Investments - Summary of Selected Financial Information for Jefferies Finance (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2018	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2017
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
CLO placement fee revenues	$ 147,902	$ 145,822
Jefferies Finance, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Interest income	800	1,100
Unfunded commitment fees	200	300
Our total equity balance	657,400		$ 636,200
Net earnings	42,500	42,000
Origination and syndication fee revenues	101,400	66,200
Origination fee expenses	18,500	2,100
CLO placement fee revenues	300	2,700
Derivative gains (losses)	(300)	(100)
Underwriting fees	300	0
Service fees	$ 26,100	$ 20,200