Level 3 financial instruments for which the entity bears economic exposure.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Level 3 financial instruments for which the entity does not bear economic exposure.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Fair value of loan obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in structured asset - backed securities whose value and payments are derived from portfolio of fixed income underlying assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in corporate loans, participation certificates in GNMA project and construction loans, and escrow and trade claim receivables.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Level 3 assets carried at fair value for which the entity bears economic exposure.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The fair value as of the balance sheet date of the firm's investments in funds managed by us and investments in third-party managed funds in which we are entitled to a portion of the management and/or performance fees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Company may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Amount of cash subject to withdrawal restrictions, restricted deposits held as compensating balances, and cash and securities segregated in compliance with regulations (such as cash deposited in a special reserve account for the exclusive benefit of customers).

+ References

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-Number AAG-BRD

-Paragraph 80

-Subparagraph Exhibit 4-8, 3

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives classified as a liability.

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 12-16, 44A, 44B

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-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

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The aggregate fair value as of the balance sheet date of financial instruments and other positions owned by the entity including: (1) mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset backed securities; (2) US government and agency obligations; (3) state and municipal government obligations; (4) other sovereign government debt; (5) corporate obligations; (6) corporate equities; (7) principal investments; (8) derivative contracts; and (9) physical commodities. Includes both pledged and unpledged holdings.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 940

-SubTopic 320

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

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The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in fixed income or other debt securities issued by a corporation or other issuer not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy. Includes both pledged (to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions) and unpledged holdings.

+ References

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The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in corporate stocks (common and preferred), stock options, warrants and any other financial instrument which represents, or provides the ability to obtain, ownership rights in a corporation. Includes both pledged (to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions) and unpledged holdings.

+ References

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The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in all assets resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments. Their value is derived from the values of one or more underlying assets, reference rates, or indices of asset values. Includes both pledged (to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions) and unpledged holdings.

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 4

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The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in mortgages, mortgage backed securities (investment instruments that represent ownership of an undivided interest in a group of mortgages, where principal and interest from the individual mortgages are used to pay investors' principal and interest on the mortgage backed security) and asset-backed securities that are primarily paid from the cash flows of a discrete pool of receivables or other financial assets (such as credit-card receivables), either fixed or revolving, that by their terms convert into cash within a finite time period. Includes both pledged (to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions) and unpledged holdings.

+ References

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- Definition

The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in fixed income obligations issued by foreign governments. Includes both pledged (to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions) and unpledged holdings.

+ References

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- Definition

The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in physical commodity contracts (for example, agricultural products, metals and energy). Includes both pledged (to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions) and unpledged holdings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in private equity, mezzanine, venture capital, merchant banking, real estate and special situations investments. Includes both pledged (to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions) and unpledged holdings.

+ References

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- Definition

The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in fixed income obligations issued by state and local governments and authorities. Includes both pledged (to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions) and unpledged holdings.

+ References

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- Definition

The fair value as of the balance sheet date of firm holdings in debt obligations issued by the US government including short-term Treasury bills, medium-term Treasury notes, and long-term Treasury bonds, as well as debt issued by agencies. Includes both pledged (to counterparties as collateral for financing transactions) and unpledged holdings.

+ References

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- Definition

Fair value of obligations incurred from short sales.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 940

-SubTopic 320

-Section 35

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6475908&loc=d3e42429-110968

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-Chapter 7

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Fair value of obligations arising from corporate debt obligations sold short.

+ References

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Fair value of obligations arising from corporate equity sold short.

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Fair value of obligations arising from derivatives and other contracts sold short.

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Fair value of obligations arising from mortgages, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities sold short.

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Fair value of obligations arising from foreign government debt obligations short.

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Fair value of obligations arising from physical commodities sold short.

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Fair value of obligations arising from US treasury and other US government and agency debt obligations sold short.

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- Definition

The fair value of collateral received by the entity associated with securities borrowed that must be returned if the counterparty fulfills its obligations. It appears on the balance sheet as a liability and has a corresponding asset that appears on the balance sheet called Securities Received as Collateral.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Collateral

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507830

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of other collateralized debt obligations.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479118&loc=d3e64650-112822

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The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the assets received as collateral against securities loaned to other broker-dealers. Borrowers of securities generally are required to provide collateral to the lenders of securities, commonly cash but sometimes other securities or standby letters of credit, with a value slightly higher than that of the securities borrowed. In instances where the entity is permitted to sell or re-pledge these securities, the entity reports the fair value of the collateral received and the related obligation to return the collateral as a liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 140

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph a(3)

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Fair Value Disclosures - Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Feb. 28, 2013 Predecessor [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Predecessor [Member]	Nov. 30, 2011 Predecessor [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Other asset-backed securities [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Other asset-backed securities [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Predecessor [Member] Other asset-backed securities [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member]	Feb. 28, 2013 Successor [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Other asset-backed securities [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Other asset-backed securities [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Successor [Member] Other asset-backed securities [Member] Level 3 [Member]
Financial instruments owned:
Corporate equity securities				$ 1,762,775			$ 1,608,715	$ 137,245	$ 16,815											$ 1,933,302		$ 1,753,178	$ 164,045	$ 16,079
Corporate debt securities				3,038,146				3,034,515	3,631											2,354,748			2,334,115	20,633
Collateralized debt obligations				118,494				87,239	31,255											242,511			196,639	45,872
U.S. government and federal agency securities				1,835,927			1,720,617	115,310												1,605,892		1,559,899	45,993
Municipal securities				619,969				619,969												504,981			504,981
Sovereign obligations				2,697,854			1,722,044	975,810												1,916,997		1,225,076	691,921
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities, assets				5,468,284							4,164,913	4,008,844	156,069	1,090,535	1,060,333	30,202	94,342	93,228	1,114	4,126,691						3,083,802	2,951,619	132,183	742,788	728,365	14,423	57,590	49,020	8,570
Loans and other receivables				678,311				497,918	180,393											942,969			812,517	130,452
Derivatives	121,869			298,086			615,024	1,547,984	328	(1,865,250)										121,869		38,410	1,937,799	2,567	(1,856,907)
Investments at fair value				127,023				43,126	83,897											79,917			6,465	73,452
Physical commodities				144,016				144,016												110,915			110,915
Total financial instruments owned				16,670,391			5,666,400	12,365,537	503,704	(1,865,250)										13,698,281		4,576,563	10,534,394	444,231	(1,856,907)
Cash and cash equivalents			3,017,958	2,692,595	2,844,513	2,393,797	2,692,595													4,119,096	3,017,958	4,119,096
Investments in managed funds				57,763					57,763											55,897				55,897
Cash and securities segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes				4,082,595			4,082,595													3,457,926		3,457,926
Securities received as collateral	45,100	0																		45,133		45,133
Total Level 3 assets									508,178															500,128
Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
Corporate equity securities				1,539,332			1,442,347	96,947	38											1,739,491		1,675,406	64,047	38
Corporate debt securities				1,389,312				1,389,312												1,320,896			1,320,896
U.S. government and federal agency securities				1,679,133			1,428,746	250,387												1,299,404		1,299,404
Sovereign obligations				1,986,979			1,395,355	591,624												1,688,111		1,043,906	644,205
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities, liabilities				241,211							239,063	239,063		2,148	2,148					37,968						24,569	24,569		13,399	13,399
Loans				207,227				205,516	1,711											360,537			359,561	976
Derivatives	133,827			229,127			547,605	1,684,884	9,516	(2,012,878)										133,827		39,794	1,991,520	17,205	(1,914,692)
Physical commodities				183,142				183,142												44,796			44,796
Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased				7,455,463			4,814,053	4,643,023	11,265	(2,012,878)										6,625,030		4,058,510	4,462,993	18,219	(1,914,692)
Obligation to return securities received as collateral																				45,133		45,133
Other secured financings																				33,025			30,000	3,025
Embedded conversion option																				7,336			7,336
Level 3 financial instruments for which the firm does not bear economic exposure									(53,289)
Level 3 financial instruments for which the firm bears economic exposure									$ 450,415