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Consolidated Condensed Schedule Of Investments (Financial Derivatives) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
contracts
Dec. 31, 2013
contracts
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset $ 80,029,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets [1] $ 59,664,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets [1]
Derivative Liabilities (66,116,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities [1] (44,791,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities [1]
Net cost 61,560,000efc_DerivativesCost 50,533,000efc_DerivativesCost
Net proceeds (33,555,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds (29,746,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
Eurodollar Future [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Future contract notional 1,000,000efc_FutureContractNotional
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_EurodollarFutureMember
1,000,000efc_FutureContractNotional
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_EurodollarFutureMember
Future contract 1efc_FutureContract
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_EurodollarFutureMember
1efc_FutureContract
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_EurodollarFutureMember
Long US Treasury Note Futures [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Number of contracts 1,346efc_Numberofcontracts
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongUSTreasuryNoteFuturesMember
1,847efc_Numberofcontracts
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongUSTreasuryNoteFuturesMember
Purchased Options on U.S. Treasury Futures [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Number of contracts 110efc_Numberofcontracts
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_PurchasedOptionsonFuturesMember
 
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 1,401,261,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
 
Derivative Asset 80,029,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3] 59,664,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4]
Investment owned as a percentage of equity 10.15%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[5] 9.53%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[5]
Net cost 61,560,000efc_DerivativesCost
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3] 50,533,000efc_DerivativesCost
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [2],[3],[6] Credit [2],[4],[7]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 3,734,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[6] 1,990,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[7]
Range of expiration dates   2037-12 [2],[4],[7]
Derivative Asset 61,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[6] 61,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[7]
Net proceeds (249,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[6] (217,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[7]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Indices [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2037-12 [2],[3],[6]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Indices [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2063-05 [2],[3],[6]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [2],[3],[6] Credit [2],[4],[8]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 311,983,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[6] 70,425,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[8]
Range of expiration dates   2018-12 [2],[4],[8]
Derivative Asset 35,865,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[6] 14,273,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[8]
Net cost 37,428,000efc_DerivativesCost
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[6] 13,248,000efc_DerivativesCost
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[8]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2017-12 [2],[3],[6]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2019-12 [2],[3],[6]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [2],[3],[9] Interest Rates [2],[4],[9]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 1,017,067,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[9] 153,100,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[9]
Derivative Asset 23,243,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[9] 1,978,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[9]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2016-07 [2],[3],[9] 2018-07 [2],[4],[9]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2044-12 [2],[3],[9] 2023-09 [2],[4],[9]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Equity Market [10],[2],[3] Equity Market [10],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 875,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[10],[2],[3] 3,044,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[10],[2],[4]
Range of expiration dates 2015-06 [10],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset 8,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[10],[2],[3] 4,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[10],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Total Return Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates   2014-06 [10],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Total Return Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates   2015-06 [10],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Securities [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [11],[2],[3] Credit [12],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount (17,691,000)us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[11],[2],[3] (23,426,000)us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[12],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset 11,387,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[11],[2],[3] 16,646,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[12],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2034-09 [11],[2],[3] 2034-09 [12],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2036-05 [11],[2],[3] 2036-05 [12],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [11],[2],[3] Credit [13],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount (50,981,000)us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[11],[2],[3] (72,422,000)us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[13],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset 1,820,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[11],[2],[3] 4,876,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[13],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Indices [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2046-05 [11],[2],[3] 2046-05 [13],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Indices [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2052-10 [11],[2],[3] 2063-05 [13],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [14],[2],[3] Interest Rates [14],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount (627,931,000)us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[14],[2],[3] (840,600,000)us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[14],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset 5,411,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[14],[2],[3] 21,575,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[14],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2016-10 [14],[2],[3] 2016-11 [14],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2044-12 [14],[2],[3] 2043-08 [14],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure   Equity Market [10],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount   (23,000)us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[10],[2],[4]
Range of expiration dates   2015-09 [10],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset   0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[10],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Swap [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset 77,795,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3] 59,413,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4]
Investment owned as a percentage of equity 9.87%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[5] 9.49%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[5]
Net cost 59,299,000efc_DerivativesCost
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3] 50,039,000efc_DerivativesCost
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long US Treasury Note Futures [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [15],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 109,300,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongUSTreasuryNoteFuturesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[15],[2],[3]  
Range of expiration dates 2015-03 [15],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset 162,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongUSTreasuryNoteFuturesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[15],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Long Eurodollar Future [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [16],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 11,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongEurodollarFutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[16],[2],[3]  
Range of expiration dates 2017-06 [16],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset 7,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongEurodollarFutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[16],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Eurodollar Future [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [16],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount (520,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortEurodollarFutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[16],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset 92,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortEurodollarFutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[16],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Eurodollar Future [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-09 [16],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Eurodollar Future [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2017-09 [16],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Futures [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset 261,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3]  
Investment owned as a percentage of equity 0.03%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[5]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Purchased Payer Swaption [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [17],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 822,800,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_PurchasedPayerSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[17],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset 344,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_PurchasedPayerSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[17],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Purchased Payer Swaption [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-01 [17],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Purchased Payer Swaption [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-06 [17],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Option on CDS on Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [18],[2],[3] Credit [18],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 364,400,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[18],[2],[3] 22,588,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[18],[2],[4]
Range of expiration dates   2014-06 [18],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset 625,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[18],[2],[3] 190,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[18],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Option on CDS on Corporate Bond Indices [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-01 [18],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Option on CDS on Corporate Bond Indices [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-03 [18],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Purchased Options on U.S. Treasury Futures [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [19],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 11,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_PurchasedOptionsonFuturesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[19],[2],[3]  
Derivative Asset 20,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_PurchasedOptionsonFuturesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[19],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Purchased Options on U.S. Treasury Futures [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-02 [19],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Purchased Options on U.S. Treasury Futures [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-03 [19],[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Options [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset 989,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3] 251,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4]
Investment owned as a percentage of equity 0.13%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[5] 0.04%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4],[5]
Net cost 2,161,000efc_DerivativesCost
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3] 494,000efc_DerivativesCost
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Short Currency Forward [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Currency [2],[20],[3]  
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount (35,849,000)us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCurrencyForwardMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[20],[3]  
Range of expiration dates 2015-03 [2],[20],[3]  
Derivative Asset 884,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCurrencyForwardMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[20],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Forwards [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset 884,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3]  
Investment owned as a percentage of equity 0.11%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[5]  
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Swaption [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure   Interest Rates [17],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount   15,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[17],[2],[4]
Range of expiration dates   2014-04 [17],[2],[4]
Derivative Asset   61,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[17],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member] | Warrant [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Equity Market [2],[20],[21]  
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 1,554,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[21],[3]  
Derivative Asset 100,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[21],[3]  
Investment owned as a percentage of equity 0.01%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3],[5]  
Net cost 100,000efc_DerivativesCost
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_WarrantMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
[2],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (973,998,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Derivative Liabilities (66,116,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3] (44,791,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4]
Investment owned as a percentage of equity (8.39%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[5] (7.16%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[5]
Net proceeds (33,555,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3] (29,746,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [2],[22],[3],[6] Credit [2],[4],[7]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount 17,113,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[6] 44,082,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[7]
Derivative Liabilities (4,248,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[6] (11,866,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[7]
Net proceeds (5,160,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[6] (14,331,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[7]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Indices [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2049-03 [2],[22],[3],[6] 2049-12 [2],[4],[7]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Indices [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2052-10 [2],[22],[3],[6] 2052-10 [2],[4],[7]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [2],[22],[3],[6] Credit [2],[4],[8]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount 3,756,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[6] 4,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[8]
Range of expiration dates 2017-12 [2],[22],[3],[6] 2017-12 [2],[4],[8]
Derivative Liabilities (1,231,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[6] (1,047,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[8]
Net proceeds (1,200,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[6] (1,200,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[8]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Corporate Bonds [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [2],[22],[3],[6]  
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount 4,428,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[6]  
Derivative Liabilities (2,706,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[6]  
Net proceeds (1,951,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCreditDefaultSwapOnCorporateBondsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[6]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Corporate Bonds [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2019-06 [2],[22],[3],[6]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Credit Default Swap On Corporate Bonds [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2019-12 [2],[22],[3],[6]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [2],[22],[3],[9] Interest Rates [2],[4],[9]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount 230,410,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[9] 234,600,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[9]
Derivative Liabilities (678,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[9] (2,857,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[9]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2016-10 [2],[22],[3],[9] 2017-10 [2],[4],[9]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2044-12 [2],[22],[3],[9] 2043-07 [2],[4],[9]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Equity Market [10],[2],[22],[3] Equity Market [10],[2],[4]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount 72,075,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[10],[2],[22],[3] 47,974,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[10],[2],[4]
Range of expiration dates   2015-06 [10],[2],[4]
Derivative Liabilities (21,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[10],[2],[22],[3] 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[10],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Total Return Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-01 [10],[2],[22],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Total Return Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2016-11 [10],[2],[22],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Securities [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [11],[2],[22],[3] Credit [12],[2],[4]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (3,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[11],[2],[22],[3] (3,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[12],[2],[4]
Range of expiration dates 2035-03 [11],[2],[22],[3] 2035-03 [12],[2],[4]
Derivative Liabilities (239,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[11],[2],[22],[3] (350,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[12],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Credit Default Swap On Asset Backed Indices [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [11],[2],[22],[3]  
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (20,050,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[11],[2],[22],[3]  
Range of expiration dates 2063-05 [11],[2],[22],[3]  
Derivative Liabilities (162,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapOnAssetBackedIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[11],[2],[22],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [11],[2],[22],[3] Credit [2],[23],[4]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (352,945,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[11],[2],[22],[3] (337,815,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[23],[4]
Derivative Liabilities (27,357,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[11],[2],[22],[3] (23,902,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapsOnCorporateBondIndicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[23],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2016-12 [11],[2],[22],[3] 2016-12 [2],[23],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Credit Default Swaps On Corporate Bond Indices [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2019-12 [11],[2],[22],[3] 2018-12 [2],[23],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Interest Rate Swaps [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [14],[2],[22],[3] Interest Rates [14],[2],[4]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (1,024,716,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[14],[2],[22],[3] (323,800,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[14],[2],[4]
Derivative Liabilities (28,727,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[14],[2],[22],[3] (2,207,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortInterestRateSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[14],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-03 [14],[2],[22],[3] 2015-03 [14],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2044-11 [14],[2],[22],[3] 2043-09 [14],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Total Return Swaps [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure   Equity Market [10],[2],[4]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount   (10,374,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[10],[2],[4]
Derivative Liabilities   (67,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortTotalReturnSwapsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[10],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Total Return Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates   2014-09 [10],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Total Return Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates   2015-09 [10],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Credit Default Swaps on Corporate Bonds [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [11],[2],[22],[3]  
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (5,970,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapsonCorporateBondsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[11],[2],[22],[3]  
Derivative Liabilities (247,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCreditDefaultSwapsonCorporateBondsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[11],[2],[22],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Credit Default Swaps on Corporate Bonds [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2019-09 [11],[2],[22],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Credit Default Swaps on Corporate Bonds [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2019-12 [11],[2],[22],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Swap [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Liabilities (65,616,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3] (42,296,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4]
Investment owned as a percentage of equity (8.32%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[5] (6.76%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[5]
Net proceeds (33,400,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3] (29,746,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_SwapMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long US Treasury Note Futures [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [15],[2],[22],[3] Interest Rates [2],[24],[4]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount 50,600,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongUSTreasuryNoteFuturesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[15],[2],[22],[3] 227,200,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongUSTreasuryNoteFuturesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[24],[4]
Range of expiration dates 2015-03 [15],[2],[22],[3] 2014-03 [2],[24],[4]
Derivative Liabilities (13,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongUSTreasuryNoteFuturesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[15],[2],[22],[3] (2,370,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongUSTreasuryNoteFuturesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[24],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Eurodollar Future [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [16],[2],[22],[3] Interest Rates [16],[2],[4]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (179,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortEurodollarFutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[16],[2],[22],[3] (14,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortEurodollarFutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[16],[2],[4]
Derivative Liabilities (68,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortEurodollarFutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[16],[2],[22],[3] (3,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortEurodollarFutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[16],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Eurodollar Future [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-03 [16],[2],[22],[3] 2014-03 [16],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Eurodollar Future [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Range of expiration dates 2015-06 [16],[2],[22],[3] 2015-09 [16],[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Futures [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Liabilities (81,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3] (2,373,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4]
Investment owned as a percentage of equity (0.01%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[5] (0.38%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_FutureMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[5]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Purchased Payer Swaption [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [17],[2],[22],[3]  
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount 260,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_PurchasedPayerSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[17],[2],[22],[3]  
Range of expiration dates 2015-03 [17],[2],[22],[3]  
Derivative Liabilities (137,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_PurchasedPayerSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[17],[2],[22],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Option on CDS on Corporate Bond Indices [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Credit [2],[22],[25],[3]  
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (25,900,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[25],[3]  
Range of expiration dates 2018-03 [2],[22],[25],[3]  
Derivative Liabilities (146,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[25],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Written Payer Swaption [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Interest Rates [2],[22],[26],[3]  
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (10,200,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_WrittenPayerSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[26],[3]  
Range of expiration dates 2015-01 [2],[22],[26],[3]  
Derivative Liabilities 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_WrittenPayerSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[26],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Options [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Liabilities (283,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3] (84,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4]
Investment owned as a percentage of equity (0.04%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[5] (0.01%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[5]
Net proceeds (155,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_OptionsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3]  
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Short Currency Forward [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Currency [2],[20],[22],[3] Currency [2],[4]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (117,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCurrencyForwardMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[20],[22],[3] (6,575,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCurrencyForwardMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4]
Range of expiration dates 2015-03 [2],[20],[22],[3] 2014-03 [2],[4]
Derivative Liabilities 0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCurrencyForwardMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[20],[22],[3] (38,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_ShortCurrencyForwardMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Forwards [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Liabilities (136,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3] (38,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4]
Investment owned as a percentage of equity (0.02%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[3],[5] (0.01%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[4],[5]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaption [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure   Interest Rates [2],[26],[4]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount   (4,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[26],[4]
Range of expiration dates   2014-04 [2],[26],[4]
Derivative Liabilities   (84,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwaptionMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[26],[4]
Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member] | Long Currency Forward [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Primary risk exposure Currency [2],[22],[27],[3]  
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount 9,518,000us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCurrencyForwardMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[27],[3]  
Range of expiration dates 2015-03 [2],[22],[27],[3]  
Derivative Liabilities (136,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= efc_LongCurrencyForwardMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
[2],[22],[27],[3]  
North America [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 1,401,261,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
 
Derivative Asset 80,029,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
 
Investment owned as a percentage of equity 10.15%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
 
Net cost 61,560,000efc_DerivativesCost
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
 
North America [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (936,799,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Derivative Liabilities (63,084,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Investment owned as a percentage of equity (8.00%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Net proceeds (30,598,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Europe [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Assets [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
 
Derivative Asset 0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
 
Investment owned as a percentage of equity 0.00%us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
 
Net cost 0efc_DerivativesCost
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
 
Europe [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount (37,199,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Derivative Liabilities (3,032,000)us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Investment owned as a percentage of equity (0.39%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Net proceeds $ (2,957,000)efc_DerivativesProceeds
/ invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
Affiliates of JP Morgan [Member] | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities [Member]    
Investment Holdings, Other than Securities [Line Items]    
Investment owned as a percentage of equity (5.18%)us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets
/ us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis
= efc_AffiliatesofJPMorganMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember
 
[1] In the Company's Consolidated Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Equity, all balances associated with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and financial derivatives are presented on a gross basis.
[2] See Note 2 and Note 3 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
[3] The following table details the breakout by geographical region of long investments, investments sold short, repurchase agreements, financial derivatives–assets, and financial derivatives–liabilities.Region Current Principal/Notional Value/Number of Properties/Number of Shares Cost/(Proceeds) Fair Value Percent ofEquityLong Investments: (In thousands, Expressed in U.S. Dollars) North America 2,863,057 $2,038,249 $2,092,959 264.46 %Europe 69,724 69,360 64,611 9.16 %North America (Private Corporate Investments) n/a 14,717 14,512 1.84 %Total $2,122,326 $2,172,082 275.46 %Investments Sold Short: North America (TBAs and Government Debt) (1,159,703) $(1,230,478) $(1,234,248) (156.53)%Europe (Government Debt) (28,118) (32,008) (30,606) (3.88)%North America (Common Stock) (2,986) (27,605) (26,516) (3.36)%Total $(1,290,091) $(1,291,370) (163.77)%Repurchase Agreements: North America 140,248 $140,248 $140,248 17.78 %Europe 31,753 31,753 31,753 4.03 %Total 172,001 $172,001 $172,001 21.81 %Financial Derivatives–Assets: North America 1,401,261 $61,560 $80,029 10.15 %Europe — — — — %Total 1,401,261 $61,560 $80,029 10.15 %Financial Derivatives–Liabilities: North America (936,799) $(30,598) $(63,084) (8.00)%Europe (37,199) (2,957) (3,032) (0.39)%Total (973,998) $(33,555) $(66,116) (8.39)%
[4] The following table details the breakout by geographical region of long investments, investments sold short, and repurchase agreements. All financial derivatives were concentrated in North America.Region Current Principal/Notional Value/Number of Shares Cost/(Proceeds) Fair Value Percent ofEquityLong Investments: (In thousands, Expressed in U.S. Dollars) North America 2,470,650 $1,682,533 $1,724,370 275.44 %Europe 7,641 5,724 5,760 0.92 %Total 2,478,291 $1,688,257 $1,730,130 276.36 %Investments Sold Short: North America (TBAs and Government Debt) (804,888) $(833,656) $(831,564) (132.82)%Europe (Government Debt) (7,337) (7,633) (7,681) (1.23)%North America (Common Stock) (763) (6,313) (6,369) (1.02)%Total $(847,602) $(845,614) (135.07)%Repurchase Agreements: North America 19,675 $19,675 $19,675 3.15 %Europe 8,287 8,268 8,287 1.32 %Total 27,962 $27,943 $27,962 4.47 %
[5] Classification percentages are based on Total Equity.
[6] For long credit default swaps, the Company sold protection.
[7] For long credit default swaps on asset-backed indices, the Company sold protection.
[8] For long credit default swaps on corporate bond indices, the Company sold protection.
[9] For long interest rate swap contracts, a floating rate is being paid and a fixed rate is being received.
[10] Notional value represents number of underlying shares times the closing price of the underlying security.
[11] For short credit default swaps, the Company purchased protection.
[12] For short credit default swaps on asset-backed securities, the Company purchased protection.
[13] For short credit default swaps on asset-backed indices, the Company purchased protection.
[14] For short interest rate swap contracts, a fixed rate is being paid and a floating rate is being received.
[15] Notional value represents the total face amount of U.S. Treasury Notes underlying all contracts held; as of December 31, 2014, 1,346 contracts were held.
[16] Every $1,000,000 in notional value represents one contract.
[17] Represents the option on the part of the Company to enter into an interest rate swap whereby the Company would pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate.
[18] Represents the option on the part of the Company to enter into a credit default swap on a corporate bond index whereby the Company would pay a fixed rate and receive credit protection payments.
[19] Represents the option on the part of the Company to enter into a futures contract with a counterparty; as of December 31, 2014, 110 contracts were held.
[20] Notional amount represents U.S. Dollars to be received by the Company at the maturity of the forward contract.
[21] Notional amount represents number of warrants.
[22] The following table shows the Company's swap liabilities by dealer as a percentage of Total Equity:Dealer/Parent Company Percent of EquityAffiliates of JP Morgan (5.18)%
[23] For short credit default swaps on corporate bond indices, the Company purchased protection.
[24] Notional value represents the total face amount of U.S. Treasury Notes underlying all contracts held; as of December 31, 2013 1,847 contracts were held.
[25] Represents the option on the part of a counterparty to enter into a credit default swap on a corporate bond index whereby the Company would receive a fixed rate and pay credit protection payments.
[26] Represents the option on the part of a counterparty to enter into an interest rate swap with the Company whereby the Company would receive a fixed rate and pay a floating rate.
[27] Notional amount represents U.S. Dollars to be paid by the Company at the maturity of the forward contract.