Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2011
Revenues:
Commissions	$ 117,499	$ 119,921
Principal transactions	280,835	290,151
Investment banking	285,795	239,059
Asset management fees and investment income from managed funds	5,634	23,868
Interest	274,708	273,216
Other	42,340	20,461
Total revenues	1,006,811	966,676
Interest expense	226,845	208,294
Net revenues	779,966	758,382
Interest on mandatorily redeemable preferred interest of consolidated subsidiaries	21,844	16,438
Net revenues, less mandatorily redeemable preferred interest	758,122	741,944
Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits	446,462	442,892
Floor brokerage and clearing fees	27,838	28,132
Technology and communications	61,450	43,675
Occupancy and equipment rental	22,565	17,979
Business development	22,247	19,938
Professional services	13,693	13,276
Other	14,998	13,121
Total non-interest expenses	609,253	579,013
Earnings before income taxes	148,869	162,931
Income tax expense	52,152	60,886
Net earnings	96,717	102,045
Net earnings to noncontrolling interests	19,581	14,704
Net earnings to common shareholders	$ 77,136	$ 87,341
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$ 0.33	$ 0.42
Diluted	$ 0.33	$ 0.42
Weighted average common shares:
Basic	218,049	199,141
Diluted	222,162	203,257