Segment Reporting - Net Revenues, Expenses and Total Assets by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2014
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 791,554	$ 722,992	$ 1,383,226	$ 1,622,020
Expenses	706,842	623,855	1,285,630	1,340,614
Segment assets	44,141,835		44,141,835		$ 44,517,648
Capital Markets [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	789,100	717,800	1,351,500	1,594,700
Expenses	692,400	617,100	1,264,700	1,322,800
Segment assets	43,465,300		43,465,300		44,002,600
Asset Management [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenues	2,500	5,200	31,700	27,300
Expenses	14,400	$ 6,700	20,900	$ 17,800
Segment assets	$ 676,500		$ 676,500		$ 515,000