices observed for recently executed market transactions of comparable size. Based on this assessment, at each reporting date the Company will adjust price quotes it receives if such an adjustment is determined to be appropriate.
	Investment Funds—The Company invests in proprietary investment funds that are valued at net asset value (“NAV”) determined by the fund administrator. For investments in non-registered investment companies (hedge funds and private equity funds), the Company classifies these investments within Level 2 or Level 3 depending on the redemption attributes of the Company’s investment. The underlying securities held by these investment companies are primarily corporate and asset-backed fixed income securities and restrictions exist on the redemption of amounts invested by the Company. As a practical expedient, the Company relies on the NAV of these investments as their fair value. The NAVs that have been provided by the fund administrators are derived from the fair values of the underlying investments as of the reporting date.
	Fair Value Hierarchy
	The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, financial instruments and long-term investments accounted for under ASC 820 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. As required by ASC 820, assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
		March 31, 2015				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
	Financial instruments owned, at fair value:
	Financial instruments held for trading activities at
	broker-dealer subsidiary:
	Marketable and non-public equity securities	$	12,556			$	12,511			$	—			$	45
	Convertible and fixed income debt instruments		32,076				—				32,076				—
		$	44,632			$	12,511			$	32,076			$	45
	Financial instruments held for investment activities:
	Designated as trading:
	Marketable and non-public equity securities		2,208				—				—				2,208
	Warrants		603				—				—				603
			2,811				—				—				2,811
	Investment funds		101,602				—				50,674				50,928
	Total	$	149,045			$	12,511			$	82,750			$	53,784
	Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value:
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	294,397			$	294,397			$	—			$	—
	Marketable and non-public equity securities		21,119				21,119
	Convertible and fixed income debt instruments		14,249				—				14,249				—
	Total	$	329,765			$	315,516			$	14,249			$	—
	As of March 31, 2015, financial assets measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis and classified within Level 3 were $53,784 or 4.0% of the Company’s total assets at that date. Regarding these Level 3 financial assets, in determining fair value, the Company analyzes various financial, performance and market factors to estimate the value, including where applicable, over-the-counter market trading activity. The following table provides the valuation technique and unobservable inputs primarily used in assessing the value of these securities as of March 31, 2015:
	Valuation Technique		Fair Value				Unobservable Input		Range				Weighted Average
	Market approach		$	2,253			Over-the-counter trading activity		$ 0 - $17.00/share				$15.00
	Black-Scholes		$	603			Volatility		30%					30%
							Dividend Yield		0%					0%
							Interest Rate			1.80%				1.80%
	For those non-public equity securities valued using a market approach, adverse industry market conditions or events experienced by the underlying entities could result in lower over-the-counter trading prices for the securities. Such lower trading prices would result in a decline in the estimated fair value of these assets. For warrants valued using Black-Scholes, adverse industry market conditions or events experienced by the issuer could result in a lower trading price for the underlying equity security and therefore a lower value of these warrants. A reduction in the estimated volatility would also result in a lower value of the warrants. The Company assessed the reasonableness of the fair values of the non-public equity securities noted above based on its consideration of available financial data related to these issuers as well as an assessment of the nature of any over-the-counter trading activity during the period. The Company assessed the reasonableness of the fair value of the non-exchange traded warrants valued using a Black-Scholes valuation based on its consideration of the fair values of comparable exchange-traded options.
	The table above excludes $50,928 of investments in 11 non-registered investment funds that are valued at NAV as determined by the fund administrators. The underlying fund investments consist primarily of corporate and asset-backed fixed income securities. Considering the general lack of transparency necessary to conduct an independent assessment of the fair value of the securities underlying each of the NAVs provided by the fund administrators, our quarterly reporting process includes a number of assessment processes to assist the Company in the evaluation of the information provided by fund managers and fund administrators. These assessment processes include, but are not limited to regular review and discussion of each fund’s performance with its manager and regular evaluation of performance against applicable benchmarks.
		31-Dec-14				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
	Financial instruments owned, at fair value:
	Financial instruments held for trading activities at
	broker-dealer subsidiary:
	Marketable and non-public equity securities	$	14,832			$	14,758			$	—			$	74
	Listed options		2				2				—				—
	Convertible and fixed income debt instruments		42,864				—				42,864				—
			57,698				14,760				42,864				74
	Financial instruments held for investment activities:
	Designated as trading:
	Marketable and non-public equity securities		2,325				175				—				2,150
	Warrants		964				—				—				964
	Designated as available-for-sale:
	Marketable equity securities		172				172				—				—
			3,461				347				—				3,114
	Investment funds		104,888				—				58,292				46,596
	Total	$	166,047			$	15,107			$	101,156			$	49,784
	Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value:
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	84,950			$	84,950			$	—			$	—
	Marketable and non-public equity securities		34,043				34,043				—				—
	Convertible and fixed income debt instruments		2,317				—				2,317				—
	Total	$	121,310			$	118,993			$	2,317			$	—
	As of December 31, 2014, financial assets measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis and classified within Level 3 were $49,784 or 4.8% of the Company’s total assets at that date. Regarding these Level 3 financial assets, in determining fair value, the Company analyzes various financial, performance and market factors to estimate the value, including where applicable, over-the-counter market trading activity. The following table provides the valuation technique and unobservable inputs primarily used in assessing the value of these securities as of December 31, 2014:
	Valuation Technique		Fair Value				Unobservable Input		Range		Weighted Average
Market approach		$	2,224			Over-the-counter trading activity		$0 - $34.00/share		$11.56
Black-Scholes		$	964			Volatility		30%			30%
						Dividend Yield		0%			0%
						Interest Rate		2.10%			2.10%
For those non-public equity securities valued using a market approach, adverse industry market conditions or events experienced by the underlying entities could result in lower over-the-counter trading prices for the securities. Such lower trading prices would result in a decline in the estimated fair value of these assets. For warrants valued using Black-Scholes, adverse industry market conditions or events experienced by the issuer could result in a lower trading price for the underlying equity security and therefore a lower value of these warrants. A reduction in the estimated volatility would also result in a lower value of the warrants. The Company assessed the reasonableness of the fair values of the non-public equity securities noted above based on its consideration of available financial data related to these issuers as well as an assessment of the nature of any over-the-counter trading activity during the period. The Company assessed the reasonableness of the fair value of the non-exchange traded warrants valued using a Black-Scholes valuation based on its consideration of the fair values of comparable exchange-traded options.
The table above excludes $46,596 of investments in 10 non-registered investment funds that are valued at NAV as determined by the fund administrators. The underlying fund investments consist primarily of corporate and asset-backed fixed income securities. Considering the general lack of transparency necessary to conduct an independent assessment of the fair value of the securities underlying each of the NAVs provided by the fund administrators, our reporting process includes a number of assessment processes to assist the Company in the evaluation of the information provided by fund managers and fund administrators. These assessment processes include, but are not limited to regular review and discussion of each fund’s performance with its manager and regular evaluation of performance against applicable benchmarks.
Level 3 Gains and Losses
The tables below set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not have any net unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income on Level 3 financial assets.
		Trading				Investment				Total
		Securities				Funds
Beginning balance, January 1, 2015		$	3,188			$	46,596			$	49,784
Total net gains (losses) (realized/unrealized)
Included in earnings			(303	)			384				81
Included in other comprehensive income			—				—				—
Purchases			13,420				750				14,170
Sales/Distributions			(13,420	)			(47	)			(13,467	)
Transfers (out of) into Level 3			(29	)			3,245				3,216
Ending balance, March 31, 2015		$	2,856			$	50,928			$	53,784
The amount of total gains or losses for the period		$	(303	)		$	384			$	81
included in earnings attributable to the change in
unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and
liabilities still held at the reporting date
		Trading				Trading				Investment				Total
		Securities				Securities Sold				Funds
						not yet
						Purchased
Beginning balance, January 1, 2014		$	11,535			$	(1,499	)		$	61,197			$	71,233
Total net gains (losses) (realized/unrealized)
Included in earnings			(80	)			(122	)			1,691				1,489
Included in other comprehensive income			—				—				—				—
Purchases			13,842				6,043				15,000				34,885
Sales/Distributions			(15,197	)			(4,422	)			(34	)			(19,653	)
Transfers out of Level 3			(6,216	)			—				—				(6,216	)
Ending balance, March 31, 2014		$	3,884			$	—			$	77,854			$	81,738
The amount of total gains or losses for the period		$	(377	)		$	—			$	1,609			$	1,232
included in earnings attributable to the change in
unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and
liabilities still held at the reporting date
There was one transfer out of Level 2 financial assets and into Level 3 and no transfers into Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2015.  There were no transfers into, or out of Level 2 financial assets during the three months ended March 31, 2014. One transfer in each period was made out of Level 3 and into Level 1 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, in both cases for an equity security that was previously a non-public equity security and during the applicable period became publicly traded.
Gains and losses from Level 3 financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, that are included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, are reported in the following line descriptions on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations:
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015				2014
Total gains and losses included in earnings for the period:
Institutional brokerage	$	1			$	(39	)
Net investment income		80				1,528
Change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still
held at the end of the respective period:
Institutional brokerage	$	1			$	(214	)
Net investment income		80				1,446
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
The Company also measures certain financial assets and liabilities and other assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis including items such as intangibles, fixed assets and estimated contingent consideration payable. Adjustments to the fair value of these assets and liabilities usually result from the application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or impairments of individual assets.  Adjustments to the fair value of contingent consideration payable would result from differences between the underlying forecasted securities lending results and actual results (see Note 3). Due to the nature of these assets, unobservable inputs are used to value these assets and liabilities. In determining the fair value, the Company analyzes various financial, performance, and market factors to estimate the fair value, including where applicable, market activity. As a result, these assets and liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, except for the impact of the scheduled partial payment of contingent consideration payable, there were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for which there was a change in carrying value. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for which there was a change in carrying value.
Financial Instruments Held for Investment—Designated as Trading
As of March 31, 2015, and during the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company had certain investments in marketable equity securities held by other than its broker-dealer subsidiary that are classified as trading securities. In addition, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had short positions in U.S. Treasury securities held by other than its broker-dealer subsidiary that are classified as trading securities. These investments are designated as trading based on the Company’s intent at the time of designation. In accordance with ASC 320, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC 320”), these securities are carried at fair value with resulting realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected as net investment income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, pursuant to ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”), from time-to-time the Company may elect to account for non-public equity securities acquired by other than the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary as part of its trading portfolio at fair value with resulting realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected as net investment income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company did not make any such fair value elections. Net gains and losses on such trading securities as of the dates indicated were as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
Net gains recognized on trading securities		$	2,691			$	2,385
Less: Net gains recognized on trading securities			(24	)			(237	)
sold during the period
Unrealized gains recognized on trading		$	2,667			$	2,148
securities still held at the reporting date
As part of the Company’s investing activities, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company entered into two short sales, totaling $200,000 face value, of 4.625% U.S. Treasury securities.  These securities mature in November 2016. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, as part of the Company’s investing activities, the Company entered into two short-sales of $100,000 face value each, 4.50% U.S. Treasury securities. These two securities which mature in November 2015 and February 2016, respectively, were settled in the fourth quarter of 2014. These positions are included in securities sold but not yet purchased on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Proceeds from open short-sales, as well as related margin requirements, are held in a collateral account and are included in due from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Such amounts are not available for withdrawal and are subject to closure of the open short positions. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred $3,197 and $1,677, respectively, of interest expense related to these transactions. The Company is obligated to fund the fixed-rate coupon interest on these securities while the short-positions are outstanding.
Fair Value of the Investments Valued at NAV
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $101,602 and $104,888, respectively, of investments that are valued at NAV. The following table presents information about the Company’s investments in hedge funds and private equity funds measured at fair value based on NAV at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Fair Value				Unfunded Commitment				Fair Value				Unfunded Commitment
Hedge funds:
Fixed income/credit-related		$	54,544			$	—			$	57,532			$	—
Multi-strategy			36,684				—				37,890				—
Private equity funds			10,374				1,841				9,466				2,586
Total		$	101,602			$	1,841			$	104,888			$	2,586
Investments in hedge funds may be subject to lock-up restrictions or gates. A hedge fund lockup provision is a provision that provides that an investor may not make a withdrawal from the fund or may be subject to withdrawal fees. The purpose of a gate is to restrict the level of redemptions that an investor in a particular hedge fund can demand at any redemption date. All of the Company’s hedge fund investments have the ability to impose redemption gates. As of March 31, 2015, 50% of the fair value of the Company’s fund investments, or $50,674 of the hedge funds, was redeemable on either a monthly or quarterly basis with notice periods of 60 days or less, 26% of the fair value, or $26,570 of the hedge funds, was redeemable on a quarterly basis with notice periods of between 90 days and 180 days. In addition, 14% of the fair value, or $13,985 of the hedge funds was subject to lockup provisions 57% of which will expire during 2015.
The Company’s fixed income and credit-related hedge fund investments include funds that primarily employ long-short or relative value strategies in order to benefit from investments in undervalued or overvalued securities that are primarily debt or credit related.  The Company’s multi-strategy fund investments include funds that pursue a variety of fixed income, credit and asset-backed strategies to realize short and long term gains. Management of these hedge funds has the ability to overweight or underweight different strategies to best capitalize on current investment opportunities.
The Company’s private equity fund investments include funds that pursue multiple strategies including direct lending, asset securitization and real estate development. These investments by the Company are generally not redeemable with the funds. The nature of these fund investments is that distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the fund. At March 31, 2015 it was estimated that these funds will be liquidated in the next three years.
Financial Instruments Held for Investment—Designated as Available-for-Sale
From time-to-time, the Company may have investments in marketable equity securities held by other than the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary that are classified as available-for-sale securities. These investments are designated as available-for-sale due to the Company’s intent at the time of designation to hold these securities for investment purposes over an extended period, however, they are available to be sold should economic conditions warrant such a transaction. In accordance with ASC 320, these securities are carried at fair value with resulting unrealized gains and losses reflected as other comprehensive income or loss. As of March 31, 2015, the Company did not have any marketable equity securities classified as available-for-sale. Gross unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
		31-Dec-14
						Unrealized
		Cost Basis				Gains				Losses				Fair Value
Marketable equity securities		$	100			$	72			$	—			$	172
The Company evaluates its portfolio of marketable equity securities for impairment as of each reporting date. For the securities with unrealized losses, the Company will review the underlying cause for the impairments, as well as the severity and duration of the impairments. If the impairment is determined to be other-than-temporary, the Company will recognize an other-than-temporary impairment loss in its consolidated statement of operations. The Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairment losses during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. As of March 31, 2014, the Company did not hold any marketable equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company sold its remaining marketable equity security classified as available-for-sale and received proceeds of $191 resulting in a gross gain of $91. There were no sales of marketable equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following tables set forth the changes in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the period indicated along with detail regarding reclassifications from other comprehensive income. All such reclassifications from other comprehensive income (loss) are included in net investment income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015				2014
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance	$	44			$	34
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		—				19
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		(44	)			—
Accumulated other comprehensive income, at period end	$	—			$	53
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015				2014
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income:
Realized gains on sale of securities	$	44			$	—
Other Investments, at Cost
Other investments consisted of the following as of the dates indicated:
	March 31,				December 31,
	2015				2014
Non-public equity securities	$	7,000			$	7,000
The Company evaluates its non-public equity securities, carried at cost, for impairment as of each reporting date. This evaluation includes consideration of the operating performance of the respective companies, their financial condition and their near-term and long-term prospects. Based on its evaluations of these investments, the Company recorded no impairment losses during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, there were no sales of investments carried at cost. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company received $5,000 reflecting the full repayment at its maturity of a corporate debt investment that was carried at cost.

Securities_Lending

Securities Lending	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Securities Lending [Abstract]
Securities Lending	3. Securities Lending
	On March 27, 2014, the Company entered into a Transaction Agreement with Lazard Capital Markets LLC (“LCM”) pursuant to which FBR Capital Markets & Co. (“FBRCM”) agreed to purchase LCM’s securities lending business (the “Transaction Agreement”) and on August 4, 2014, the Company completed its purchase of this business. As a result of this acquisition, the Company has an active securities borrowed and loaned business in which it borrows securities from one party and lends them to another. The Company believes that this acquisition will be accretive to its overall revenue per employee and operating margin. Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement, the Company made an initial cash payment of $1,000 at closing and is obligated to make additional payments that are contingent on the performance of the business over the 18 month period subsequent to the closing. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company made such an additional payment of $1,101 and as of March 31, 2015, the Company has estimated its aggregate remaining contingent payments to be $2,969. This estimated contingent obligation is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company will continue to assess the value of this contingent consideration at each reporting date until its obligations are satisfied.
	As a result of this purchase, the Company recorded goodwill of $2,570 and a finite-lived intangible asset related to acquired customer relationships initially valued at $2,500. The goodwill and intangible asset balances are included in the Company’s capital markets segment and these balances are expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The customer relationship intangible assets will be amortized over their estimated useful life of seven years on a straight-line basis. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $89 of amortization expense related to this intangible asset that is included in other operating expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	The following table presents the contractual gross and net securities borrowing and lending balances and the related offsetting amount as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		As of March 31, 2015
		Gross amounts recognized		Gross amounts		Net amounts		Amounts not		Net amounts
				offset in the		included in the		offset in the
				consolidated		consolidated		balance sheet but
				balance sheets(1)		balance sheets		eligible for
								offsetting upon counterparty
								default (2)
	Securities borrowed	$	748,070	$	—	$	748,070	$	748,070	$	—
	Securities loaned	$	752,909	$	—	$	752,909	$	752,909	$	—
		As of December 31, 2014
		Gross amounts recognized		Gross amounts		Net amounts		Amounts not		Net amounts
				offset in the		included in the		offset in the
				consolidated		consolidated		balance sheet but
				balance sheets(1)		balance sheets		eligible for
								offsetting upon counterparty
								default (2)
	Securities borrowed	$	594,674	$	—	$	594,674	$	594,674	$	—
	Securities loaned	$	595,717	$	—	$	595,717	$	595,717	$	—
	-1	Includes financial instruments subject to enforceable master netting provisions that are permitted to be offset to the extent an event of default has occurred.
	-2	Includes the amount of cash collateral held/posted.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	4. Income Taxes:
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $1,321 and a tax provision of $3,405, respectively. The Company’s quarterly tax provision is determined pursuant to ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which requires using an estimated annual effective rate based on forecasted taxable income for the full year. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were 34.4% and 37.8%, respectively. These tax rates differed from statutory tax rates primarily due to the effects of capital loss carryforwards subject to a valuation allowance that were projected to be utilized in the respective years.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company’s net deferred tax assets totaled $32,183 and were partially offset by valuation allowance of $3,535. This valuation allowance related to capital loss carryforwards and was determined based on the Company’s application of the guidance in ASC 740 and its conclusion that it was more likely than not that the benefits of these assets would not be realized in the future. Based on its assessment as of March 31, 2015, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that the capital loss carryforwards subject to the valuation allowance would be utilized in 2015. The Company’s projected utilization of the capital loss carryforward deferred tax asset and corresponding release of the remaining valuation allowance is reflected in the calculation of the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate.

Regulatory_Capital_Requirement

Regulatory Capital Requirements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Regulatory Capital Requirements [Abstract]
Regulatory Capital Requirements	5. Regulatory Capital Requirements:
	FBRCM, the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary, is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). As such, it is subject to the minimum net capital requirements promulgated by the SEC. As of March 31, 2015, FBRCM had net capital of $43,957, which was $41,963 in excess of its required net capital of $1,994.

Loss_Income_Per_Share

(Loss) Income Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
(Loss) Income Per Share	6. (Loss) Income Per Share:
	Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income or loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, including restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that are not subject to forfeiture. Diluted earnings per share includes the impact of dilutive securities such as stock options, unvested shares of restricted stock and RSUs, that are subject to forfeiture. Due to the Company’s reported net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 all stock options, unvested shares of restricted stock and unvested RSUs were considered anti-dilutive for this period. The following table presents the computations of basic and diluted (loss) income per share for the periods indicated:
			Three Months Ended							Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2015							March 31, 2014
			Basic				Diluted			Basic		Diluted
	Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Common stock (in thousands)			8,827				8,827			10,968		10,968
	Stock options, unvested restricted stock and			—				—			—		1,119
	RSUs (in thousands)
	Weighted average common and common equivalent			8,827				8,827			10,968		12,087
	shares outstanding (in thousands)
	Net (loss) income applicable to common stock		$	(2,522	)		$	(2,522	)	$	5,610	$	5,610
	Net (loss) income per common share		$	(0.29	)		$	(0.29	)	$	0.51	$	0.46
	The following table presents the number of anti-dilutive stock options, unvested restricted stock and unvested RSUs for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Stock Options—Employees and directors		851				783
	Stock Options—Non-employee		32				27
	Restricted Stock, unvested		12				4
	Restricted Stock Units, unvested		2,015				1,219
	Total		2,910				2,033

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	7. Commitments and Contingencies:
	Litigation
	As of March 31, 2015, except as described below, the Company was neither a defendant nor plaintiff in any lawsuits or arbitrations nor involved in any governmental or self-regulatory organization matters that are expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. The Company has been named as a defendant in a small number of civil lawsuits relating to its various businesses. In addition, the Company is subject to various reviews, examinations, investigations and other inquiries by governmental agencies and self regulatory organizations. There can be no assurance that these matters individually or in aggregate will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity in a future period. However, based on management’s review with counsel, resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
	Many aspects of the Company’s business involve substantial risks of liability and litigation. Underwriters, broker-dealers and investment advisers are exposed to liability under federal and state securities laws, other federal and state laws and court decisions, including decisions with respect to underwriters’ liability and limitations on indemnification, as well as with respect to the handling of customer accounts. For example, underwriters may be held liable for material misstatements or omissions of fact in a prospectus used in connection with the securities being offered and broker-dealers may be held liable for statements made by their securities analysts or other personnel. In the past, FBRCM has been named as a defendant in a small number of securities claims involving investment banking clients of FBRCM as a result of FBRCM’s role as an underwriter. In these cases, the underwriting agreement provides, subject to certain conditions, that the investment banking client is required to indemnify FBRCM against certain claims or liabilities, including claims or liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or contribute to payments which FBRCM is required to make as a result of the litigation. There can be no assurance that such indemnification or contribution will ultimately be available to the Company or that an investment banking client will be able to satisfy its indemnity or contribution obligations when due.
	FBRCM has been named a defendant in the putative class action lawsuit Waterford Township Police & Fire, Retirement System, vs. Regional Management Corp. et al., pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The amended complaint, filed on November 24, 2014 (the “Amended Complaint”), names FBRCM as a co-managing underwriter of offerings in September 2013 and December 2013.  Plaintiffs allege that the Registration Statement and Prospectus used in connection with these offerings were negligently prepared and, as a result, contained untrue statements of material fact and omitted to state other facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading. The Amended Complaint asserts claims against all the underwriters under Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act.  Regional Management has agreed to indemnify all the underwriters, including FBRCM, pursuant to the operative underwriting agreement. In response to the defendants’ motions to dismiss, filed on January 23, 2015, the putative class plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint (the ”Second Amended Complaint”), which shall serve as the operative complaint.  On April 28, 2015 the underwriter defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint.
	In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability. As a litigation or regulatory matter develops, management, in conjunction with counsel, evaluates on an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable. The pending case discussed above involving FBRCM is at a preliminary stage, and based on management’s review with counsel and present information known by management, a loss contingency for this matter was not probable and estimable as of March 31, 2015.
	In certain circumstances, broker-dealers and asset managers may also be held liable by customers and clients for losses sustained on investments. In recent years, there has been an increasing incidence of litigation and actions by government agencies and self regulatory organizations involving the securities industry, including class actions that seek substantial damages. The Company is also subject to the risk of litigation, including litigation that may be without merit. As the Company intends to actively defend any such litigation, significant legal expenses could be incurred. An adverse resolution of any future litigation against the Company could materially affect its financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	8. Shareholders’ Equity:
	Share Repurchases
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 955,796 shares of its common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions at a weighted average share price of $24.85 per share for a total cost of $23,749. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company repurchased 261,817 shares of its common stock in open market transactions at a weighted average share price of $26.16 per share for a total cost of $6,849.  As of March 31, 2015, the Company had remaining authority to repurchase 44,204 additional shares. On April 21, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the Company’s repurchase authorization to 750,000 shares.
	The Company also purchases shares of its common stock from recipients of stock-based compensation awards upon the vesting of RSU and restricted stock awards, and the exercise of options to purchase stock, as recipients sell shares to meet their tax obligations. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company purchased 90,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average share price of $23.33 per share for a total cost of $2,100 for this purpose. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company purchased 71,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average share price of $25.68 per share for a total cost of $1,823 for this purpose.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	Under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”), eligible employees may purchase common stock through payroll deductions at a price that is 85% of the lower of the market value of the common stock on the first day of the offering period or the last day of the offering period. In accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation,” the Company is required to recognize compensation expense relating to shares offered under the Purchase Plan. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized compensation expense of $83 and $149, respectively, related to the Purchase Plan.
	Stock Compensation Plans
	FBR & Co. Amended 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“FBR & Co. Long-Term Incentive Plan”)
	Under the FBR & Co. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, the Company may grant options to purchase stock, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, restricted and unrestricted stock and RSUs for up to an aggregate of 7,217,496 shares of common stock, subject to increase under certain provisions of the plan, to eligible participants. Participants include employees, officers and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. The plan’s termination date is October 22, 2023 unless it is terminated sooner by the Company’s Board of Directors. The FBR & Co. Long-Term Incentive Plan has a term of 10 years and options granted may have an exercise period of up to 10 years. Options may be incentive stock options, as defined by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or nonqualified stock options.
	The Company grants options to purchase stock, restricted shares of common stock and RSUs to employees that vest based on meeting specified service conditions of three to five years and in certain cases achievement of specified market conditions or performance goals. The following table presents compensation expense related to these awards for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Stock Options	$	7		$	(112	)
	Restricted shares		80			63
	RSUs		2,139			2,073
	The following table presents issuance activity related to grants of these awards for the period indicated:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Stock			Restricted			RSUs
		Options			Shares
	Stock-based award issuances		—			—			310,717
	Grant date fair value per share	$	—		$	—		$	23.7
	Included in the RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were 230,258 RSU awards that will vest based on both individual service requirements and the Company’s achievement of a specified performance goal. For awards granted in 2015, the performance goal will be met at (1) a 50% rate if the tangible book value of the Company, measured on a per share basis, has increased by an amount equal to a 6% compound annual growth rate over the three-year period beginning on January 1, 2015 (the “2015 performance period”); (2) a 100% rate if the tangible book value of the Company, measured on a per share basis, has increased by an amount equal to a 9% compound annual growth rate over the 2015 performance period; and (3) a proportional rate between 50% and 100% in the event the tangible book value of the Company, measured on a per share basis, has increased by an amount between a 6% and a 9% compound annual growth rate over the 2015 performance period. In the event the tangible book value of the Company, measured on a per share basis, has not increased by an amount equal to a 6% compound annual growth rate over the 2015 performance period, no performance share units will be earned and the award will be forfeited. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, compensation expense was recognized based on the Company’s assessment that the awards would vest at a 50% rate.
	The following table presents the unrecognized compensation related to unvested options to purchase stock, restricted shares of common stock, and RSUs and the weighted average vesting period in which the expense will be recognized:
			As of  March 31, 2015
			Stock			Restricted			RSUs
			Options			Shares
	Unrecognized compensation		$	—		$	56		$	12,960
	Unvested awards			—			12,218			2,014,801
	Weighted average vesting period			—		0.18 years			1.31 years
	In addition, as part of the Company’s satisfaction of incentive compensation earned for past service under the Company’s variable compensation programs, employees may receive RSUs in lieu of cash payments. These RSUs are issued to an irrevocable trust for the benefit of the employees and are not returnable to the Company. In settlement of such accrued incentive compensation, for the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted 26,549 such RSUs with an aggregate fair value upon grant date of $630. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company granted 294,843 comparable RSUs with an aggregate fair value upon grant date of $7,317.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	9. Segment Information:
	The Company considers its capital markets and principal investing operations to be separate reportable segments. The capital markets segment includes the Company’s investment banking and institutional sales, trading and research operations. These businesses operate as a single integrated unit to deliver capital raising, advisory and sales and trading services to corporate and institutional clients. Principal investing includes investments in investment funds, merchant banking and other equity investments, and corporate debt investments.
	The Company has developed systems and methodologies to allocate overhead costs to its business units and, accordingly, presents segment information consistent with internal management reporting. Revenue generating transactions between the individual segments are included in the net revenue and pre-tax income of each segment.
	The following tables illustrate the financial information for the Company’s segments for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2015									March 31, 2014
		Capital			Principal			Total			Capital		Principal		Total
		Markets			Investing						Markets		Investing
	Revenues, net of interest expense:
	Investment banking	$	12,675		$	—		$	12,675		$	36,639	$	—	$	36,639
	Institutional brokerage		12,243			—			12,243			15,091		—		15,091
	Net investment income		—			3,350			3,350			—		3,834		3,834
	Interest		6,983			2			6,985			187		97		284
	Dividends and other		147			124			271			61		126		187
	Total  revenues		32,048			3,476			35,524			51,978		4,057		56,035
	Interest expense		5,232			3,197			8,429			—		1,677		1,677
	Revenues, net of interest expense		26,816			279			27,095			51,978		2,380		54,358
	Operating expenses:
	Variable		5,391			23			5,414			19,544		219		19,763
	Fixed		24,791			733			25,524			24,808		772		25,580
	Total		30,182			756			30,938			44,352		991		45,343
	Pre-tax (loss) income	$	(3,366	)	$	(477	)	$	(3,843	)	$	7,626	$	1,389	$	9,015
	Compensation and benefits:
	Variable	$	2,489		$	20		$	2,509		$	16,103	$	217	$	16,320
	Fixed		15,058			388			15,446			14,636		344		14,980
	Total	$	17,547		$	408		$	17,955		$	30,739	$	561	$	31,300
	Total assets	$	935,479		$	418,920		$	1,354,399		$	279,257	$	332,548	$	611,805
	Total net assets	$	167,249		$	68,216		$	235,465		$	176,136	$	121,727	$	297,863
	The total assets of the Company’s principal investing segment increased to $418,920 as of March 31, 2015 from $204,159 as of December 31, 2014. The increase in these total assets was a result of investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2015, in particular two short-sales totaling $200,000, face value, of 4.25% U.S. Treasury securities that were outstanding as of March 31, 2015.
	The total assets of the Company’s capital markets segment increased to $935,479 as of March 31, 2015 from $830,938 as of December 31, 2014. The increase in these total assets was due primarily to the increase in securities borrowed as a result of securities lending activities during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements and has not yet determined the method by which it will adopt the standard in 2017.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 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,” (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 introduces an explicit requirement for management to assess and provide certain disclosures if there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2014-15 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items,” (“ASU 2015-01”). The main objective of ASU 2015-01 is to eliminate from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items; however, the requirement to disclose unusual and infrequent items still exists. Under this guidance, an entity will no longer segregate extraordinary items from the results of ordinary operations; separately present an extraordinary item on its income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations; or disclose income taxes and earnings-per-share data applicable to an extraordinary item. The ASU affects the reporting and disclosure requirements for an event that is unusual in nature or that occurs infrequently. ASU 2015-01 is effective for annual periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted if guidance is applied as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-01 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement,” (“ASU 2015-05”). This ASU provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The new guidance does not change the accounting for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. ASU 2015-05 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-05 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	11. Subsequent Events:
	The Company has evaluated and determined that no events or transactions occurred after March 31, 2015 that would require recognition or disclosure in these financial statements.

Financial_Instruments_and_Long1

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”) defines fair value as the price 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, not adjusted for transaction costs. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3) as described below:
	Level 1 Inputs	—	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible by the Company;
	Level 2 Inputs	—	Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly;
	Level 3 Inputs	—	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including significant assumptions of the Company and other market participants.
Investments in Marketable Securities	In accordance with ASC 320, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC 320”), these securities are carried at fair value with resulting realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected as net investment income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, pursuant to ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”), from time-to-time the Company may elect to account for non-public equity securities acquired by other than the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary as part of its trading portfolio at fair value with resulting realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected as net investment income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company did not make any such fair value elections. Net gains and losses on such trading securities as of the dates indicated were as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2015				2014
	Net gains recognized on trading securities		$	2,691			$	2,385
	Less: Net gains recognized on trading securities			(24	)			(237	)
	sold during the period
	Unrealized gains recognized on trading		$	2,667			$	2,148
	securities still held at the reporting date
	As part of the Company’s investing activities, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company entered into two short sales, totaling $200,000 face value, of 4.625% U.S. Treasury securities.  These securities mature in November 2016. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, as part of the Company’s investing activities, the Company entered into two short-sales of $100,000 face value each, 4.50% U.S. Treasury securities. These two securities which mature in November 2015 and February 2016, respectively, were settled in the fourth quarter of 2014. These positions are included in securities sold but not yet purchased on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Proceeds from open short-sales, as well as related margin requirements, are held in a collateral account and are included in due from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Such amounts are not available for withdrawal and are subject to closure of the open short positions. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred $3,197 and $1,677, respectively, of interest expense related to these transactions. The Company is obligated to fund the fixed-rate coupon interest on these securities while the short-positions are outstanding.
	Financial Instruments Held for Investment—Designated as Available-for-Sale
	From time-to-time, the Company may have investments in marketable equity securities held by other than the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary that are classified as available-for-sale securities. These investments are designated as available-for-sale due to the Company’s intent at the time of designation to hold these securities for investment purposes over an extended period, however, they are available to be sold should economic conditions warrant such a transaction. In accordance with ASC 320, these securities are carried at fair value with resulting unrealized gains and losses reflected as other comprehensive income or loss. As of March 31, 2015, the Company did not have any marketable equity securities classified as available-for-sale. Gross unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Securities Lending	On March 27, 2014, the Company entered into a Transaction Agreement with Lazard Capital Markets LLC (“LCM”) pursuant to which FBR Capital Markets & Co. (“FBRCM”) agreed to purchase LCM’s securities lending business (the “Transaction Agreement”) and on August 4, 2014, the Company completed its purchase of this business. As a result of this acquisition, the Company has an active securities borrowed and loaned business in which it borrows securities from one party and lends them to another. The Company believes that this acquisition will be accretive to its overall revenue per employee and operating margin. Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement, the Company made an initial cash payment of $1,000 at closing and is obligated to make additional payments that are contingent on the performance of the business over the 18 month period subsequent to the closing. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company made such an additional payment of $1,101 and as of March 31, 2015, the Company has estimated its aggregate remaining contingent payments to be $2,969. This estimated contingent obligation is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company will continue to assess the value of this contingent consideration at each reporting date until its obligations are satisfied.
	As a result of this purchase, the Company recorded goodwill of $2,570 and a finite-lived intangible asset related to acquired customer relationships initially valued at $2,500. The goodwill and intangible asset balances are included in the Company’s capital markets segment and these balances are expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The customer relationship intangible assets will be amortized over their estimated useful life of seven years on a straight-line basis. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $89 of amortization expense related to this intangible asset that is included in other operating expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	The following table presents the contractual gross and net securities borrowing and lending balances and the related offsetting amount as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		As of March 31, 2015
		Gross amounts recognized				Gross amounts				Net amounts		Amounts not		Net amounts
						offset in the				included in the		offset in the
						consolidated				consolidated		balance sheet but
						balance sheets(1)				balance sheets		eligible for
												offsetting upon counterparty
												default (2)
	Securities borrowed	$	748,070			$	—			$	748,070	$	748,070	$	—
	Securities loaned	$	752,909			$	—			$	752,909	$	752,909	$	—
		As of December 31, 2014
		Gross amounts recognized				Gross amounts				Net amounts		Amounts not		Net amounts
						offset in the				included in the		offset in the
						consolidated				consolidated		balance sheet but
						balance sheets(1)				balance sheets		eligible for
												offsetting upon counterparty
												default (2)
	Securities borrowed	$	594,674			$	—			$	594,674	$	594,674	$	—
	Securities loaned	$	595,717			$	—			$	595,717	$	595,717	$	—
	-1	Includes financial instruments subject to enforceable master netting provisions that are permitted to be offset to the extent an event of default has occurred.
	-2	Includes the amount of cash collateral held/posted.
Income Taxes	The Company’s quarterly tax provision is determined pursuant to ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which requires using an estimated annual effective rate based on forecasted taxable income for the full year.
Compensation-Stock Compensation	In accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation,” the Company is required to recognize compensation expense relating to shares offered under the Purchase Plan. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized compensation expense of $83 and $149, respectively, related to the Purchase Plan.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements and has not yet determined the method by which it will adopt the standard in 2017.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 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,” (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 introduces an explicit requirement for management to assess and provide certain disclosures if there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2014-15 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items,” (“ASU 2015-01”). The main objective of ASU 2015-01 is to eliminate from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items; however, the requirement to disclose unusual and infrequent items still exists. Under this guidance, an entity will no longer segregate extraordinary items from the results of ordinary operations; separately present an extraordinary item on its income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations; or disclose income taxes and earnings-per-share data applicable to an extraordinary item. The ASU affects the reporting and disclosure requirements for an event that is unusual in nature or that occurs infrequently. ASU 2015-01 is effective for annual periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted if guidance is applied as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-01 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement,” (“ASU 2015-05”). This ASU provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The new guidance does not change the accounting for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. ASU 2015-05 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-05 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Financial_Instruments_and_Long2

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, financial instruments and long-term investments accounted for under ASC 820 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. As required by ASC 820, assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
		March 31, 2015				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
	Financial instruments owned, at fair value:
	Financial instruments held for trading activities at
	broker-dealer subsidiary:
	Marketable and non-public equity securities	$	12,556			$	12,511			$	—			$	45
	Convertible and fixed income debt instruments		32,076				—				32,076				—
		$	44,632			$	12,511			$	32,076			$	45
	Financial instruments held for investment activities:
	Designated as trading:
	Marketable and non-public equity securities		2,208				—				—				2,208
	Warrants		603				—				—				603
			2,811				—				—				2,811
	Investment funds		101,602				—				50,674				50,928
	Total	$	149,045			$	12,511			$	82,750			$	53,784
	Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value:
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	294,397			$	294,397			$	—			$	—
	Marketable and non-public equity securities		21,119				21,119
	Convertible and fixed income debt instruments		14,249				—				14,249				—
	Total	$	329,765			$	315,516			$	14,249			$	—
		31-Dec-14				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
	Financial instruments owned, at fair value:
	Financial instruments held for trading activities at
	broker-dealer subsidiary:
	Marketable and non-public equity securities	$	14,832			$	14,758			$	—			$	74
	Listed options		2				2				—				—
	Convertible and fixed income debt instruments		42,864				—				42,864				—
			57,698				14,760				42,864				74
	Financial instruments held for investment activities:
	Designated as trading:
	Marketable and non-public equity securities		2,325				175				—				2,150
	Warrants		964				—				—				964
	Designated as available-for-sale:
	Marketable equity securities		172				172				—				—
			3,461				347				—				3,114
	Investment funds		104,888				—				58,292				46,596
	Total	$	166,047			$	15,107			$	101,156			$	49,784
	Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value:
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	84,950			$	84,950			$	—			$	—
	Marketable and non-public equity securities		34,043				34,043				—				—
	Convertible and fixed income debt instruments		2,317				—				2,317				—
	Total	$	121,310			$	118,993			$	2,317			$	—
Valuation Technique and Unobservable Inputs	The following table provides the valuation technique and unobservable inputs primarily used in assessing the value of these securities as of March 31, 2015:
	Valuation Technique		Fair Value				Unobservable Input		Range				Weighted Average
	Market approach		$	2,253			Over-the-counter trading activity		$ 0 - $17.00/share				$15.00
	Black-Scholes		$	603			Volatility		30%					30%
							Dividend Yield		0%					0%
							Interest Rate			1.80%				1.80%
	The following table provides the valuation technique and unobservable inputs primarily used in assessing the value of these securities as of December 31, 2014:
	Valuation Technique		Fair Value				Unobservable Input		Range		Weighted Average
	Market approach		$	2,224			Over-the-counter trading activity		$0 - $34.00/share		$11.56
	Black-Scholes		$	964			Volatility		30%			30%
							Dividend Yield		0%			0%
							Interest Rate		2.10%			2.10%
Changes in Fair Value of Company's Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The tables below set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not have any net unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income on Level 3 financial assets.
			Trading				Investment				Total
			Securities				Funds
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2015		$	3,188			$	46,596			$	49,784
	Total net gains (losses) (realized/unrealized)
	Included in earnings			(303	)			384				81
	Included in other comprehensive income			—				—				—
	Purchases			13,420				750				14,170
	Sales/Distributions			(13,420	)			(47	)			(13,467	)
	Transfers (out of) into Level 3			(29	)			3,245				3,216
	Ending balance, March 31, 2015		$	2,856			$	50,928			$	53,784
	The amount of total gains or losses for the period		$	(303	)		$	384			$	81
	included in earnings attributable to the change in
	unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and
	liabilities still held at the reporting date
			Trading				Trading				Investment				Total
			Securities				Securities Sold				Funds
							not yet
							Purchased
	Beginning balance, January 1, 2014		$	11,535			$	(1,499	)		$	61,197			$	71,233
	Total net gains (losses) (realized/unrealized)
	Included in earnings			(80	)			(122	)			1,691				1,489
	Included in other comprehensive income			—				—				—				—
	Purchases			13,842				6,043				15,000				34,885
	Sales/Distributions			(15,197	)			(4,422	)			(34	)			(19,653	)
	Transfers out of Level 3			(6,216	)			—				—				(6,216	)
	Ending balance, March 31, 2014		$	3,884			$	—			$	77,854			$	81,738
	The amount of total gains or losses for the period		$	(377	)		$	—			$	1,609			$	1,232
	included in earnings attributable to the change in
	unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and
	liabilities still held at the reporting date
Gains (Losses) from Level 3 Financial Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	Gains and losses from Level 3 financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, that are included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, are reported in the following line descriptions on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
	Total gains and losses included in earnings for the period:
	Institutional brokerage	$	1			$	(39	)
	Net investment income		80				1,528
	Change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still
	held at the end of the respective period:
	Institutional brokerage	$	1			$	(214	)
	Net investment income		80				1,446
Financial Instruments Held for Investment - Designated as Trading	Net gains and losses on such trading securities as of the dates indicated were as follows:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2015				2014
	Net gains recognized on trading securities		$	2,691			$	2,385
	Less: Net gains recognized on trading securities			(24	)			(237	)
	sold during the period
	Unrealized gains recognized on trading		$	2,667			$	2,148
	securities still held at the reporting date
Company's Investments in Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds Measured at Fair Value Based on Net Asset Value	The following table presents information about the Company’s investments in hedge funds and private equity funds measured at fair value based on NAV at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
			March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
			Fair Value				Unfunded Commitment				Fair Value				Unfunded Commitment
	Hedge funds:
	Fixed income/credit-related		$	54,544			$	—			$	57,532			$	—
	Multi-strategy			36,684				—				37,890				—
	Private equity funds			10,374				1,841				9,466				2,586
	Total		$	101,602			$	1,841			$	104,888			$	2,586
Financial Instruments Held for Investment - Designated as Available-for-Sale			31-Dec-14
							Unrealized
			Cost Basis				Gains				Losses				Fair Value
	Marketable equity securities		$	100			$	72			$	—			$	172
Detail of the Amounts Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Reclassified to Earnings	The following tables set forth the changes in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the period indicated along with detail regarding reclassifications from other comprehensive income. All such reclassifications from other comprehensive income (loss) are included in net investment income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance	$	44			$	34
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		—				19
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		(44	)			—
	Accumulated other comprehensive income, at period end	$	—			$	53
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Reclassifications from other comprehensive income:
	Realized gains on sale of securities	$	44			$	—
Other Investments, at Cost	Other investments consisted of the following as of the dates indicated:
		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
	Non-public equity securities	$	7,000			$	7,000

Securities_Lending_Tables

Securities Lending (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Securities Lending [Abstract]
Gross and Net Securities Borrowing and Lending Balances
	The following table presents the contractual gross and net securities borrowing and lending balances and the related offsetting amount as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		As of March 31, 2015
		Gross amounts recognized		Gross amounts		Net amounts		Amounts not		Net amounts
				offset in the		included in the		offset in the
				consolidated		consolidated		balance sheet but
				balance sheets(1)		balance sheets		eligible for
								offsetting upon counterparty
								default (2)
	Securities borrowed	$	748,070	$	—	$	748,070	$	748,070	$	—
	Securities loaned	$	752,909	$	—	$	752,909	$	752,909	$	—
		As of December 31, 2014
		Gross amounts recognized		Gross amounts		Net amounts		Amounts not		Net amounts
				offset in the		included in the		offset in the
				consolidated		consolidated		balance sheet but
				balance sheets(1)		balance sheets		eligible for
								offsetting upon counterparty
								default (2)
	Securities borrowed	$	594,674	$	—	$	594,674	$	594,674	$	—
	Securities loaned	$	595,717	$	—	$	595,717	$	595,717	$	—
	-1	Includes financial instruments subject to enforceable master netting provisions that are permitted to be offset to the extent an event of default has occurred.
	-2	Includes the amount of cash collateral held/posted.

Loss_Income_Per_Share_Tables

(Loss) Income Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computations of Basic and Diluted (Loss) Income Per Share	The following table presents the computations of basic and diluted (loss) income per share for the periods indicated:
			Three Months Ended							Three Months Ended
			March 31, 2015							March 31, 2014
			Basic				Diluted			Basic		Diluted
	Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Common stock (in thousands)			8,827				8,827			10,968		10,968
	Stock options, unvested restricted stock and			—				—			—		1,119
	RSUs (in thousands)
	Weighted average common and common equivalent			8,827				8,827			10,968		12,087
	shares outstanding (in thousands)
	Net (loss) income applicable to common stock		$	(2,522	)		$	(2,522	)	$	5,610	$	5,610
	Net (loss) income per common share		$	(0.29	)		$	(0.29	)	$	0.51	$	0.46
Number of Anti-Dilutive Stock Options, Unvested Restricted Stock and Unvested RSUs Outstanding	The following table presents the number of anti-dilutive stock options, unvested restricted stock and unvested RSUs for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Stock Options—Employees and directors		851				783
	Stock Options—Non-employee		32				27
	Restricted Stock, unvested		12				4
	Restricted Stock Units, unvested		2,015				1,219
	Total		2,910				2,033

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Compensation Expense Related to Awards	The following table presents compensation expense related to these awards for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Stock Options	$	7		$	(112	)
	Restricted shares		80			63
	RSUs		2,139			2,073
Issuance Activity Related to Grants of Awards	The following table presents issuance activity related to grants of these awards for the period indicated:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Stock			Restricted			RSUs
		Options			Shares
	Stock-based award issuances		—			—			310,717
	Grant date fair value per share	$	—		$	—		$	23.7
Unrecognized Compensation Related to Awards	The following table presents the unrecognized compensation related to unvested options to purchase stock, restricted shares of common stock, and RSUs and the weighted average vesting period in which the expense will be recognized:
			As of  March 31, 2015
			Stock			Restricted			RSUs
			Options			Shares
	Unrecognized compensation		$	—		$	56		$	12,960
	Unvested awards			—			12,218			2,014,801
	Weighted average vesting period			—		0.18 years			1.31 years

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Financial Information of Company's Segments	The following tables illustrate the financial information for the Company’s segments for the periods indicated:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2015									March 31, 2014
		Capital			Principal			Total			Capital		Principal		Total
		Markets			Investing						Markets		Investing
	Revenues, net of interest expense:
	Investment banking	$	12,675		$	—		$	12,675		$	36,639	$	—	$	36,639
	Institutional brokerage		12,243			—			12,243			15,091		—		15,091
	Net investment income		—			3,350			3,350			—		3,834		3,834
	Interest		6,983			2			6,985			187		97		284
	Dividends and other		147			124			271			61		126		187
	Total  revenues		32,048			3,476			35,524			51,978		4,057		56,035
	Interest expense		5,232			3,197			8,429			—		1,677		1,677
	Revenues, net of interest expense		26,816			279			27,095			51,978		2,380		54,358
	Operating expenses:
	Variable		5,391			23			5,414			19,544		219		19,763
	Fixed		24,791			733			25,524			24,808		772		25,580
	Total		30,182			756			30,938			44,352		991		45,343
	Pre-tax (loss) income	$	(3,366	)	$	(477	)	$	(3,843	)	$	7,626	$	1,389	$	9,015
	Compensation and benefits:
	Variable	$	2,489		$	20		$	2,509		$	16,103	$	217	$	16,320
	Fixed		15,058			388			15,446			14,636		344		14,980
	Total	$	17,547		$	408		$	17,955		$	30,739	$	561	$	31,300
	Total assets	$	935,479		$	418,920		$	1,354,399		$	279,257	$	332,548	$	611,805
	Total net assets	$	167,249		$	68,216		$	235,465		$	176,136	$	121,727	$	297,863

Financial_Instruments_and_Long3

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments - Items Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	$44,632	$57,698
Financial instruments held for investment activities	2,811	3,461
Investment funds	101,602	104,888
Total	149,045	166,047
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	329,765	121,310
Marketable and Non-Public Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	12,556	14,832
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	21,119	34,043
Convertible and Fixed Income Debt Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	32,076	42,864
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	14,249	2,317
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	294,397	84,950
Listed Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary		2
Estimated Fair Value, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	12,511	14,760
Financial instruments held for investment activities	0	347
Investment funds	0	0
Total	12,511	15,107
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	315,516	118,993
Estimated Fair Value, Level 1 [Member] | Marketable and Non-Public Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	12,511	14,758
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	21,119	34,043
Estimated Fair Value, Level 1 [Member] | Convertible and Fixed Income Debt Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	0	0
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	294,397	84,950
Estimated Fair Value, Level 1 [Member] | Listed Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary		2
Estimated Fair Value, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	32,076	42,864
Financial instruments held for investment activities	0	0
Investment funds	50,674	58,292
Total	82,750	101,156
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	14,249	2,317
Estimated Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Marketable and Non-Public Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	0	0
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Convertible and Fixed Income Debt Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	32,076	42,864
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	14,249	2,317
Estimated Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Listed Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary		0
Estimated Fair Value, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	45	74
Financial instruments held for investment activities	2,811	3,114
Investment funds	50,928	46,596
Total	53,784	49,784
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Marketable and Non-Public Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	45	74
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Convertible and Fixed Income Debt Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary	0	0
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	0	0
Estimated Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Listed Options [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiary		0
Trading Securities [Member] | Marketable and Non-Public Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities	2,208	2,325
Trading Securities [Member] | Warrants [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities	603	964
Trading Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Level 1 [Member] | Marketable and Non-Public Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities	0	175
Trading Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Level 1 [Member] | Warrants [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities	0	0
Trading Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Marketable and Non-Public Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities	0	0
Trading Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Warrants [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities	0	0
Trading Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Marketable and Non-Public Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities	2,208	2,150
Trading Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Warrants [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities	603	964
Available-for-Sale Securities [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities		172
Available-for-Sale Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Level 1 [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities		172
Available-for-Sale Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities		0
Available-for-Sale Securities [Member] | Estimated Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial instruments held for investment activities		$0

Financial_Instruments_and_Long4

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	Short_Sale	Security	Investment
	Security	Short_Sale
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis	$149,045,000		$166,047,000
Investment funds	101,602,000		104,888,000
Number of Transfer made out of Level 2 and into Level 3	1
Transfer made into Level 2	0
Transfer made out of Level 2		0
Number of Transfer made out of Level 3 and into Level 1	1	1
Number of short-sales	2	2
Face value amount		100,000,000
Coupon rate of treasury securities		4.50%
Securities maturity date		2015-11
Securities maturity date		2016-02
Interest expense	8,429,000	1,677,000
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	0	0
Marketable securities with unrealized loss position		0
Gain realized on marketable securities	91,000
Reclassified unrealized gain on sale of investment	191,000
Impairment losses	0	0
Other investments, at cost	7,000,000		7,000,000
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other investments, at cost	0	5,000,000
Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities		0
Short Sales One [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Coupon rate of treasury securities	4.63%
Securities maturity date	2016-11
Short Sales Two [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Coupon rate of treasury securities	4.63%
Securities maturity date	2016-11
Short Sales [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Face value amount	200,000,000
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest expense	3,197,000	1,677,000
Hedge Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Percentage of fair value redeemable on 60 days or less	50.00%
Amount of fair value redeemable on 60 days or less	50,674,000
Percentage of fair value redeemable between 90 and 180 days	26.00%
Amount of fair value redeemable between 90 and 180 days	26,570,000
Percentage of fair market value subject to lockup provisions	14.00%
Amount of fair market value subject to lockup provisions	13,985,000
Percentage of fair market value expired during twenty fifteen	57.00%
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis	0		0
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis	0		0
Non Registered Investment [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investment funds	50,928,000		46,596,000
Number of non-registered investment	11		10
Estimated Fair Value, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis	53,784,000		49,784,000
Percentage of assets measured on recurring basis to assets	4.00%		4.80%
Investment funds	$50,928,000		$46,596,000

Financial_Instruments_and_Long5

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments - Valuation Technique and Unobservable Inputs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets Approach [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value	$2,253	$2,224
Assets Approach [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Over-the-counter trading activity	$17	$34
Assets Approach [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Over-the-counter trading activity	$15	$11.56
Black-Scholes [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value	$603	$964
Volatility	30.00%	30.00%
Dividend Yield	0.00%	0.00%
Interest Rate	1.80%	2.10%
Volatility, weighted average	30.00%	30.00%
Black-Scholes [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Dividend Yield	0.00%	0.00%
Interest Rate	1.80%	2.10%

Financial_Instruments_and_Long6

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments - Changes in Fair Value of Company's Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$49,784	$71,233
Total net gains (losses) (realized/unrealized)
Included in earnings	81	1,489
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Purchases	14,170	34,885
Sales/Distributions	-13,467	-19,653
Transfers (out of) into Level 3	3,216	-6,216
Ending balance	53,784	81,738
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date	81	1,232
Trading Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance	3,188	11,535
Total net gains (losses) (realized/unrealized)
Included in earnings	-303	-80
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Purchases	13,420	13,842
Sales/Distributions	-13,420	-15,197
Transfers (out of) into Level 3	-29	-6,216
Ending balance	2,856	3,884
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date	-303	-377
Investment Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance	46,596	61,197
Total net gains (losses) (realized/unrealized)
Included in earnings	384	1,691
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Purchases	750	15,000
Sales/Distributions	-47	-34
Transfers (out of) into Level 3	3,245	0
Ending balance	50,928	77,854
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date	384	1,609
Trading Securities Sold not yet Purchased [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance		-1,499
Total net gains (losses) (realized/unrealized)
Included in earnings		-122
Included in other comprehensive income		0
Purchases		6,043
Sales/Distributions		-4,422
Transfers (out of) into Level 3		0
Ending balance		0
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date		$0

Financial_Instruments_and_Long7

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments - Gains (Losses) from Level 3 Financial Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Institutional Brokerage [Member]
Total gains and losses included in earnings for the period:
Included in earnings	$1	($39)
Change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the end of the respective period	1	-214
Net Investment Income [Member]
Total gains and losses included in earnings for the period:
Included in earnings	80	1,528
Change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the end of the respective period	$80	$1,446

Financial_Instruments_and_Long8

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments - Designated as Trading (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net Realized Or Unrealized Gain Loss On Trading Securities [Abstract]
Net gains recognized on trading securities	$2,691	$2,385
Less: Net gains recognized on trading securities sold during the period	-24	-237
Unrealized gains recognized on trading securities still held at the reporting date	$2,667	$2,148

Financial_Instruments_and_Long9

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments - Company's Investments in Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds Measured at Fair Value Based on Net Asset Value (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	$101,602	$104,888
Unfunded Commitment	1,841	2,586
Hedge Funds, Fixed Income/Credit-Related [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	54,544	57,532
Unfunded Commitment	0	0
Hedge Funds, Multi-Strategy [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	36,684	37,890
Unfunded Commitment	0	0
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share [Line Items]
Fair Value	10,374	9,466
Unfunded Commitment	$1,841	$2,586

Recovered_Sheet1

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments - Financial Instruments Held for Investment - Designated as Available-for-Sale (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial Instruments Held For Investment Designated As Available For Sale [Abstract]
Marketable equity securities, Cost Basis	$100
Marketable equity securities, Unrealized Gains	72
Marketable equity securities, Unrealized Losses	0
Marketable equity securities, Fair Value	$172

Recovered_Sheet2

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments - Changes in the Company's Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Amortized Cost And Fair Value Debt Securities [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance	$44	$34
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0	19
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	-44	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income, at period end	0	53
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income:
Realized gains on sale of securities	$44	$0

Recovered_Sheet3

Financial Instruments and Long-Term Investments - Other Investments, at Cost (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Cost Method Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, at cost	$7,000	$7,000
Non-Public Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule Of Cost Method Investments [Line Items]
Other investments, at cost	$7,000	$7,000

Securities_Lending_Additional_

Securities Lending - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 27, 2014
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]
Initial cash payment on securities lending business	$1,101	$0
Additional payment made on contingent on performance of business	1,101
Amortization of intangible assets	89
Customer Relationships [Member]
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	7 years
Lazard Capital Markets LLC [Member]
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]
Initial cash payment on securities lending business			1,000
Completed date of purchase of LCM's securities lending business	4-Aug-14
Estimated additional payment on securities lending business	2,969
Purchase price allocated to goodwill			2,570
Lazard Capital Markets LLC [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase price allocated to intangible assets			$2,500

Securities_Lending_Gross_and_N

Securities Lending - Gross and Net Securities Borrowing and Lending Balances (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Brokers And Dealers [Abstract]
Gross amounts recognized	$748,070	$594,674
Gross amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheets	0	0
Net amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets	748,070	594,674
Amounts not offset in the balance sheet but eligible for offsetting upon counterparty default	748,070	594,674
Net amounts	0	0
Gross amounts recognized	752,909	595,717
Gross amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheets	0	0
Net amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets	752,909	595,717
Amounts not offset in the balance sheet but eligible for offsetting upon counterparty default	752,909	595,717
Net amounts	$0	$0

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax (benefit) expense	($1,321)	$3,405
Effective tax rates	34.40%	37.80%
Deferred tax assets			32,183
Valuation allowance			$3,535

Regulatory_Capital_Requirement1

Regulatory Capital Requirements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Brokers And Dealers [Abstract]
Net capital	$43,957
Net capital, excess of minimum required capital	41,963
Minimum net capital required	$1,994

Loss_Income_Per_Share_Computat

(Loss) Income Per Share - Computations of Basic and Diluted (Loss) Income Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Weighted average shares outstanding, Basic:
Common stock, Basic	8,827	10,968
Stock options, unvested restricted stock and RSUs, Basic	0	0
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding, Basic	8,827	10,968
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock, Basic	($2,522)	$5,610
Net (loss) income per common share, Basic	($0.29)	$0.51
Weighted average shares outstanding, Diluted:
Common stock, Diluted	8,827	10,968
Stock options, unvested restricted stock and RSUs, Diluted	0	1,119
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding, Diluted	8,827	12,087
Net (loss) income applicable to common stock, Diluted	($2,522)	$5,610
Net (loss) income per common share, Diluted	($0.29)	$0.46

Loss_Income_Per_Share_Number_o

(Loss) Income Per Share - Number of Anti-Dilutive Stock Options, Unvested Restricted Stock and Unvested RSUs Outstanding (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive stock-based awards	2,910	2,033
Stock Options-Employees and Directors [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive stock-based awards	851	783
Stock Options-Non-Employee [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive stock-based awards	32	27
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive stock-based awards	12	4
RSUs [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive stock-based awards	2,015	1,219

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 21, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Repurchases of common stock	$25,849	$8,204
Number of shares authorized to repurchase	44,204
Discounted purchase price of market value for Employee Stock Purchase Plan	85.00%
Compensation expense	83	149
Exercised	0
Forfeited	0
Percentage of compensation expense	50.00%
Aggregate fair value upon grant date	630	7,317
Performance Period Commencing January 1, 2015 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of rate used under condition one of performance goal	50.00%
Percentage of compound annual growth rate in performance period used under condition one of performance goal	6.00%
Performance period under performance goal	3 years
Percentage of rate used under condition two of performance goal	100.00%
Percentage of compound annual growth rate in performance period used under condition two of performance goal	9.00%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased				750,000
Open Market Transaction [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of common stock repurchased	955,796	261,817
Weighted average price	$24.85	$26.16
Repurchases of common stock	23,749	6,849
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of common stock repurchased	90,000		71,000
Weighted average price	$23.33		$25.68
Repurchases of common stock	$2,100		$1,823
Number of stock-based awards available for grant under the long-term incentive plan	7,217,496
Period for long-term incentive plan	10 years
Termination date	22-Oct-23
Stock Compensation Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise period of stock options	10 years
RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares, Granted	26,549	294,843
RSUs [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares, Granted	230,258
RSUs [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Performance Period Commencing January 1, 2015 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of rate used under condition three of performance goal	100.00%
Percentage of compound annual growth rate in performance period used under condition three of performance goal	9.00%
RSUs [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Performance Period Commencing January 1, 2015 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of rate used under condition three of performance goal	50.00%
Percentage of compound annual growth rate in performance period used under condition three of performance goal	6.00%

Shareholders_Equity_Compensati

Shareholders' Equity - Compensation Expense Related to Awards (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	$2,309	$2,173
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	7	-112
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	80	63
RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	$2,139	$2,073

Shareholders_Equity_Issuance_A

Shareholders' Equity - Issuance Activity Related to Grants of Awards (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based award issuances	0
Grant date fair value per share	$0
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based award issuances	0
Grant date fair value per share	$0
RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based award issuances	310,717
Grant date fair value per share	$23.70

Shareholders_Equity_Unrecogniz

Shareholders' Equity - Unrecognized Compensation Related to Awards (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation	$0
Unvested awards	0
Weighted average vesting period	0 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation	56
Unvested awards	12,218
Weighted average vesting period	2 months 5 days
RSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation	$12,960
Unvested awards	2,014,801
Weighted average vesting period	1 year 3 months 22 days

Segment_Information_Summary_of

Segment Information - Summary of Financial Information of Company's Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues, net of interest expense:
Investment banking	$12,675	$36,639
Institutional brokerage	12,243	15,091
Net investment income	3,350	3,834
Interest	6,985	284
Dividends and other	271	187
Total revenues	35,524	56,035
Interest expense	8,429	1,677
Revenues, net of interest expense	27,095	54,358
Operating expenses:
Variable	5,414	19,763
Fixed	25,524	25,580
Total non-interest expenses	30,938	45,343
Pre-tax (loss) income	-3,843	9,015
Compensation and benefits:
Variable	2,509	16,320
Fixed	15,446	14,980
Total	17,955	31,300
Total assets	1,354,399	611,805	1,035,097
Total net assets	235,465	297,863
Capital Markets [Member]
Revenues, net of interest expense:
Investment banking	12,675	36,639
Institutional brokerage	12,243	15,091
Net investment income	0	0
Interest	6,983	187
Dividends and other	147	61
Total revenues	32,048	51,978
Interest expense	5,232	0
Revenues, net of interest expense	26,816	51,978
Operating expenses:
Variable	5,391	19,544
Fixed	24,791	24,808
Total non-interest expenses	30,182	44,352
Pre-tax (loss) income	-3,366	7,626
Compensation and benefits:
Variable	2,489	16,103
Fixed	15,058	14,636
Total	17,547	30,739
Total assets	935,479	279,257	830,938
Total net assets	167,249	176,136
Principal Investing [Member]
Revenues, net of interest expense:
Investment banking	0	0
Institutional brokerage	0	0
Net investment income	3,350	3,834
Interest	2	97
Dividends and other	124	126
Total revenues	3,476	4,057
Interest expense	3,197	1,677
Revenues, net of interest expense	279	2,380
Operating expenses:
Variable	23	219
Fixed	733	772
Total non-interest expenses	756	991
Pre-tax (loss) income	-477	1,389
Compensation and benefits:
Variable	20	217
Fixed	388	344
Total	408	561
Total assets	418,920	332,548	204,159
Total net assets	$68,216	$121,727

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	Short_Sale	Short_Sale
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Increase/Decrease in total assets of segment	$1,354,399,000	$611,805,000	$1,035,097,000
Face value amount		100,000,000
Number of short-sales	2	2
Coupon rate of treasury securities		4.50%
Short Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Face value amount	200,000,000
Principal Investing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Increase/Decrease in total assets of segment	418,920,000	332,548,000	204,159,000
Number of short-sales	2
Coupon rate of treasury securities	4.25%
Principal Investing [Member] | Short Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Face value amount	200,000,000
Capital Markets [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Increase/Decrease in total assets of segment	$935,479,000	$279,257,000	$830,938,000