10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
Q	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012
or
o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-34516

Cowen Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	27-0423711 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
599 Lexington Avenue New York, New York (Address of Principal Executive Offices)	10022 (Zip Code)

(646) 562-1000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes Q    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  Q  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer Q Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o    No Q

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

As of November 7, 2012 there were 113,508,235 shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item No.			Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION			4
	1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		4
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	4
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	5
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	6
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity	7
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	8
		Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	9
	2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		48
	3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		77
	4. Controls and Procedures		77
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION			77
	1. Legal Proceedings		77
	1A. Risk Factors		78
	2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		78
	3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities		79
	4. Mine Safety Disclosures		79
	5. Other Information		79
	6. Exhibits		79
SIGNATURES			80
EXHIBIT INDEX			81

2

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

We have made statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including in “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”) that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking terms such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “intend,” “seek” or “continue,” the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology or similar expressions. In addition, our management may make forward-looking statements to analysts, representatives of the media and others. These forward-looking statements represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events (many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control) and are predictions only, based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In particular, you should consider the risks contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this filing to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are presented for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011. The Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2011 were audited.

3

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Cowen Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

	As of September 30,			As of December 31,
	2012			2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	55,776		$	128,875
Cash collateral pledged	9,269			9,785
Securities owned, at fair value	648,772			744,914
Securities purchased under agreement to resell	—			166,260
Other investments	70,151			59,943
Receivable from brokers	103,825			62,046
Fees receivable	22,113			22,297
Due from related parties	16,366			16,554
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $28,720 and $23,852, respectively	33,722			37,042
Goodwill	26,211			20,028
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $22,116 and $20,220, respectively	11,668			5,760
Other assets	23,192			26,620
Consolidated Funds
Cash and cash equivalents	1,892			297
Securities owned, at fair value	3,095			6,334
Other investments, at fair value	205,095			228,820
Other assets	372			263
Total Assets	$	1,231,519		$	1,535,838
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	$	210,705		$	334,251
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	123,839			228,783
Payable to brokers	203,250			213,360
Compensation payable	27,313			71,223
Short-term borrowings and other debt	4,516			5,650
Fees payable	4,972			5,503
Due to related parties	646			1,914
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	60,405			61,462
Consolidated Funds
Capital withdrawals payable	2,841			394
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,042			246
Total Liabilities	639,529			922,786
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Redeemable non-controlling interests	88,011			104,587
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding	—			—
Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 250,000,000 shares authorized, 123,583,040 shares issued and 113,962,889 outstanding as of September 30, 2012 and 119,393,640 shares issued and 114,047,637 outstanding as of December 31, 2011, respectively (including 420,276 and 576,892 restricted shares, respectively)	1,135			1,135
Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 250,000,000 authorized, no shares issued and outstanding	—			—
Additional paid-in capital	709,005			688,427
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(178,516		)	(163,980		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	161			(215		)
Less: Class A common stock held in treasury, at cost, 9,620,151 and 5,346,003 shares as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.	(27,806		)	(16,902		)
Total Stockholders' Equity	503,979			508,465
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	1,231,519		$	1,535,838

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Cowen Group, Inc.

CondensedConsolidated Statements of Operations

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Revenues
Investment banking	$	18,666		$	10,816		$	50,550		$	39,841
Brokerage	22,701			25,670			71,282			77,868
Management fees	8,866			14,778			28,515			37,799
Incentive income	1,416			(1,823		)	2,687			3,233
Interest and dividends	3,605			10,930			14,845			21,330
Reimbursement from affiliates	1,370			978			3,796			2,968
Other revenues	701			309			2,398			1,230
Consolidated Funds
Interest and dividends	24			138			115			443
Other revenues	249			163			359			171
Total revenues	57,598			61,959			174,547			184,883
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	47,322			43,651			137,102			132,313
Floor brokerage and trade execution	3,058			4,488			10,992			12,283
Interest and dividends	1,957			1,904			6,888			7,627
Professional, advisory and other fees	3,534			8,063			11,158			25,601
Service fees	2,807			3,815			8,198			11,792
Communications	4,522			3,636			11,775			10,872
Occupancy and equipment	5,808			6,225			16,594			17,523
Depreciation and amortization	2,427			2,421			6,945			6,490
Client services and business development	3,510			3,534			11,089			12,343
Other expenses	3,779			2,158			11,138			5,007
Consolidated Funds
Interest and dividends	2			51			22			137
Professional, advisory and other fees	263			1,002			1,112			2,075
Other expenses	65			82			205			423
Total expenses	79,054			81,030			233,218			244,486
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	12,510			(21,989		)	41,969			(4,631		)
Bargain purchase gain	—			—			—			22,244
Consolidated Funds
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and other transactions	(2,730		)	(3,181		)	817			4,133
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives	212			70			626			(456		)
Net gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions	9			313			(6		)	40
Total other income (loss)	10,001			(24,787		)	43,406			21,330
Income (loss) before income taxes	(11,455		)	(43,858		)	(15,265		)	(38,273		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	163			72			496			(17,720		)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(11,618		)	(43,930		)	(15,761		)	(20,553		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(5,087		)	—			(5,087		)
Net income (loss)	(11,618		)	(49,017		)	(15,761		)	(25,640		)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(1,033		)	(783		)	(1,225		)	2,473
Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	(10,585	)	$	(48,234	)	$	(14,536	)	$	(28,113	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	114,989			115,664			114,587			89,118
Diluted	114,989			115,664			114,587			89,118
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.26	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	—		$	(0.04	)	$	—		$	(0.06	)
Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.26	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	—		$	(0.04	)	$	—		$	(0.06	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Cowen Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012					Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Net income (loss)			$	(15,761	)					$	(25,640	)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation		126						(352	)
Defined benefit pension plans:
Prior service cost arising during the period	—					—
Net gain/(loss) arising during the period	235					(152	)
Add: amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost	15	250				15		(137	)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax			376							(489		)
Comprehensive income (loss)			$	(15,385	)					$	(26,129	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

Cowen Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

	Common Shares Outstanding		Common Stock		Treasury Stock			Additional Paid-in Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Retained Earnings/ (Accumulated deficit)			Total Stockholders' Equity			Redeemable Non-controlling Interest
Balance, December 31, 2011	114,047,637		$	1,135	$	(16,902	)	$	688,427	$	(215	)	$	(163,980	)	$	508,465		$	104,587
Net income (loss)	—		—		—			—		—			(14,536		)	(14,536		)	(1,225		)
Defined benefit plans	—		—		—			—		250			—			250			—
Foreign currency translation	—		—		—			—		126			—			126			—
Deconsolidation of funds	—		—		—			—		—			—			—			(17,104		)
Consolidation of funds	—		—		—			—		—			—			—			18,521
Capital withdrawals	—		—		—			—		—			—			—			(17,268		)
Capital contributions	—		—		—			—		—			—			—			500
Restricted stock awards issued	4,189,400		—		—			—		—			—			—			—
Purchase of treasury stock, at cost	(4,274,148	)	—		(10,904		)	—		—			—			(10,904		)	—
Amortization of share based compensation	—		—		—			20,578		—			—			20,578			—
Balance, September 30, 2012	113,962,889		$	1,135	$	(27,806	)	$	709,005	$	161		$	(178,516	)	$	503,979		$	88,011

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

Cowen Group, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (dollars in thousands) (unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(15,761	)	$	(20,553	)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(5,087		)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities:
Bargain purchase gain	—			(22,244		)
Depreciation and amortization	6,945			7,397
Share-based compensation	20,578			20,236
Deferred rent obligations	(1,316		)	(718		)
Purchases of securities owned, at fair value	(4,776,378		)	(6,750,192		)
Proceeds from sales of securities owned, at fair value	4,818,865			6,524,723
Proceeds from sales of securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	3,487,601			3,464,059
Payments to cover securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	(3,582,578		)	(3,246,988		)
Net (gains) losses on securities, derivatives and other investments	(33,576		)	11,239
Consolidated Funds
Purchases of securities owned, at fair value	(249,731		)	(368,933		)
Proceeds from sales of securities owned, at fair value	252,966			373,392
Purchases of other investments	(8,273		)	(15,108		)
Proceeds from sales of other investments	33,795			106,611
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on investments and other transactions	(2,718		)	(1,729		)
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Cash acquired upon transaction	—			117,496
Cash collateral pledged	516			(4		)
Securities owned, at fair value, held at broker dealer	56,796			95,813
Receivable from brokers	(41,779		)	68,075
Fees receivable	934			10,116
Due from related parties	188			2,154
Other assets	4,158			(16,960		)
Consolidated Funds
Cash and cash equivalents	(659		)	7,019
Other assets	1,290			475
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value, held at broker dealer	(13,086		)	(131,773		)
Payable to brokers	(10,110		)	169,558
Compensation payable	(46,323		)	(46,404		)
Fees payable	(587		)	(6,564		)
Due to related parties	(1,268		)	(7,705		)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(4,487		)	(611		)
Consolidated Funds
Due to related parties	25			—
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	777			(1,611		)
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities	$	(103,196	)	$	335,179
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(continued)	2012			2011
Cash flows from investing activities:
Securities purchased under agreement to resell	$	166,260		$	(140,394	)
Purchases of other investments	(4,291		)	(56,565		)
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired (See Note 2)	(10,063		)	—
Proceeds from sales of other investments	9,036			52,134
Purchase of fixed assets	(1,695		)	(5,786		)
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities	159,247			(150,611		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	(104,944		)	(53,328		)
Borrowings on short-term borrowings and other debt	—			493
Repayments on short-term borrowings and other debt	(1,134		)	(26,204		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(8,252		)	(8,228		)
Capital withdrawals to non-controlling interests in operating entities	(2,717		)	(2,009		)
Consolidated Funds
Capital contributions by non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds	—			4,038
Capital withdrawals to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds	(12,103		)	(52,164		)
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities	(129,150		)	(137,402		)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(73,099		)	47,166
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	128,875			36,354
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	55,776		$	83,520
Supplemental non-cash information
Purchase of treasury stock, at cost, upon close of acquisition (see Note 2)	$	—		$	1,906
Net assets acquired upon acquisition (net of cash) (See Note 2)	$	—		$	58,486
Non compete agreements and covenants with limiting conditions acquired (see Note 2)	$	—		$	2,310
Common stock issuance upon close of acquisition (see Note 2)	$	—		$	156,048
Purchase of treasury stock, at cost, through net settlement (See Note 16)	$	2,652		$	1,566
Net assets of consolidated entities	$	18,521		$	3,470
Net assets of deconsolidated entities	$	17,104		$	—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensedconsolidated financial statements.

8

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1. Organization and Business

Cowen Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation formed on June 1, 2009, is a diversified financial services firm and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “Cowen,” “Cowen Group” or the “Company”), provides alternative investment management, investment banking, research, market-making and sales and trading services through its two business segments: alternative investment and broker-dealer. The Company's alternative investment segment includes hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures funds, funds of funds, real estate, healthcare royalty funds, cash management services and mortgage advisory services offered primarily under the Ramius name. The broker-dealer segment offers research, brokerage and investment banking services to companies and institutional investor clients primarily in the healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, consumer, aerospace and defense, industrials, real estate investment trusts ("REITs") and alternative energy sectors, primarily under the Cowen name.

2. Acquisitions

Algorithmic Trading Management, LLC

On April 5, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding interests in ATM USA, LLC ("ATM USA"), Algorithmic Trading Management, LLC ("ATM LLC") and Algo Trading Management Inc. ("ATM INC") (collectively the “ATM Group”), a provider of global, multi-asset class algorithmic execution trading models. The acquisition was completed in accordance with the definitive sale and purchase agreement, entered into on January 13, 2012, as announced during the first quarter of 2012, for cash. In the aggregate, the purchase price, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were not significant and the near term impact to the Company and its consolidated results of operations and cash flows is not expected to be significant. Post acquisition, the ATM Group is included in the broker-dealer segment.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). As such, results of operations for the ATM Group are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations since the date of acquisition, and the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and the resulting goodwill were recorded at their fair values within their respective line item on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.

LaBranche & Co Inc.

The acquisition of LaBranche & Co Inc. ("LaBranche") by the Company was consummated after the market close on June 28, 2011. LaBranche's wholly owned subsidiary, Cowen Capital LLC (formerly LaBranche Capital LLC), is a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member firm that, prior to the operations being discontinued in the fourth quarter of 2011, operated as a market-maker in exchange traded funds ("ETFs"), engaged in hedging activities in options, ETFs, structured notes, foreign currency securities and futures related to its market-making operations and also conducted principal trading activities in these securities.

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each outstanding share of LaBranche was converted into 0.9980 shares of Cowen Class A common stock (the "Exchange Ratio"). The consideration received by LaBranche's shareholders was valued at approximately $156.0 million in the aggregate, based on the closing price of Cowen Class A common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market of $3.82 on June 28, 2011. This is based on 40,931,997 shares of LaBranche stock that were outstanding on the date of the completion of the acquisition.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with US GAAP. In this case, the acquisition was accounted for as an acquisition by Cowen of LaBranche. As such, results of operations for LaBranche are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations since the date of acquisition, and the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values. The fair value of Cowen shares issued to LaBranche shareholders was the purchase consideration for the acquisition. Based on the June 28, 2011 purchase price allocation, the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed amounted to $176.0 million (excluding $2.3 million non-compete agreements and covenants with limiting conditions acquired), exceeding the fair value of the purchase price of $156.0 million. As a result, the Company recognized a nonrecurring bargain purchase gain of approximately $22.2 million in the second quarter of 2011, which is included in other income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. As the purchase consideration (the Exchange Ratio) was determined based on the stock price of Cowen on June 28, 2011, the purchase price allocation based on the fair value of LaBranche's net assets at acquisition date reflected in these condensed consolidated financial statements has resulted in a

9

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

bargain purchase gain.

The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation of net tangible and intangible assets acquired as of June 28, 2011:

	(dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	117,496
Cash collateral pledged	1,127
Securities owned, at fair value	221,855
Other investments	2,569
Receivable from brokers	93,754
Fixed assets, net	8,804
Intangibles	2,770
Other assets	5,137
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	(175,391		)
Payable to brokers	(81,536		)
Compensation payable	(3,521		)
Fees payable	(969		)
Unfavorable lease	(3,388		)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(12,725		)
Total net assets acquired	$	175,982
Non compete agreements and covenants with limiting conditions acquired	2,310
Goodwill/(Bargain purchase gain) on transaction	(22,244		)
Total purchase price	$	156,048

The Company believes that all of the acquired receivables and contractual amounts receivable as reflected above in the allocation of the purchase price are recorded at fair value.

The Company recognized approximately $0.6 million and $2.9 million of acquisition-related costs, including legal, accounting, and valuation services, for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2011, respectively. These costs are included in professional, advisory and other fees and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the subsidiaries acquired through the LaBranche acquisition were discontinued (See Note 4). As a result, no unaudited supplemental proforma information is presented.

3. Significant Accounting Policies

a. Basis of presentation

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) related to interim financial statements. Results for interim periods should not be considered indicative of results for any other interim period or for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, included in the Form 10-K of Cowen Group as filed with the SEC on March 9, 2012. The financial information contained herein is unaudited; however, management believes all adjustments have been made that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by US GAAP. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain fund entities that are consolidated in these condensed consolidated financial statements, as further discussed below, are not subject to these consolidation provisions with respect to their own investments pursuant to their specialized accounting.

The Company serves as the managing member/general partner and/or investment manager to affiliated fund entities which it sponsors and manages. Funds in which the Company has a controlling financial interest are consolidated with the Company pursuant to US GAAP as described below. Consequently, the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of these funds on a gross basis. The ownership interests in these funds that are not owned by the Company are reflected as redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The management fees and incentive income earned by the Company from these funds are eliminated in consolidation.

10

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

b. Principles of consolidation

The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting operating entity ("VOE") or a variable interest entity ("VIE") under US GAAP.

Voting Operating Entities—VOEs are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders at risk have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance. VOEs are consolidated in accordance with US GAAP.

Under US GAAP, the usual condition for a controlling financial interest in a VOE is ownership of a majority voting interest. Accordingly, the Company consolidates VOEs in which it owns a majority of the entity's voting shares or units. US GAAP also provides that a general partner of a limited partnership (or a managing member, in the case of a limited liability company) is presumed to control the partnership, and thus should consolidate it, unless a simple majority of the limited partners has the right to remove the general partner without cause or to terminate the partnership. In accordance with these standards, the Company presently consolidatessevenfunds deemed to be VOEs for which it acts as the general partner and investment manager.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company consolidates the following funds (the “2012 Consolidated Funds”): Ramius Enterprise LP (“Enterprise LP”), Ramius Multi‑Strategy Master FOF LP (“Multi‑Strat Master FOF”), Ramius Vintage Multi‑Strategy Master FOF LP (“Vintage Master FOF”), Ramius Levered Multi‑Strategy FOF LP (“Levered FOF”), and RTS Global 3X Fund LP (“RTS Global 3X”). As of December 31, 2011, the Company consolidated the following funds (the “2011 Consolidated Funds”): Enterprise LP, Ramius Multi‑Strategy FOF LP (“Multi‑Strat FOF”), Ramius Vintage Multi‑Strategy FOF LP (“Vintage FOF”), Levered FOF and RTS Global 3X. Effective January 1, 2012, Multi-Strat FOF and Vintage FOF collapsed their operations into their respective master funds, Multi-Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF due to a winding down decision earlier adopted by the Boards of Directors of the respective funds. This resulted in the Company's voting shares or units being held directly at the master funds level and thus consolidating them. Collectively the 2012 Consolidated Funds and the 2011 Consolidated Funds are referred to as the Consolidated Funds.

The Company also consolidates RCG Linkem II LLC, an investment company that was formed to make an investment in a wireless broadband communication provider in Italy, and Cowen Bluebird LLC, an investment company that was formed to make an investment in a company which works on the development of innovative gene therapies for severe genetic disorders. The Company determined that RCG Linkem II LLC and Cowen Bluebird LLC are VOE's due to its controlling equity interests held through the managing member and/or affiliates, and control exercised by the managing member who is not subject to substantive removal rights.

Variable Interest Entities—VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a VOE. In accordance with US GAAP, an enterprise must consolidate all VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. Under the US GAAP consolidation model for VIEs, an enterprise that (1) has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impacts the VIE's economic performance, and (2) has an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and thus is required to consolidate it.

However, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has deferred the application of the revised consolidation model for VIEs that meet the following conditions: (a) the entity has all the attributes of an investment company as defined under AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, or does not have all the attributes of an investment company but is an entity for which it is acceptable based on industry practice to apply measurement principles that are consistent with investment companies, (b) the reporting entity does not have explicit or implicit obligations to fund any losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity, and (c) the entity is not a securitization entity, asset‑backed financing entity or an entity that was formerly considered a qualifying special‑purpose entity. The Company's involvement with its funds is such that allthreeof the above conditions are met. Where the VIEs have qualified for the deferral, the analysis is based on previous consolidation rules. These rules require an analysis to (a) determine whether an entity in which the Company holds a variable interest is a variable interest entity and (b) whether the Company's involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (e.g., management and performance related fees), would be expected to absorb a majority of the VIE's expected losses, receive a majority of the VIEs expected residual returns, or both. If these conditions are met, the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and thus is required to consolidate it. Under both guidelines, the Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a variable interest entity and reconsiders that conclusion on a periodic basis.

11

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by performing a periodic qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of the VIE that includes a review of, among other things, its capital structure, contractual agreements between the Company and the VIE, the economic interests that create or absorb variability, related party relationships and the design of the VIE. As of September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the Company does not consolidate any VIEs.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company holds a variable interest in Ramius Enterprise Master Fund Ltd (“Enterprise Master”) (the “2012 Unconsolidated Master Fund”) throughoneof its Consolidated Funds, Enterprise LP. As of December 31, 2011, the Company held a variable interest in Enterprise Master, Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF (the “2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds”) throughthreeof its Consolidated Funds: Enterprise LP, Multi‑Strat FOF and Vintage FOF (the “2011 Consolidated Feeder Funds”), respectively. Investment companies, which account for their investments under the specialized industry accounting guidance for investment companies prescribed under US GAAP, are not subject to the consolidation provisions for their investments. Therefore, the Company has not consolidated the 2012 or 2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds. Collectively the 2012 Unconsolidated Master Funds and the 2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds are referred to as the Unconsolidated Master Funds.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company also sponsors various other entities that it has determined to be VIEs. These VIEs are primarily funds and real estate entities for which the Company serves as the general partner, managing member and/or investment manager with decision-making rights.

The Company does not consolidate any of these funds or real estate entities that are VIEs as it has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary in each instance. Fund investors are entitled to all of the economics of these VIEs with the exception of the management fee and incentive income, if any, earned by the Company. The Company's involvement with funds and real estate entities that are unconsolidated VIEs is limited to providing investment management services in exchange for management fees and incentive income. Although the Company may advance amounts and pay certain expenses on behalf of the funds and real estate entities that it considers to be VIEs, it does not provide, nor is it required to provide, any type of substantive financial support to these entities outside of regular investment management services.

The total assets and liabilities of the variable interest entities for which the Company has concluded that it holds a variable interest, but for which it is not the primary beneficiary, are$217.2 millionand$1.7 millionas of September 30, 2012and$259.2 millionand$2.0 millionas ofDecember 31, 2011, respectively. In addition, the maximum exposure relating to these variable interest entities as ofSeptember 30, 2012was$175.4 million, and as ofDecember 31, 2011was$211.0 million, all of which is included in other investments, at fair value in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The exposure to loss primarily relates to the respective 2012 or 2011 Consolidated Feeder Funds' investment in their respective 2012 or 2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds as ofSeptember 30, 2012and December 31, 2011. See Note 6 for further information regarding the Company's investments.

Equity Method Investments—For operating entities over which the Company exercises significant influence but which do not meet the requirements for consolidation as outlined above, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. The Company's investments in equity method investees are recorded in other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company's share of earnings or losses from equity method investees is included in net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Company evaluates for impairment its equity method investments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. The difference between the carrying value of the equity method investment and its estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment charge when the loss in value is deemed other than temporary.

Other—If the Company does not consolidate an entity, apply the equity method of accounting or account for an investment under the cost method, the Company accounts for all securities which are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term as trading securities in accordance with US GAAP, at fair value with unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Retention of Specialized Accounting—The Consolidated Funds are investment companies and apply specialized industry accounting for investment companies. The Company has retained this specialized accounting for these funds pursuant to US GAAP. The Consolidated Funds report their investments on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at their estimated fair value, with unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and other transactions. Accordingly, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect different accounting policies for investments depending on whether or not they are held through a

12

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

consolidated investment company. In addition, the Company's broker‑dealer subsidiaries, Cowen and Company, LLC (“Cowen and Company”), Cowen Capital LLC, Cowen International Limited ("CIL"), Cowen International Trading Limited (“CITL”), Cowen and Company (Asia) Limited (“CCAL”), and Cowen Structured Products Hong Kong Limited (“CSPH”), apply the specialized industry accounting for brokers and dealers in securities also prescribed under US GAAP. The Company also has retained this specialized accounting in consolidation.

c. Use of estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of securities and other investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, the accounting for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to conform with current period presentation.

d. Valuation of investments and derivative contracts

US GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). Thethreelevels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has

the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2     Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including

inputs in markets that are not considered to be active; and

Level 3 Fair value is determined based on pricing inputs that are unobservable and includes situations where there is little,

if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The determination of fair value for assets and liabilities in this

category requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Inputs are used in applying the various valuation techniques and broadly refer to the assumptions that market participants use to make valuation decisions, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may include price information, volatility statistics, specific and broad credit data, liquidity statistics, and other factors. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. However, the determination of what constitutes “observable” requires significant judgment by the Company. The Company considers observable data to be that market data which is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market. The categorization of a financial instrument within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the instrument and does not necessarily correspond to the Company's perceived risk of that instrument.

The Company and its operating company subsidiaries act as the manager for the Consolidated Funds. Both the Company and the Consolidated Funds hold certain investments which are valued by the Company, acting as the investment manager. The fair value of these investments is generally estimated based on proprietary models developed by the Company, which include discounted cash flow analysis, public market comparables, and other techniques and may be based, at least in part, on independently sourced market information. The material estimates and assumptions used in these models include the timing and expected amount of cash flows, the appropriateness of discount rates used, and, in some cases, the ability to execute, timing of, and estimated proceeds from expected financings. Significant judgment and estimation goes into the selection of an appropriate valuation methodology as well as the assumptions used in these models, and the timing and actual values realized with respect to investments could be materially different from values derived based on the use of those estimates. The valuation methodologies applied impact the reported value of the Company's investments and the investments held by the Consolidated Funds in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Certain of the Company's investments are relatively illiquid or thinly traded and may not be immediately liquidated on demand if needed. Fair values assigned to these investments may differ significantly from the fair values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed and such differences could be material.

The Company primarily uses the “market approach” to value its financial instruments measured at fair value. In determining an instrument's level within the hierarchy, the Company separates the Company's financial instruments intothree

13

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

categories: securities, derivative contracts and other investments. To the extent applicable, each of these categories can further be divided between those held long or sold short.

Securities—Securities whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, and are therefore classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, include active listed equities, certain U.S. government and sovereign obligations, ETF's and certain money market securities. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Certain positions for which there is a limited market, consisting primarily of convertible debt, corporate debt and loans, are stated at fair value. The estimated fair values assigned by management are determined in good faith and are based on available information considering, among other things, quotations provided by published pricing services, counterparties and other market participants, and pricing models using quoted inputs, and do not necessarily represent the amounts which might ultimately be realized. Such positions that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources which are supported by observable inputs are classified within level 2. As level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets and/or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability.

Derivative contracts—Derivative contracts can be exchange‑traded or privately negotiated over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange‑traded derivatives, such as futures contracts and exchange traded option contracts, are typically classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether or not they are deemed to be actively traded. OTC derivatives, such as generic forwards, swaps and options, have inputs which can generally be corroborated by market data and are therefore classified within level 2. Futures, equity swaps and credit default swaps are included within other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and all other derivatives are included within securities owned, at fair value on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Other investments—Other investments consist primarily of portfolio funds, real estate investments and equity method investments, which are valued as follows:

i. Portfolio funds—Portfolio funds (“Portfolio Funds”) include interests in funds and investment companies managed by the Company or its affiliates. The Company follows US GAAP regarding fair value measurements and disclosures relating to investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent). The guidance permits, as a practical expedient, an entity holding investments in certain entities that either are investment companies as defined by the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, or have attributes similar to an investment company, and calculate net asset value per share or its equivalent for which the fair value is not readily determinable, to measure the fair value of such investments on the basis of that NAV per share, or its equivalent, without adjustment.

The Company categorizes its investments in Portfolio Funds within the fair value hierarchy dependent on its ability to redeem the investment. If the Company has the ability to redeem its investment at NAV at the measurement date or within the near term, the Portfolio Fund is categorized as a level 2 investment within the fair value hierarchy. If the Company does not know when it will have the ability to redeem its investment or cannot do so in the near term, the Portfolio Fund is categorized as a level 3 investment within the fair value hierarchy.See Notes 6 and 7 for further details of the Company's investments in Portfolio Funds.

ii. Real estate investments—Real estate investments are valued at fair value. The fair value of real estate investments are estimated based on the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between marketplace participants at the measurement date. Real estate investments without a public market are valued based on assumptions and valuation techniques used by the Company. Such valuation techniques may include discounted cash flow analysis, prevailing market capitalization rates or earnings multiples applied to earnings from the investment, analysis of recent comparable sales transactions, actual sale negotiations and bona fide purchase offers received from third parties, consideration of the amount that currently would be required to replace the asset, as adjusted for obsolescence, as well as independent external appraisals. In general, the Company considers several valuation techniques when measuring the fair value of a real estate investment. However, in certain circumstances, a single valuation technique may be appropriate. Real estate investments are reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Company for significant changes at the property level or a significant change in the overall market which would impact the value of the real estate investment resulting in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

The Company also reflects its real estate equity investments net of investment level financing. Valuation adjustments attributable to underlying financing arrangements are considered in the real estate equity valuation based on amounts

14

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

at which the financing liabilities could be transferred to market participants at the measurement date.

Real estate and capital markets are cyclical in nature. Property and investment values are affected by, among other things, the availability of capital, occupancy rates, rental rates and interest and inflation rates. In addition, the Company invests in real estate and real estate related investments for which no liquid market exists. The market prices for such investments may be volatile and may not be readily ascertainable. Amounts ultimately realized by the Company from investments sold may differ from the fair values presented, and the differences could be material.

The Company's real estate investments are typically categorized as a level 3 investment within the fair value hierarchy as management uses significant unobservable inputs in determining their estimated fair value.

See Notes 6 and 7 for further information regarding the Company's investments, including equity method investments, and fair value measurements.

e. Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

The Company uses securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“Repurchase Agreements”) as part of its liquidity management activities and to support its trading and risk management activities. In particular, securities purchased and sold under Repurchase Agreements are used for short-term liquidity purposes. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 Repurchase Agreements are secured predominantly by liquid corporate credit and/or government issued securities. The use of Repurchase Agreements will fluctuate with the Company's need to fund short term credit or obtain competitive short term credit financing. The Company's securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were transacted pursuant to agreements with multiple counterparties as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Collateral is valued daily and the Company and its counterparties may adjust the collateral or require additional collateral to be deposited when appropriate. Collateral held by counterparties may be sold or re-hypothecated by such counterparties, subject to certain limitations sometimes imposed by the Company. Collateralized Repurchase Agreements may result in credit exposure in the event the counterparties to the transactions are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. The Company minimizes the credit risk associated with this activity by monitoring credit exposure and collateral values, and by requiring additional collateral to be promptly deposited with or returned to the Company when deemed necessary.

f.    Deferred Rent

Deferred rent primarily consists of step rent, allowances from landlords and valuing the Company's lease properties in accordance with US GAAP. Step rent represents the difference between actual operating lease payments due and straight-line rent expense, which is recorded by the Company over the term of the lease, including the build-out period. This amount is recorded as deferred rent in the early years of the lease, when cash payments are generally lower than straight-line rent expense, and reduced in the later years of the lease when payments begin to exceed the straight-line expense. Landlord allowances are generally comprised of amounts received and/or promised to the Company by landlords and may be received in the form of cash or free rent. These allowances are part of the negotiated terms of the lease. The Company recorded a receivable from the landlord and a deferred rent liability when the allowances are earned. This deferred rent is amortized into income (through lower rent expense) over the term (including the pre-opening build-out period) of the applicable lease, and the receivable is reduced as amounts are received from the landlord. Liabilities resulting from valuing the Company's leased properties acquired through business combinations are quantified by comparing the current fair value of the leased space to the current rental payments on the date of acquisition. Deferred rent, included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is $14.0 million and $15.3 million, respectively.

g.    New accounting pronouncements

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In July 2012, the FASB issued guidance for testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. The guidance permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset, other than goodwill, is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. The update does not revise the requirement to test indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment, or more frequently if deemed appropriate. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim tests performed for fiscal years

15

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that this update will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In December 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance which will enhance disclosures required by US GAAP by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (1) offset or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset. This information will enable users of an entity's financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity's financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with certain financial instruments and derivative instruments. An entity is required to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Company already discloses the derivative transactions and repurchase / resale agreements on a gross basis on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and is currently evaluating the impact of the other disclosure requirements required under the amended guidance.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance clarifying how to measure fair value and requires additional disclosures regarding fair value measurements. The amendments, among other things, prohibit the use of blockage factors at all levels of the fair value hierarchy, provide guidance on measuring financial instruments that are managed on a net portfolio basis, and clarify guidance on the application of premiums and discounts in measuring fair value. Additional disclosure requirements include the disclosure of transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, and for Level 3, fair value measurements, a description of the valuation processes and additional information regarding unobservable inputs affecting Level 3 measurements. The amendments were effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2012. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to present the components of net income, the components of other comprehensive income and the total of comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In addition, in December 2011, the FASB issued additional guidance which indefinitely deferred the provision that requires the entity to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented. The adoption of these amendments did not have any impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows since the changes are limited to presentation of other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance simplifying how entities test goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to assess qualitative factors in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under US GAAP. This was effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2012. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have any impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

4. Discontinued Operations

The subsidiaries acquired through the LaBranche acquisition (see Note 2) met the criteria of discontinued operations under US GAAP because the operations and cash flows of these subsidiaries can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the Company. As a result of these subsidiaries not meeting the Company's expectations as to their results of operations and not generating positive cash flows, the Company decided, during the fourth quarter of 2011, to exit the business operated by these subsidiaries. The subsidiaries comprised of market making operations for exchange traded funds in the US, Europe and Asia which were included in the broker-dealer segment. The results of operations and cash flows for these subsidiaries were eliminated from the Company's ongoing operations and the Company has no continuing involvement in these operations. In accordance with US GAAP the Company reclassified and reported the results of operations related to these subsidiaries in discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

The results of operations related to the Company's discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are summarized below:

16

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

	Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Total revenues, net of interest expense	$	869
Loss from discontinued operations	(5,087		)
Income tax expense/(benefit)	—
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(5,087		)

5. Cash collateral pledged

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, cash collateral pledged in the amount of $9.3 million and$9.8 million, respectively, primarily relates to (a) a bond held as collateral on a letter of credit and (b) letters of credit issued to the landlord of the Company's premises in New York City (see Note 14).

6. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

a. Operating Entities

Securities owned, at fair value

Securities owned are held by the Company and considered held for trading and carried at fair value. Substantially all equity securities and options are pledged to the clearing broker under terms which permit the clearing broker to sell or re-pledge the securities to others subject to certain limitations.

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, securities owned, at fair value consisted of the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government securities (a)	$	95,038	$	182,868
Common stocks	300,990		250,380
Convertible bonds (b)	50,854		18,130
Corporate bonds (c)	168,021		231,864
Options	26,543		55,699
Warrants and rights	4,436		2,759
Mutual funds	2,890		3,214
	$	648,772	$	744,914

(a) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from November 2013 to August 2014 with interest rate of 0.25%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from November 2013 to November 2021 and interest rates ranged between 0.25% and 8%.

(b) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from October 2014 to June 2017 and interest rates ranged between 1.38% and 5.75%. As of December 31, 2011, the maturity was August 2027 with an interest rate of 2.75%.

(c) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from January 2013 to February 2041 and interest rates ranged between 4.52% and 13.50%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from January 2012 to February 2041 and interest rates ranged between 3.13% and 13.50%.

The Company's direct involvement with derivative financial instruments includes credit default swaps, futures, equity swaps, options and warrants and rights. Open equity positions in futures transactions are recorded as receivables from and payables to broker‑dealers or clearing brokers, as applicable. The Company's derivatives trading activities exposes the Company to certain risks, such as price and interest rate fluctuations, volatility risk, credit risk, counterparty risk, foreign currency movements and changes in the liquidity of markets. The Company's overall exposure to financial derivatives is limited. The Company's long exposure to futures, equity swaps and currency forward derivative contracts, at fair value, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 of $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, is included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company's short exposure to futures, equity swap and currency forward derivative contracts, at fair value, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 of $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to derivatives trading activities for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, and 2011 were $1.3 million and $0.8 million and for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 were $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and are included in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

17

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Pursuant to the various derivatives transactions discussed above, the Company is required to post collateral for its obligations or potential obligations. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, collateral consisting of $11.0 million and $8.1 million of cash, respectively, is included in receivable from brokers on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 all derivative contracts were with multiple major financial institutions.

Other investments

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, other investments consisted of the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
(1) Portfolio Funds, at fair value	$	47,287	$	40,350
(2) Real estate investments, at fair value	2,102		2,353
(3) Equity method investments	20,001		16,687
(4) Lehman claims, at fair value	761		553
	$	70,151	$	59,943

(1) Portfolio Funds, at fair value

The Portfolio Funds, at fair value as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, included the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Healthcare Royalty Partners (a)(*)	$	8,119	$	6,297
Healthcare Royalty Partners II (a)(*)	2,617		1,521
Ramius Global Credit Fund LP (b)(*)	13,600		11,790
Ramius Alternative Replication Ltd (c)(*)	831		837
Tapestry Investment Co PCC Ltd (d)	193		185
Ramius Enhanced Replication Fund LLC (e)(*)	708		337
Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP (f)(*)	12,246		11,123
RCG LV Park Lane LLC (g)	700		—
Other private investment (h)	7,413		7,415
Other affiliated funds (i)(*)	860		845
	$	47,287	$	40,350

* These portfolio funds are affiliates of the Company

The Company has no unfunded commitments regarding the portfolio funds held by the Company except as noted for Healthcare Royalty Partners (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners), Healthcare Royalty Partners II (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners II) and Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP in Note 14.

(a) Healthcare Royalty Partners and Healthcare Royalty Partners II are private equity funds and therefore redemptions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.

(b) Ramius Global Credit Fund LP has a quarterly redemption policy with a 60 day notice period and a 4% penalty on redemptions of investments of less than a year in duration.

(c) Ramius Alternative Replication Ltd has monthly redemption policy with a seven day notice period.

(d) Tapestry Investment Company PCC Ltd is in the process of liquidation and redemptions will be made periodically at the investment managers' decision as the underlying investments are liquidated.

(e) Ramius Enhanced Replication Fund LLC has monthly redemption policy with a seven day notice period.

(f) Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP permits quarterly withdrawals upon ninety days notice.

(g) RCG LV Park Lane LLC  is single purpose entity formed to participate in a joint venture which acquired, at a discount, the mortgage notes on a portfolio of multifamily real estate properties located in Birmingham, Alabama. 

18

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

RCG LV Park Lane is a private equity structure and therefore distributions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.

(h) Other private investment represents the Company's closed end investment in an investment company, which was formed to make an investment in a wireless broadband communication provider in Italy.

(i) The majority of these funds are real estate fund affiliates of the Company or are managed by the Company and the investors can redeem from these funds as investments are liquidated.

(2) Real estate investments, at fair value

Real estate investments as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are carried at fair value and include real estate equity investments held by RCG RE Manager, LLC (“RE Manager”), a real estate operating subsidiary of the Company, of $1.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and real estate debt investments held by the Company of $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

(3) Equity method investments

Equity method investments include investments held by the Company in several operating companies whose operations primarily include the day to day management of a number of real estate funds, including the portfolio management and administrative services related to the acquisition, disposition, and active monitoring of the real estate funds' underlying debt and equity investments. The Company's ownership interests in these equity method investments range from 30% to 55%. The Company holds a majority of the outstanding ownership interest (i.e., more than 50%) in three of these entities: RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Management, LLC, RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Partners, LLC and RCG Longview Partners II, LLC. The operating agreements that govern the management of day-to-day operations and affairs of each of these three entities stipulate that certain decisions require support and approval from other members in addition to the support and approval of the Company. As a result, all operating decisions made in these three entities require the support of both the Company and an affirmative vote of a majority of the other managing members who are not affiliates of the Company. As the Company does not possess control over any of these entities, the presumption of consolidation has been overcome pursuant to current accounting standards and the Company accounts for these investments under the equity method of accounting. Also included in equity method investments is the investment in (a) Healthcare Royalty Partners General Partners, (b) an investment in the CBOE (Chicago Board Options Exchange) Stock Exchange LLC representing a 9.7% stake in the exchange service provider for which the Company exercises significant influence over through representation on the CBOE Board of Directors, and (c) Starboard Value LP (and certain related parties) which serves as an operating company whose operations primarily include the day to day management (including portfolio management) of a deep value small cap hedge fund and related managed accounts. The following table summarizes equity method investments held by the Company:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Management, LLC	$	1,490	$	1,980
Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC)	662		513
Healthcare Royalty GP II, LLC (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty GP II, LLC)	443		258
CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC	2,165		2,423
Starboard Value LP	7,651		3,693
RCG Longview Partners, LLC	1,698		1,569
RCG Longview Louisiana Manager, LLC	1,490		1,140
RCG Urban American, LLC	1,347		1,258
RCG Urban American Management, LLC	538		1,096
RCG Longview Equity Management, LLC	226		557
Urban American Real Estate Fund II, L.P.	1,564		1,541
RCG Kennedy House, LLC	396		323
Other	331		336
	$	20,001	$	16,687

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company's share of losses in its equity method investment in RCG Longview Partners II, LLC has exceeded the carrying amount recorded in this investee. RCG Longview Partners II, LLC, as general partner to a real estate fund, has reversed previously recorded incentive income allocations and has recorded a current

19

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

clawback obligation to the limited partners in the fund. This obligation is due to a change in unrealized value of the fund on which there have previously been distributed carried interest realizations; however, the settlement of a potential obligation is not due until the end of the life of the respective fund. As the Company is obligated to return previous distributions it received from RCG Longview Partners II, LLC, it has continued to record its share of gains/losses in the investee including reflecting its share of the clawback obligation in the amount of $6.2 million. All such amounts are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

The Company's income (loss) from equity method investments was $1.5 million and $0.5 million, for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and was $9.4 million and $2.9 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and is included in net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company recorded no impairment charges in relation to its equity method investments for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

For the period ended September 30, 2012 an equity method investment held by the Company has exceeded the 20% threshold for the income test required under SEC guidance. As such, the Company is required to present summarized income statement information for this significant investee for the current period. The summarized income statement information for the Company's investment in the individually significant investee is as follows:

		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues		$	5,877		$	232
Expenses		(588		)	105
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)		73			(21		)
Net Income		$	5,362		$	316

(4) Lehman Claims, at fair value

Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (“LBIE”), through certain affiliates, was a prime broker to the Company, and the Company held cash and cash equivalent balances with LBIE. On September 15, 2008, LBIE was placed into administration (the “Administration”) in the United Kingdom and, as a result, the assets held by the Company in its LBIE accounts were frozen at LBIE. The status and ultimate resolution of the assets under LBIE's Administration proceedings is uncertain. The assets of the Company at LBIE at the time of Administration (the “Total Net Equity Claim”) consist of $1.0 million, which the Company believes will represent an unsecured claim against LBIE. On November 2, 2012, the Company executed a Claims Determination Deed with respect to this claim.  By entering into this deed, the Company and LBIE reached agreement on the amount of the Company's unsecured claim, which was agreed to be approximately $0.9 million.  As a result of entering into this deed, the Company will be entitled to participate in the first dividend to unsecured creditors of LBIE, which is expected to be paid before the end of the year, though the amount of that dividend has not yet been determined. This does not include claims held by the Company against LBIE through its investment in Enterprise Master discussed in Note 6b(2). There can be no assurance that the Total Net Equity Claim value, as determined by the Company, will be accepted by the Administrators, nor does the Company know the manner and timing in which such claim will be satisfied and the ultimate value that will be received.

Given the degree of uncertainty as to the status of the assets held at LBIE and the process and prospects of the return of those assets, the Company has decided to record the estimated fair value of the Total Net Equity Claim at an approximately 27% discount as of September 30, 2012 and a 47% discount as of December 31, 2011, which represents management's best estimate at the respective dates of the value that ultimately may be recovered with respect to the Total Net Equity Claim (the “Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim”). The Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim was recorded at estimated fair value considering a number of factors including the status of the assets under U.K. insolvency laws and the trading levels of LBIE unsecured debt. In determining the estimated value of the Total Net Equity Claim, the Company was required to use considerable judgment and is based on the facts currently available. As additional information on the LBIE proceeding becomes available, the Company may need to adjust the valuation of the Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim. The actual loss that may ultimately be incurred by the Company with respect to the pending LBIE claim is not known and could be materially different from the estimated value assigned by the Company. (See Note 6b(2)).

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value represent obligations of the Company to deliver a specified security at a

20

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

contracted price and, thereby, create a liability to purchase that security at prevailing prices. The Company's liability for securities to be delivered is measured at their fair value as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements. However, these transactions result in off-balance sheet risk, as the Company's ultimate cost to satisfy the delivery of securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value may exceed the amount reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Substantially all equity securities and options are pledged to the clearing broker under terms which permit the clearing broker to sell or re-pledge the securities to others subject to certain limitations. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value consisted of the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government securities (a)	$	8	$	165,197
Common stocks	195,911		123,877
Corporate bonds (b)	61		1,529
Options	14,725		43,648
	$	210,705	$	334,251

(a) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from April 2016 to January 2040 and interest rates ranged between 5.95% and 7.41%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from September 2013 to January 2040 and interest rates ranged between 0.13% and 7.41%.

(b) As of September 30, 2012, the maturity was January 2026 with an interest rate of 5.55%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from December 2016 to January 2026 and interest rates ranged between 5.55% and 9.50%.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

The following table represents the Company's securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

	As of September 30, 2012
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Agreements with Royal Bank of Canada bearing interest of 2.12% - 2.2% due on October 2, 2012 to June 25, 2013	29,039
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of 0.25% - 0.27% due on October 1, 2012	94,800
	$	123,839

	As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of (0.38%) - 0.25% due on January 3, 2012	$	166,260
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Agreements with Royal Bank of Canada bearing interest of 1.53% - 1.58% due on January 3, 2012 to June 25, 2012	49,450
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of 0.03% - 0.08% due on January 3, 2012	179,333
	$	228,783

For all of the Company's holdings of Repurchase Agreements as of September 30, 2012, the repurchase dates are open and the agreement can be terminated by either party at any time. The agreements rolls over on a day-to-day basis.

Transactions involving purchases of securities under agreements to resell are carried at their contract value which approximates fair value. These fair value measurement would be categorized as level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. As of September 30, 2012 the Company held no collateral. As of December 31, 2011, the fair value of the collateral received by the Company, consisting of government and corporate bonds, was $166.7 million.

Transactions involving the sale of securities under Repurchase Agreements are carried at their contract value, which approximates fair value, and are accounted for as collateralized financings. In connection with these financings, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had pledged collateral, consisting of government and corporate bonds, in the amount of $130.3 million and $243.1 million, respectively, which is included in securities owned, at fair value in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

21

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Other

During the second and fourth quarters of 2011, the Company acquired two Luxembourg reinsurance companies from third parties through a wholly-owned local subsidiary, which, upon acquisition, recorded deferred assets and subsequently deferred tax benefits. The purchase price of the reinsurance companies totaled EUR 234.8 million (USD $331.8 million). The acquisitions were not accounted for as business combinations as after separation from the transferor, the reinsurance companies do not meet the definition of a business and did not continue any normal revenue producing or cost generating activities.

b. Consolidated Funds

Securities owned, at fair value

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 securities owned, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds are comprised of:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Government sponsored securities (a)	$	1,501	$	2,006
Commercial paper (b)	1,594		3,927
Corporate bond (c)	—		401
	$	3,095	$	6,334

(a) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from October 2012 to February 2014 and interest rates ranged between 0.32% and 1.74%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from October 2012 to October 2013 and interest rates ranged between 0.32% and 1.74%.

(b) As of September 30, 2012, commercial paper was purchased at a discount and matures on October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, commercial paper was purchased at a discount and matured on January 3, 2012.

(c) As of December 31, 2011, the maturity was April 2012 with an interest rate of 0.58%.

Other investments, at fair value

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 other investments, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds are comprised of:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
(1) Portfolio Funds	$	198,235	$	221,480
(2) Lehman claims	6,860		7,340
	$	205,095	$	228,820

(1) Investments in Portfolio Funds, at fair value

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, investments in Portfolio Funds, at fair value, included the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Investments of Enterprise LP	$	174,314	$	193,012
Investments of consolidated fund of funds	23,921		28,468
	$	198,235	$	221,480

Consolidated investments of Enterprise LP    

Enterprise LP operates under a “master‑feeder” structure with Enterprise Master, whereby Enterprise Master's shareholders are Enterprise LP and RCG II Intermediate Fund, L.P. The consolidated investments in Portfolio Funds are recorded in other investments on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition include Enterprise LP's investment of $174.3 million and $193.0 million in Enterprise Master as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. On May 12, 2010, the Company announced its intention to close Enterprise Master. Prior to this announcement, strategies utilized by Enterprise Master included merger arbitrage and activist investing, investments in distressed securities,

22

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

convertible hedging, capital structure arbitrage, equity market neutral, investments in private placements of convertible securities, proprietary mortgages, structured credit investments, investments in mortgage backed securities and other structured finance products, investments in real estate and real property interests, structured private placements and other relative value strategies. Enterprise Master had broad investment powers and maximum flexibility in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Enterprise Master was permitted to invest in equity securities, debt instruments, options, futures, swaps, credit default swaps and other derivatives. Enterprise Master has been selling, and will continue to sell, its positions and return capital to its investors. There are no unfunded commitments at Enterprise LP.

Investments of consolidated fund of funds investment companies

The investments of consolidated fund of funds investment companies are $23.9 million and $28.5 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. These investments include the investments of Levered FOF, Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF as of September 30, 2012 and Levered FOF, Multi‑Strat FOF and Vintage FOF as of December 31, 2011 (see Note 3b), all of which are investment companies managed by Ramius Alternative Solutions LLC. RTS Global 3X is consolidated as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, which is managed by Ramius Trading Strategies LLC. Multi‑Strat Master FOF's investment objectives (as was Multi-Strat FOF's objective) is to invest discrete pools of their capital among portfolio managers that invest through Portfolio Funds, forming a multi‑strategy, diversified investment portfolio designed to achieve returns with low to moderate volatility. Levered FOF had a similar strategy, but on a levered basis, prior to the fund winding down. Levered FOF is no longer levered. Vintage Master FOF's investment objective (as was Vintage FOF's objective) is to allocate its capital among portfolio managers that invest through investment pools or managed accounts thereby forming concentrated investments in high conviction managers designed to achieve attractive risk adjusted returns with moderate relative volatility. Levered FOF, Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF are all in liquidation. RTS Global 3X's investment objective is to achieve attractive investment returns on a risk-adjusted basis that are non-correlated with the traditional equity and bond markets by investing substantially all of its capital in managed futures and global macro‑based investment strategies. RTS Global 3X seeks to achieve its objective through a multi‑advisor investment approach by allocating its capital among third‑party trading advisors that are unaffiliated with RTS Global 3X. However, unlike a traditional “fund of funds” that invests with advisors through entities controlled by third‑parties, RTS Global 3X will allocate its capital among a number of different trading accounts organized and managed by the general partner.

The following is a summary of the investments held by the four consolidated fund of funds, at fair value, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

		Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Strategy	Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP		Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP		Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP		RTS Global 3X Fund LP		Total
		(dollars in thousands)
Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC*	Credit-Based	$	430	$	884	$	944	$	—	$	2,258	(b)
Independently Advised Portfolio Funds*	Futures & Global Macro	—		—		—		10,438		10,438		(c)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Credit-Based	152		57		233		—		442		(b)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Event Driven	1,562		2,339		3,781		—		7,682		(d)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Hedged Equity	17		226		1,002		—		1,245		(e)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Multi-Strategy	246		635		685		—		1,566		(f)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Fixed Income Arbitrage	29		42		—		—		71		(g)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Opportunistic Equity	—		103		116		—		219		(h)
		$	2,436	$	4,286	$	6,761	$	10,438	$	23,921

23

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

		Fair value as of December 31, 2011
	Strategy	Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP		Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP		Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP		RTS Global 3X Fund LP		Total
		(dollars in thousands)
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*	Multi-Strategy	$	—	$	8,269	$	—	$	—	$	8,269	(a)
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*	Multi-Strategy	—		—		8,883		—		8,883		(a)
Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC*	Credit-Based	438		—		—		—		438		(b)
Independently Advised Portfolio Funds*	Futures & Global Macro	—		—		—		8,078		8,078		(c)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Credit-Based	260		—		—		—		260		(b)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Event Driven	1,992		—		—		—		1,992		(d)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Hedged Equity	35		—		—		—		35		(e)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Multi-Strategy	459		—		—		—		459		(f)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Fixed Income Arbitrage	54		—		—		—		54		(g)
		$	3,238	$	8,269	$	8,883	$	8,078	$	28,468

 *    These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

The Company has no unfunded commitments regarding investments held by the four consolidated funds.

(a) Investments held in affiliated master funds can be redeemed on a monthly basis with no advance notice.

(b) The Credit‑Based strategy aims to generate returns via positions in the credit sensitive sphere of the fixed income markets. The strategy generally involves the purchase of corporate bonds with hedging of the interest exposure. The investments held in Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC, a related fund, are held solely in a credit based fund which the fund's manager has placed in a side-pocket. The remaining amount of the investments within this category represents an investment in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.

(c) The Futures and Global Macro strategy is comprised of several portfolio accounts, each of which will be advised independently by a commodity trading advisor implementing primarily managed futures or global macro‑based investment strategies. The trading advisors (through their respective portfolio accounts) will trade independently of each other and, as a group, will employ a wide variety of systematic, relative value and discretionary trading programs in the global currency, fixed income, commodities and equity futures markets. In implementing their trading programs, the trading advisors will trade primarily in the futures and forward markets (as well as in related options). Although certain trading advisors may be permitted to use total return swaps and trade other financial instruments from time to time on an interim basis, the primary focus will be on the futures and forward markets. Redemption frequency of these portfolio accounts are monthly (and intra month for a $10,000 fee) and the notification period for redemptions is 5 business days (or 3 business days for intra month redemptions).

(d) The Event Driven strategy is generally implemented through various combinations and permutations of merger arbitrage, restructuring and distressed instruments. The investments in this category are primarily in a side pocket or suspended with undetermined payout dates.

(e) The Hedged Equity strategy focuses on equity strategies with some directional market exposure. The strategy attempts to profit from market efficiencies and direction. The investee fund manager has side-pocketed investments.

(f) The Multi‑Strategy investment objective is to invest discrete pools of its capital among portfolio managers that invest through investment funds, forming multi-strategy, diversified investment portfolios designed to achieve non-market directional returns with low relative volatility. The investments in this category represent investments in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.

(g) The Fixed Income Arbitrage strategy seeks to achieve long term capital appreciation by employing a variety of strategies to generate returns without significant exposure to credit spread, interest rate changes or duration. As of September 30, 2012, the investment manager has gated investments.

24

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

(h) The Opportunistic Equity investment style seeks to profit from higher levels of realized market volatility giving to shorter term price momentum and mean reversion trading opportunities.  The investee fund manager has side-pocketed investments with undetermined payout dates.

(2) Lehman Claims, at fair value

With respect to the aforementioned Lehman claims, the Total Net Equity Claim of Enterprise Master consists of $24.3 million. Included in this claim were assets with a value of $9.5 million at the time LBIE entered Administration, that were returned to Enterprise Master and its affiliated funds in June 2010. Enterprise Master and its affiliated funds sold the returned assets for an aggregate $10.7 million, and distributed this amount to Enterprise Master's investors in July 2010. In December 2011, Enterprise Master received an aggregate of approximately $2.4 million relating to securities, interest and dividends earned with respect to securities held by LBIE on behalf of Enterprise Master. A distribution of $2.9 million occurred in February of 2012. Post-distribution, the remaining Net Equity Claim for Enterprise Master is $12.4 million. On November 2, 2012, Enterprise Master executed a Claims Determination Deed with respect to the unsecured portion of its claim against LBIE.  By entering into this deed, Enterprise Master and LBIE reached agreement on the amount of Enterprise Master's unsecured claim, which was agreed to be approximately $1.1 million.  As a result of entering into this deed, Enterprise Master will be entitled to participate in the first dividend to unsecured creditors of LBIE, which is expected to be paid before the end of the year, though the amount of that dividend has not yet been determined. Enterprise Master is valuing this claim at $8.6 million as of September 30, 2012. Of this amount, $6.9 million was attributable to Enterprise LP based on its ownership percentage in Enterprise Master at the time of the Administration. As discussed in Note 6a(4), the Company has an additional $1.0 million claim against LBIE as a result of certain cash and cash equivalent balances held at LBIE. LBIE claims consist of several components, valued as follows: (a) the trust assets that the Company was informed were within the control of LBIE and were expected to be returned in the relatively near term were valued at market less a 1% discount that corresponds to the fee to be charged under the Claim Resolution Agreement (“CRA”), (b) the trust assets that are not within the control of LBIE were valued at 73% with respect to US denominated Assets (which the Company believes to be held through Lehman Brothers, Inc. ("LBI")) and 73% with respect to foreign denominated Assets (which the Company does not believe are held through LBI) which represented the Company's estimate of potential recovery rates and (c) the remaining unsecured claims against LBIE were valued at 73%, which represented the Company's estimate of potential recovery rates with respect to this exposure using available market quotes. The Company believes that shortfalls with respect to trust assets that are not within LBIE's control will give rise to unsecured claims against LBIE. As a result, these claims were valued at 73%, as the Company believes the unsecured recovery rate may be higher than the recovery rate of the trust assets based on its current valuation methodology. The estimated final recoverable amount by Enterprise Master may differ from the actual recoverable amount of the pending LBIE and LBI claims, and the differences may be significant.

As a result of Enterprise Master and certain of the funds managed by the Company having assets held at LBIE frozen in their LBIE prime brokerage account and the degree of uncertainty as to the status of those assets and the process and prospects of the return of those assets, Enterprise Master and the funds managed by the Company decided that only the investors who were invested at the time of the Administration should participate in any profit or loss relating to the Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim. As a result, Enterprise Master and certain of the funds managed by the Company with assets held at LBIE granted a 100% participation in the Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claims to Special Purpose Vehicles (the “SPVs” or “Lehman Segregated Funds”) incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on September 29, 2008, whose shares were distributed to each of their investor funds. Fully redeeming investors of Enterprise LP will not be paid out on the balance invested in the SPV until the claim with LBIE is settled and assets are returned by LBIE.

In addition to Enterprise Master's claims against LBIE, LBI was a prime broker to Enterprise Master and Enterprise Master holds cash balances of $5.3 million at LBI. On September 19, 2008, LBI was placed in a Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) liquidation proceeding after the filing for bankruptcy of its parent Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. The status of the assets under LBI's bankruptcy proceedings has not been determined. The amount that will ultimately be recovered from LBI will depend on the amount of assets available in the fund of customer property to be established by the trustee appointed under the Securities Investor Protection Act (the “SIPA Trustee”) as approved by the bankruptcy court as well as the total amount of customer claims that seek recovery from the fund of customer property. Based on court filings by the SIPA Trustee, the total amount of customer claims exceeds the assets that are likely to be in the fund of customer property. There has been a recent announcement regarding an agreement in principle being reached between LBIE and LBI with respect to their claims against each other which should reduce the total amount of claims against the fund of customer property. This agreement in principle is non-binding and still subject to execution of a definitive agreement and approval of the bankruptcy court. In addition, while there has been an initial ruling with respect to the claims asserted by Barclays plc against LBI relating to an asset purchase agreement entered into by Barclays plc with LBIE near the time of the SIPC liquidation proceeding, there is still uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of these claims that could affect the amount of assets that are included in

25

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

the fund of customer property. As a result of these uncertainties and the timing of any distributions from LBI in respect of the Company's customer claims, but taking into consideration the agreement in principle reached between LBIE and LBI and the reduction of the total amount of claims against LBI as contemplated by that agreement, management has estimated recovery with respect to the Company's exposure to LBI at 69% or $3.6 million as of September 30, 2012, which represents the present value of the mid point between what management believes are reasonable estimates of the low side and high side potential recovery rates with respect to the Company's exposure. The estimated recoverable amount by the Company may differ from the actual recoverable amount of the pending LBI claim, and the differences may be significant.(See Note 6a(4)).

Indirect Concentration of the Underlying Investments Held by Consolidated Funds

From time to time, through its investments in the Consolidated Funds, the Company may indirectly maintain exposure to a particular issue or issuer (both long and/or short) which may account for 5% or more of the Consolidated Funds' net assets (on an aggregated basis). Based on information that is available to the Company as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company assessed whether or not its Consolidated Funds had interests in an issuer for which the Company's pro-rata share exceeds 5% of the Consolidated Funds' net assets (on an aggregated basis). There were no indirect concentrations that exceed 5% of the Consolidated Funds' net assets held by the Company as of September 30, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

Underlying Investments of Unconsolidated Funds Held by Consolidated Funds

Enterprise Master

Enterprise LP's investment in Enterprise Master represents Enterprise LP's proportionate share of Enterprise Master's net assets; as a result, the investment balances of Enterprise Master reflected below may exceed the net investment which Enterprise LP has recorded. The following tables present summarized investment information for the underlying investments and derivatives held by Enterprise Master as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

Securities owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased by Enterprise Master, at fair value

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Bank debt	$	66	$	—
Common stock	2,353		2,173
Preferred stock	823		1,027
Private equity	294		276
Restricted stock	18		47
Rights	1,755		2,173
Trade claims	128		128
Warrants	3		3
	$	5,440	$	5,827

Derivative contracts, at fair value, owned by Enterprise Master, net

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Currency forwards	$	8	$	53
	$	8	$	53

26

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Portfolio Funds, owned by Enterprise Master, at fair value

		As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	Strategy	Fair Value
		(dollars in thousands)
624 Art Holdings, LLC*	Artwork	$	32	$	38
RCG Longview Equity Fund, LP*	Real Estate	14,326		14,460
RCG Longview II, LP*	Real Estate	1,280		1,592
RCG Longview Debt Fund IV, LP*	Real Estate	30,572		23,594
RCG Longview, LP*	Real Estate	293		271
RCG Soundview, LLC*	Real Estate	2,684		2,748
RCG Urban American Real Estate Fund, L.P.*	Real Estate	3,261		3,142
RCG International Sarl*	Multi-Strategy	864		870
Ramius Navigation Fund Ltd*	Multi-Strategy	—		1,106
RCG Special Opportunities Fund, Ltd*	Multi-Strategy	79,599		97,144
Ramius Credit Opportunities Fund Ltd*	Distressed	—		121
RCG Endeavour, LLC*	Multi-Strategy	48		47
RCG Energy, LLC *	Energy	19,255		16,560
RCG Renergys, LLC*	Energy	1		2
Other Private Investments	Various	15,923		16,580
Real Estate Investments	Real Estate	13,670		15,795
		$	181,808	$	194,070

* These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP and Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP

Multi‑Strat FOF's and Vintage FOF's investments in their respective master funds, when Multi‑Strat FOF's and Vintage FOF were consolidated as of December 31, 2011, represented their proportionate share of their master fund's net assets; as a result, the master funds investments in Portfolio Funds reflected below may have exceeded the net investments which Multi‑Strat FOF and Vintage FOF have recorded. Due to a restructuring related to the liquidation of the funds, Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF were first consolidated during the first quarter of 2012 (see Note 3b). The following table presents summarized investment information for the underlying Portfolio Funds held by Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF, at estimated fair value, as of December 31, 2011:

		As of December 31, 2011
	Strategy	Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP		Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP
		(dollars in thousands)
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*	Multi Strategy	$	552	$	—
Tapestry Pooled Account V, LLC*	Credit-Based	901		962
Externally Managed Funds	Credit-Based	40		399
Externally Managed Funds	Event Driven	3,015		5,044
Externally Managed Funds	Fixed Income Arbitrage	79		—
Externally Managed Funds	Hedged Equity	1,272		1,753
Externally Managed Funds	Multi Strategy	1,319		1,442
		$	7,178	$	9,600

* These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

RTS Global 3X Fund LP's Portfolio Fund investments

RTS Global 3X, which commenced operations in March 2010, invests over half of its equity in six externally managed portfolio funds which primarily concentrate on futures and global macro strategies. RTS Global 3X's investments in the portfolio funds represent its proportionate share of the portfolio funds net assets; as a result, the portfolio funds' investments reflected below may exceed the net investment which RTS Global 3X has recorded. The following table presents the summarized investment information, which primarily consists of receivables/(payables) on derivatives, for the underlying

27

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Portfolio Funds held by RTS Global 3X, at fair value, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

	As of September 30, 2012			As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Bond futures	$	482		$	(2	)
Commodity options	—			181
Currency options	—			487
Commodity forwards	(650		)	51
Commodity futures	1,087			756
Currency forwards	(65		)	157
Currency futures	504			418
Energy futures	76			2
Equity future	(59		)	—
Foreign currency option	—			358
Index options	(9		)	80
Index futures	(1,837		)	80
Interest rate futures	670			20
Interest rate options	—			(25		)
	$	199		$	2,563

7. Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

The following table presents the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition by caption and by level within the valuation hierarchy as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

Operating Entities

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned and derivatives
US Government securities	$	95,038	$	—	$	—	$	95,038
Common stocks	297,987		43		2,960		300,990
Convertible bonds	—		50,854		—		50,854
Corporate bonds	—		168,021		—		168,021
Futures	653		—		—		653
Currency forwards	—		418		—		418
Options	23,298		3,245		—		26,543
Warrants and rights	374		—		4,062		4,436
Mutual funds	2,890		—		—		2,890
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		26,794		20,493		47,287
Real estate investments	—		—		2,102		2,102
Lehman claim	—		—		761		761
	$	420,240	$	249,375	$	30,378	$	699,993

28

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

	Liabilities at Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities sold, not yet purchased and derivatives
US Government securities	$	8	$	—	$	—	$	8
Common stocks	195,911		—		—		195,911
Corporate bonds	—		61		—		61
Futures	101		—		—		101
Currency forwards	—		21		—		21
Options	14,725		—		—		14,725
	$	210,745	$	82	$	—	$	210,827

	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned and derivatives
US Government securities	$	182,868	$	—	$	—	$	182,868
Common stocks	248,598		713		1,069		250,380
Convertible bonds	—		18,130		—		18,130
Corporate bonds	—		231,864		—		231,864
Futures	172		—		—		172
Equity swaps	—		635		—		635
Options	55,530		169		—		55,699
Warrants and rights	1,225		—		1,534		2,759
Mutual funds	3,214		—		—		3,214
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		23,431		16,919		40,350
Real estate investments	—		—		2,353		2,353
Lehman claim	—		—		553		553
	$	491,607	$	274,942	$	22,428	$	788,977

	Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities sold, not yet purchased and derivatives
US Government securities	$	165,197	$	—	$	—	$	165,197
Common stocks	123,875		2		—		123,877
Corporate bonds	—		1,529		—		1,529
Futures	617		—		—		617
Equity swaps—short exposure	—		140		—		140
Options	43,648		—		—		43,648
	$	333,337	$	1,671	$	—	$	335,008

29

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Consolidated Funds' investments

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned
US Government securities	$	1,501	$	—	$	—	$	1,501
Commercial paper	—		1,594		—		1,594
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		10,438		187,797		198,235
Lehman claims	—		—		6,860		6,860
	$	1,501	$	12,032	$	194,657	$	208,190

	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned
US Government securities	$	2,006	$	—	$	—	$	2,006
Commercial paper	—		3,927		—		3,927
Corporate bonds	—		401		—		401
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		8,078		213,402		221,480
Lehman claims	—		—		7,340		7,340
	$	2,006	$	12,406	$	220,742	$	235,154

The following table includes a rollforward of the amounts for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 for financial instruments classified within level 3. The classification of a financial instrument within level 3 is based upon the significance of the unobservable inputs to the overall fair value measurement.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
	Operating Entities																						Consolidated Funds
	Common stocks			Common stocks, sold not yet purchased		Restricted Common Stock			Warrants and Rights			Warrants and Rights, sold not yet purchased			Portfolio Funds			Real estate			Lehman claim		Portfolio Funds			Lehman claim
	(dollars in thousands)
Balance at June 30, 2012	$	959		$	—	$	—		$	2,844		$	3		$	19,876		$	2,079		$	731	$	209,507		$	6,538
Transfers in	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Transfers out	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Purchases/(covers)	2,000			—		—			341			—			320			—			—		—			—
(Sales)/short buys	—			—		—			—			—			(361		)	—			—		(19,233		)	—
Realized gains (losses)	—			—		—			—			(3		)	(48		)	—			—		182			—
Unrealized gains (losses)	1			—		—			877			—			706			23			30		(2,659		)	322
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	2,960		$	—	$	—		$	4,062		$	—		$	20,493		$	2,102		$	761	$	187,797		$	6,860
Balance at June 30, 2011	$	953		$	—	$	5,000		$	3,534		$	—		$	17,744		$	2,289		$	501	$	239,588		$	7,320
Transfers in	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Transfers out	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Purchases/(covers)	19			—		—			40			—			7,356			17			—		1			—
(Sales)/short buys	(135		)	—		(4,857		)	(36		)	—			(11,648		)	(1		)	—		(16,320		)	—
Realized gains (losses)	135			—		(143		)	—			—			1			—			—		68			—
Unrealized gains (losses)	(160		)	—		—			(2,184		)	—			456			2			—		(4,181		)	(125		)
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	812		$	—	$	—		$	1,354		$	—		$	13,909		$	2,307		$	501	$	219,156		$	7,195

30

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
	Operating Entities																									Consolidated Funds
	Common stocks			Common stocks, sold not yet purchased			Restricted Common Stock			Warrants and Rights				Warrants and Rights, sold not yet purchased				Portfolio Funds			Real estate			Lehman claim		Portfolio Funds				Lehman claim
	(dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	1,069		$	—		$	—		$	1,534			$	—			$	16,919		$	2,353		$	553	$	213,402			$	7,340
Transfers in	—			—			—			—				—				—			—			—		16,227			(a)	—
Transfers out	—			—			—			(88		)	(b)	(1,004		)	(c)	—			—			—		(17,151		)	(a)	—
Purchases/(covers)	2,000			—			—			623				(306		)		3,171			152			—		434				—
(Sales)/short buys	(6		)	—			—			(65		)		982				(1,175		)	(501		)	—		(24,259		)		(2,291		)
Realized gains (losses)	6			—			—			56				(38		)		(41		)	—			—		(1,510		)		1,914
Unrealized gains (losses)	(109		)	—			—			2,002				366				1,619			98			208		654				(103		)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	2,960		$	—		$	—		$	4,062			$	—			$	20,493		$	2,102		$	761	$	187,797			$	6,860
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	334		$	—		$	5,000		$	1,977			$	—			$	17,081		$	1,882		$	313	$	311,242			$	6,243
Transfers in	—			—			—			—				—				—			—			—		—				—
Transfers out	—			—			—			—				—				—			—			—		—				—
Purchases/(covers)	678			(978		)	—			105				—				43,929			254			—		2				—
(Sales)/short buys	(544		)	833			(4,857		)	(84		)		—				(48,377		)	(6		)	—		(97,244		)		—
Realized gains (losses)	135			145			(143		)	48				—				108			—			—		2,444				—
Unrealized gains (losses)	209			—			—			(692		)		—				1,168			177			188		2,712				952
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	812		$	—		$	—		$	1,354			$	—			$	13,909		$	2,307		$	501	$	219,156			$	7,195

(a) Change in consolidated funds (see Note 3b).

(b) The security was listed on an exchange subsequent to a private funding.

(c) The security began trading on an exchange due to a business combination.

All realized and unrealized gains (losses) in the table above are reflected in other income (loss) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and therefore are not included in the tables above. These include assets such as goodwill and intangibles.

The Company recognizes all transfers at the beginning of the reporting period and related unrealized gain (loss) is also transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

Transfers between level 1 and 2 generally relate to whether the principal market for the security becomes active or inactive. Transfers between level 2 and 3 generally relate to whether significant relevant observable inputs are available for the fair value measurements or due to change in liquidity restrictions for the investments.

During the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, there were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 assets and liabilities.

The following table includes quantitative information as of September 30, 2012 for financial instruments classified within level 3. The table below quantifies information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company's level 3 financial instruments.

31

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value at September 30, 2012		Valuation techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Range (weighted average)
Common stocks	$	2,960	Discounted cash flows, market multiples, recent transactions, bid levels, and comparable transactions.	Market multiples, valuation metric weights, and DCF discount rate.	Valuation metric: 25%-100%. DCF discount rates: 15%-25%, Market multiples: 9x-10x
Warrants and rights	4,062		Model based	Volatility	Volatility: 20% to 40%
Real estate	275		Market approach, income approach, and replacement cost.	Capital rate, DCF discount rate, net operating income, and replacement cost assumptions.	Capital rate: 4.99% to 8.75%
Lehman claim	761		Discounted cash flows and market quotes.	Projected cash flows and DCF discount rate.	Timing of projected cash flow: 9 months. DCF discount rate: 15%
	$	8,058
Other level 3 assets and liabilities (a)	216,977
Total level 3 assets and liabilities	$	225,035

(a) Quantitative disclosures of unobservable inputs and assumptions are not required for investments for which NAV per share is used as a practical expedient to determine fair value, as their redemption features rather than observability of inputs cause them to be classified as a level 3 type asset within the fair value hierarchy. In addition, the fair value of the Consolidated Funds' investments are determined based on net asset value and therefore quantitative disclosures are not included in the table above.

The Company has established valuation policies and procedures and an internal control infrastructure over its fair value measurement of financial instruments which includes ongoing oversight by the valuation committee as well as periodic audits performed by the Company's internal audit group. The valuation committee is comprised of senior management, including non-investment professionals, who are responsible for overseeing and monitoring the pricing of the Company's investments, including the review of the results of the independent price verification process, approval of new trading asset classes and use of applicable pricing models and approaches.

The US GAAP fair value leveling hierarchy is designated and monitored on an ongoing basis. In determining the designation, the Company takes into consideration a number of factors including the observability of inputs, liquidity of the investment and the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement. Designations, models, pricing vendors, third party valuation providers and inputs used to derive fair market value are subject to review by the valuation committee and the internal audit group. The Company reviews its valuation policy guidelines on an ongoing basis and may adjust them in light of, improved valuation metrics and models, the availability of reliable inputs and information, and prevailing market conditions. The Company reviews a daily profit and loss report, as well as other periodic reports, and analyzes material changes from period-to-period in the valuation of its investments as part of its control procedures. The Company also performs back testing on a regular basis by comparing prices observed in executed transactions to previous valuations.

The fair market value for level 3 securities may be highly sensitive to the use of industry standard models, unobservable inputs and subjective assumptions. The degree of fair market value sensitivity is also contingent upon the subjective weight given to specific inputs and valuation metrics. The Company holds various equity and debt instruments where different weight may be applied to industry standard models representing standard valuation metrics such as: discounted cash flows, market multiples, comparative transactions, capital rates, recovery rates and timing, and bid levels. Generally, changes in the weights ascribed to the various valuation metrics and the significant unobservable inputs in isolation may result in significantly lower or higher fair value measurements. Volatility levels for warrants and options are not readily observable and subject to interpretation. Changes in capital rates, discount rates and replacement costs could significantly increase or decrease the valuation of the real estate investments. The interrelationship between unobservable inputs may vary significantly amongst level 3 securities as they are generally highly idiosyncratic. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation can result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.

8. Receivables from and Payable to Brokers

Receivables from and payable to brokers includes cash held at the clearing brokers, amounts receivable or payable for unsettled transactions, monies borrowed and proceeds from short sales (including commissions and fees related to securities

32

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

transactions) equal to the fair value of securities sold, not yet purchased, which are restricted until the Company purchases the securities sold short. Pursuant to the master netting agreements the Company entered into with its brokers, these balances are presented net (assets less liabilities) across balances with the same broker. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, receivable from brokers was $103.8 million and $62.0 million, respectively. Payable to brokers was $203.3 million and $213.4 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company's receivables from and payable to brokers balances are concentrated with eight reputable financial institutions.

9. Goodwill

In accordance with US GAAP, the Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or at an interim period if events or changed circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Under US GAAP, the Company first assesses the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amounts as a basis for determining if it is necessary to perform the two-step approach. Periodically estimating the fair value of a reporting unit requires significant judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant effect on whether or not an impairment charge is recorded and the magnitude of such a charge.

Due to the acquisition of the ATM Group (see Note 2) the Company recognized goodwill in the amount of $6.2 million in the second quarter of 2012. The goodwill primarily relates to the expected synergies from the merger and has been assigned to the broker-dealer segment of the Company.

No impairment charges for goodwill were recognized during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012.

10. Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries

Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries and the related net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries are comprised as follows:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
Operating companies	$	5,148	$	6,472
Consolidated funds	82,863		98,115
	$	88,011	$	104,587

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(dollars in thousands)						(dollars in thousands)
Income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
Operating companies	$	298		$	1,147		$	893		$	3,087
Consolidated funds	(1,331		)	(1,930		)	(2,118		)	(614		)
	$	(1,033	)	$	(783	)	$	(1,225	)	$	2,473

11. Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans

The Company issues share based compensation under the 2006 Equity and Incentive Plan, the 2007 Equity and Incentive Plan (both established prior to the November 2009 transaction between Ramius and Cowen) and the Cowen Group, Inc. 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan (collectively, the “Equity Plans”). The Equity Plans permit the grant of options, restricted shares, restricted stock units and other equity based awards to the Company's employees, consultants and directors for up to 17,725,000 shares of common stock plus any approved additional shares in accordance with the Equity Plans. Stock options granted generally vest over two-to-five-year periods and expire seven years from the date of grant. Restricted shares and restricted share units issued may be immediately vested or may generally vest over a two-to-five-year period. As of September 30, 2012, there were approximately 1.1 million shares available for future issuance under the Equity Plans. On January 1, 2012, 8.2 million shares were added to the shares available under the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan to bring the total equal to 7.5% of the Company's outstanding shares of stock.

Under the 2010 Equity Plan, the Company awarded $16.5 million of deferred cash awards to its employees in February 2012. These awards vest over a period of five years and accrue interest at 0.75% per year. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards of $13.2 million.

33

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

In addition to the Equity Plans, certain employees of the Company, in November 2009, were issued membership interests in RCG Holdings LLC (formerly Ramius LLC) ("RCG") by RCG, a related party of the Company (the “RCG Grants”). Substantially all of the assets owned by RCG consist of shares of common stock of the Company. Accordingly, upon withdrawal of capital from RCG, members receive either distributions in kind of shares of common stock of the Company, or the proceeds from the sale of shares of the Company's common stock attributable to their capital accounts. The RCG Grants are subject to a service condition and vest to each employee over a period of approximately three years. Any RCG Grants forfeited are redistributed to the remaining stakeholders in RCG, which includes both employees and non-employees. The RCG Grants represent awards to employees of the Company by a related party, as compensation for services provided to the Company. As such, the expense related to these grants is included in the compensation expense of the Company, with a corresponding credit to stockholders equity.

The Company measures compensation cost for share based awards according to the equity method. In accordance with the expense recognition provisions of those standards, the Company amortizes unearned compensation associated with share based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the option or award. In relation to awards under the Equity Plans, the Company recognized expense of $5.7 million and $5.1 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and $16.2 million and $15.6 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The income tax effect recognized for the Equity Plans was a benefit of $4.4 million and $2.8 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $9.0 million and $7.8 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

In relation to awards under the RCG Grants, the Company recognized expense of $1.3 million and $1.0 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $4.4 million and $3.9 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The income tax effect recognized for the RCG Grants was a benefit of $0.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1.7 million and $1.5 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes the Company's stock option activity for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Shares Subject to Option		Weighted Average Exercise Price/Share		Weighted Average Remaining Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value(1)
					(in years)	(dollars in thousands)
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	866,428		$	12.95	2.53	$	—
Options granted	—		—		—	—
Options acquired	—		—		—	—
Options expired	(92,665	)	16.00		—	—
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	773,763		$	12.58	1.90	—
Options exercisable at September 30, 2012	623,760		$	14.66	1.19	$	—

(1) Based on the Company's closing stock price of $2.71 on September 30, 2012 and $2.59 on December 31, 2011.

As of September 30, 2012, the unrecognized compensation expense related to the Company's grant of stock options was insignificant.

Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units Granted to Employees

Restricted shares and restricted stock units are referred to collectively as restricted stock. The following table summarizes the Company's restricted share and restricted stock unit activity for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Nonvested Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	7,517,682		$	5.57
Granted	8,381,939		2.82
Vested	(4,337,252	)	3.95
Cancelled	—		—
Forfeited	(778,541	)	3.52
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	10,783,828		$	4.23

34

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.

As of September 30, 2012, there was $27.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the Company's grant of nonvested restricted shares and restricted stock units to employees. Unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted shares and restricted stock units granted to employees is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.56 years.

RCG Grants

The following table summarizes the Company's RCG Grants activity for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Nonvested RCG Grants			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	1,298,213			$	7.30
Granted	—			—
Vested	—			—
Forfeited	(13,613	)	*	7.30
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	1,284,600			$	7.30

* Forfeitures of non vested RCG Grants are reallocated to other members within RCG Holdings, LLC.

The fair value of the RCG Grants was determined based on the number of the Company's shares underlying the RCG membership interest and the quoted price of the Company's common stock on the date of the 2009 transactions between Ramius and Cowen.

As of September 30, 2012, there was $0.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the Company's RCG Grants. Unrecognized compensation expense related to RCG Grants is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.08 years.

Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units Granted to Non-employee Board Members

There were 257,004 restricted stock units awarded, which were immediately vested and expensed upon grant, during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012. Vested awards of 108,237 were delivered during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012. No awards were awarded or vested during the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012. As of September 30, 2012 there were 336,895 restricted stock units outstanding.

12. Defined Benefit Plans

The following amounts relate to the above plans in aggregate for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, and 2011:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost included in employee compensation and benefits
Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Interest cost	53			60			159			198
Expected return on plan assets	(60		)	(71		)	(176		)	(207		)
Amortization of (loss) / gain	—			—			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost	5			5			15			15
Effect of settlement	(17		)	1			(20		)	(30		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(19	)	$	(5	)	$	(22	)	$	(24	)

13. Income Taxes

The taxable results of the Company's U.S. operations are included in the consolidated income tax returns of the Company as well as stand-alone state and local tax returns. The Company has subsidiaries that are resident in foreign countries where tax

35

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

filings have to be submitted on a stand-alone basis. These subsidiaries are subject to tax in their respective countries and the Company is responsible for and, thus, reports all taxes incurred by these subsidiaries. The countries where the Company owns subsidiaries are United Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg, Gibraltar, Japan, Hong Kong, and China.

The Company calculates its U.S. tax provision using the estimated annual effective tax rate methodology. The tax expense or benefit caused by an unusual or infrequent item is recorded in the quarter in which it occurs. The Company uses the discrete methodology to calculate its income tax provision for its foreign subsidiaries. Based on these methodologies, the Company's effective income tax rate was (3.26)% and 40.87% for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, the unusual or infrequent item whose tax impact was recorded discretely was primarily related to the tax provisions of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.

For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, the effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to an increase in the Company's valuation allowance, stock compensation and other nondeductible expenses.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35% primarily because of the recognition of deferred tax benefits that resulted from the acquisition of a Luxembourg reinsurance company with deferred tax liabilities; the non-taxable bargain purchase gain recorded as a result of the acquisition of LaBranche; stock compensation; non-deductible syndication costs; other non-deductible expenses, and an increase in the Company's valuation allowance. The Luxembourg reinsurance company, which carried deferred tax liabilities, was acquired by a consolidated subsidiary of the Company as part of a reinsurance service program and this subsidiary recorded a deferred tax benefit upon the acquisition of the reinsurance company pursuant to an Advance Tax Agreement.

The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax benefit or expense that will result from differences between the carrying value of its assets for income tax purposes and for financial reporting purposes, as well as for operating or capital loss and tax credit carryovers. A valuation allowance is recorded to bring the net deferred tax assets to a level that, in management's view, is more likely than not to be realized in the foreseeable future. This level will be estimated based on a number of factors, especially the amount of net deferred tax assets of the Company that are actually expected to be realized, for tax purposes, in the foreseeable future. As of September 30, 2012 the Company recorded a valuation allowance against substantially all of its net deferred tax assets.

The Company is subject to examination by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the United Kingdom Inland Revenue Service and state and local and foreign tax authorities in jurisdictions where the Company has significant business operations, such as New York. In 2011, the Company concluded the IRS audit for the tax years 2006 through 2009 with no proposed changes by the IRS.

The Company intends to permanently reinvest the capital and accumulated earnings of its foreign subsidiaries in the respective subsidiary, but repatriates the current earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to the United States to the extent such repatriation is permissible under local regulatory rules. The undistributed earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries totaled $3.5 million as of September 30, 2012. The tax liability that would arise if these earnings were remitted to the United States is approximately $0.2 million.

14. Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Obligations

The Company has entered into non-cancellable leases for office space and equipment. These leases contain rent escalation clauses. The Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any rent holiday periods. Rent expense was $3.6 million and $3.6 million, for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and was $11.0 million and $10.5 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The liability relating to future rent payments and other monthly amounts associated with vacating the remaining portion of the Company's leased premises, located at 1221 Avenue of Americas, was $3.3 million and $5.7 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

As of September 30, 2012, future minimum annual lease and service payments for the Company were as follows:

36

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

	Equipment Leases (a)		Service Payments		Facility Leases (b)
	(dollars in thousands)
2012	$	825	$	2,445	$	4,503
2013	3,301		10,920		17,560
2014	1,548		7,935		15,396
2015	1,051		2,030		12,310
2016	194		194		11,421
Thereafter	—		—		53,607
	$	6,919	$	23,524	$	114,797

(a) Equipment Leases include the Company's commitments relating to operating and capital leases. See Note 15 for further information on capital lease minimum payments.

(b) The Company has entered into various agreements to sublease certain of its premises. The Company recorded sublease income related to these leases of $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1.0 million and $0.3 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Clawback Obligations

For financial reporting purposes, the general partners have recorded a liability for potential clawback obligations to the limited partners of a real estate fund, due to changes in the unrealized value of the fund's remaining investments and where the fund's general partner has previously received carried interest distributions.

The actual clawback liability, however, does not become realized until the end of a fund's life. The life of the real estate funds with a potential clawback obligation, including available contemplated extensions, are currently anticipated to expire at the end of 2013. Further extensions of such terms may be implemented under certain circumstances. As of September 30, 2012, the clawback obligations were $6.2 million. (See Note 20).

The Company serves as the general partner/managing member and/or investment manager to various affiliated and sponsored funds. As such, the Company is contingently liable for obligations for those entities. These amounts are not included above as the Company believes that the assets in these funds are sufficient to discharge any liabilities.

Unfunded Commitments

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had unfunded commitments of$6.4 millionpertaining to capital commitments intworeal estate investments held by the Company, all of which pertain to related party investments. Such commitments can be called at any time, subject to advance notice. The Company, as a limited partner of the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds and also as a member of Healthcare Royalty Partners General Partner, has committed to invest $42.2 millionin the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds which are managed by Healthcare Royalty Management. This commitment is expected to be called over atwo tofive year period. The Company will make its pro-rata investment in the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds along with the other limited partners. ThroughSeptember 30, 2012, the Company has funded$26.3 million towards these commitments. In April 2011, the Company committed$15.0 millionto Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP, which may increase or decrease over time with the performance of Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP. As ofSeptember 30, 2012, the Company's unfunded commitment to Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP is $2.9 million.

Litigation

In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries and current and former officers, directors and employees (the "Company and Related Parties") are named as defendants in, or as parties to, various legal actions and proceedings. Certain of these actions and proceedings assert claims or seek relief in connection with alleged violations of securities, banking, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, employment and other statutory and common laws. Certain of these actual or threatened legal actions and proceedings include claims for substantial or indeterminate compensatory or punitive damages, or for injunctive relief.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company and Related Parties are also subject to governmental and regulatory examinations, information gathering requests (both formal and informal), certain of which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. Certain affiliates and subsidiaries of the Company are investment banks, registered broker-dealers, futures commission merchants, investment advisers or other regulated entities and, in those capacities, are subject to regulation by various U.S., state and foreign securities, commodity futures and other regulators. In

37

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

connection with formal and informal inquiries by these regulators, the Company and such affiliates and subsidiaries receive requests, and orders seeking documents and other information in connection with various aspects of their regulated activities.

Due to the global scope of the Company's operations, and its presence in countries around the world, the Company and Related Parties may be subject to litigation, and governmental and regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal), in multiple jurisdictions with legal and regulatory regimes that may differ substantially, and present substantially different risks, from those the Company and Related Parties are subject to in the United States.

The Company seeks to resolve all litigation and regulatory matters in the manner management believes is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and contests liability, allegations of wrongdoing and, where applicable, the amount of damages or scope of any penalties or other relief sought as appropriate in each pending matter.

In accordance with the US GAAP, the Company establishes reserves for contingencies when the Company believes that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company discloses a contingency if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred and there is no reserve for the loss because the conditions above are not met. The Company's disclosure includes an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss for those matters, for which an estimate can be made. Neither reserve nor disclosure is required for losses that are deemed remote.     

The Company appropriately reserves for certain matters where, in the opinion of management, the likelihood of liability is probable and the extent of such liability is reasonably estimable. Such amounts are included within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and currently available information and involve a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the type and nature of the litigation, claim or proceeding, the progress of the matter, the advice of legal counsel, the Company's defenses and its experience in similar cases or proceedings as well as its assessment of matters, including settlements, involving other defendants in similar or related cases or proceedings. The Company may increase or decrease its legal reserves in the future, on a matter-by-matter basis, to account for developments in such matters.

In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of various claims against the Company, particularly where the matters are in early stages of discovery or claimants seek indeterminate damages, the Company cannot reasonably determine the possible outcome, the timing of ultimate resolution or estimate a range of possible loss, or impact related to each currently pending matter. Based on information currently available, the Company believes that the amount of reasonably possible losses will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition or cash flows. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such proceedings, losses may be material to the Company's operating results in a future period, depending in part, on the operating results for such period and the size of the loss or liability imposed.

15. Short-Term Borrowings and Other Debt

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, short term borrowings and other debt of the Company were as follows:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Notes payable	$	246	$	370
Capital lease obligations	4,270		5,280
	$	4,516	$	5,650

The Company entered into several capital leases for computer equipment during the fourth quarter of 2010. These leases amount to$6.3 millionand are recorded in fixed assets and as capital lease obligations, which are included in short-term borrowings and other debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, and have lease terms that range from48 to 60months and interest rates that range from 0.60% to 6.14%. As ofSeptember 30, 2012, the remaining balance on these capital leases was$4.3 million. Interest expense for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and was$0.1 million and $0.1 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company hasfourirrevocable letters of credit, for which there is cash collateral pledged, including (i)$82,000, which expires on May 12, 2013, supporting the Company's San Francisco office, (ii) $1.2 millionwhich expires on September 3, 2013, supporting the Company's lease of additional office space in New York, (iii)$6.7 million, which

38

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

expires December 12, 2012, supporting the lease of office space in New York which the Company pays a fee on the stated amount of the letter of credit and (iv)$1.0 millionwhich expires February 22, 2013, supporting the lease of additional office space in New York.

To the extent any letter of credit is drawn upon, interest will be assessed at the prime commercial lending rate. As ofSeptember 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no amounts due related to these letters of credit.

Annual scheduled maturities of debt and minimum lease payments for capital lease obligation and short term borrowings and other debt outstanding as of September 30, 2012, are as follows:

	Capital Lease Obligation			Short Term Borrowings
	(dollars in thousands)
2012	$	386		$	46
2013	1,541			183
2014	1,402			46
2015	1,051			—
2016	194			—
Thereafter	—			—
Subtotal	4,574			275
Less: Amount representing interest (a)	(304		)	(29		)
Total	$	4,270		$	246

(a) Amount necessary to reduce net minimum lease payments to present value calculated at the Company's implicit rate at lease inception.

16. Treasury stock

Treasury stock of $27.8 million as of September 30, 2012, compared to $16.9 million as of December 31, 2011, resulted from $2.7 million acquired through repurchases of shares to cover employee minimum tax withholding obligations related to stock compensation vesting events under the Company's Equity Plan and $8.2 million purchased in connection with a share repurchase program. In August 2012, the Company's Board of Directors approved a $15.0 million increase in the Company's share repurchase program that authorizes the Company to purchase the Company's Class A common shares. The total amount authorized as of September 30, 2012 is $35.0 million.

The following represents the activity relating to the treasury stock held by the Company during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Treasury stock shares	Cost (dollars in thousands)		Average cost per share
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	5,346,003	$	16,902	$	3.16
Shares purchased for minimum tax withholding under the Equity Plan	1,062,296	2,652		2.50
Purchase of treasury stock	3,211,852	8,252		2.57
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	9,620,151	$	27,806	$	2.89

17. Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates its basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with US GAAP. Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to the Company's stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. As of September 30, 2012, there were 113,962,889 shares outstanding, of which 420,276 are restricted. To the extent that outstanding restricted shares are unvested, they are excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share. The Company has included 336,895 fully vested, unissued restricted stock units in its calculation of basic earnings per share.

Diluted earnings per common share are calculated by adjusting the weighted average outstanding shares to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive nonvested restricted stock and stock options. The Company uses the treasury stock method to reflect the potential dilutive effect of the unvested restricted shares, restricted stock units and unexercised stock options. In calculating the number of dilutive shares outstanding, the shares of common stock underlying unvested restricted shares and restricted stock units are assumed to have been delivered, and options are assumed to have been exercised, on the grant date. The assumed proceeds from the assumed vesting, delivery and exercising were calculated as the sum of (a) the amount of

39

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized and (b) the amount of tax benefit that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming vesting and delivery of the restricted stock. The tax benefit is the amount resulting from a tax deduction for compensation in excess of compensation expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes. All outstanding stock options and unvested restricted shares were not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

The computation of earnings per share is as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(11,618		)	(43,930		)	(15,761		)	(20,553		)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(1,033		)	(783		)	(1,225		)	2,473
Net income (loss) from continuing operations less Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(10,585		)	(43,147		)	(14,536		)	(23,026		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(5,087		)	—			(5,087		)
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Weighted average shares used in basic computation	114,989			115,664			114,587			89,118
Stock options	—			—			—			—
Restricted stock	—			—			—			—
Weighted average shares used in diluted computation	114,989			115,664			114,587			89,118
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.26	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—			(0.04		)	—			(0.06		)
Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.26	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—			(0.04		)	—			(0.06		)

18. Segment Reporting

The Company conducts its operations through two segments: the alternative investment segment and the broker‑dealer segment. These activities are conducted primarily in the United States and substantially all of its revenues are generated domestically. The performance measure for these segments is Economic Income (Loss), which management uses to evaluate the financial performance of and make operating decisions for the segments including determining appropriate compensation levels.

In general, Economic Income (Loss) is a pre-tax measure that (i) eliminates the impact of consolidation for consolidated funds, (ii) excludes equity award expense related to the November 2009 Ramius/Cowen transaction, (iii) excludes certain other acquisition-related and/or reorganization expenses (including the discontinued operations of LaBranche) and (iv) excludes the bargain purchase gain which resulted from the LaBranche acquisition (See Note 2). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) revenues include investment income that represents the income the Company has earned in investing its own capital, including realized and unrealized gains and losses, interest and dividends, net of associated investment related expenses. For US GAAP purposes, these items are included in each of their respective line items. Economic Income (Loss) revenues also include management fees, incentive income and investment income earned through the Company's investment as a general partner in certain real estate entities and the Company's investment in the Value and Opportunity business. For US GAAP purposes, all of these items are recorded in other income (loss). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) expenses are reduced by reimbursement from affiliates, which for US GAAP purposes is presented gross as part of revenue.

As further stated below, one major difference between Economic Income (Loss) and US GAAP net income (loss) is that Economic Income (Loss) presents the segments' results of operations without the impact resulting from the full consolidation of any of the Consolidated Funds. Consolidation of these funds results in including in income the pro rata share of the income or loss attributable to other owners of such entities which is reflected in net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-

40

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

controlling interest in consolidated subsidiaries in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. This pro rata share has no effect on the overall financial performance for the alternative investment segment, as ultimately, this income or loss is not income or loss for the alternative investment segment itself. Included in Economic Income (Loss) is the actual pro rata share of the income or loss attributable to the Company as an investor in such entities, which is relevant in management making operating decisions and evaluating financial performance.

The following tables set forth operating results for the Company's alternative investment and broker dealer segments and related adjustments necessary to reconcile the Company's Economic Income (Loss) measure to arrive at the Company's consolidated US GAAP net income (loss):

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	18,666		$	18,666		$	—		$	—			$	18,666
Brokerage	—			22,701			22,701			—			—				22,701
Management fees	13,426			—			13,426			(362		)	(4,198		)	(a)	8,866
Incentive income	1,699			—			1,699			—			(283		)	(a)	1,416
Investment Income	6,864			2,288			9,152			—			(9,152		)	(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			3,605			(c)	3,605
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(97		)	1,467			(b)	1,370
Other revenue	168			213			381			—			320			(c)	701
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			273			—				273
Total revenues	22,157			43,868			66,025			(186		)	(8,241		)		57,598
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	11,759			34,490			46,249			—			1,073				47,322
Interest and dividends	93			38			131			—			1,826			(c)	1,957
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	8,564			15,452			24,016			—			(24,016		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	1,433			4,287			5,720			—			(5,720		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			29,445			(c)(d)	29,445
Reimbursement from affiliates	(1,467		)	—			(1,467		)	—			1,467			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			330			—				330
Total expenses	20,382			54,267			74,649			330			4,075				79,054
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			12,510			(c)	12,510
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			(815		)	(1,694		)		(2,509		)
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			(815		)	10,816				10,001
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	1,775			(10,399		)	(8,624		)	(1,331		)	(1,500		)		(11,455		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			163			(b)	163
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	1,775			(10,399		)	(8,624		)	(1,331		)	(1,663		)		(11,618		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(301		)	—			(301		)	1,331			3				1,033
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	1,474		$	(10,399	)	$	(8,925	)	$	—		$	(1,660	)		$	(10,585	)

(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2012 the Company has reflected $2.3 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $0.8 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

41

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	10,816		$	10,816		$	—		$	—			$	10,816
Brokerage	306			25,364			25,670			—			—				25,670
Management fees	18,476			—			18,476			(428		)	(3,270		)	(a)	14,778
Incentive income	(643		)	—			(643		)	—			(1,180		)	(a)	(1,823		)
Investment Income	(13,795		)	(3,233		)	(17,028		)	—			17,028			(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			10,930			(c)	10,930
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(49		)	1,027			(b)	978
Other revenue	41			(128		)	(87		)	—			396			(c)	309
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			301			—				301
Total revenues	4,385			32,819			37,204			(176		)	24,931				61,959
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	10,724			31,474			42,198			—			1,453				43,651
Interest and dividends	52			130			182			—			1,722			(c)	1,904
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	7,445			18,367			25,812			—			(25,812		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	4,315			5,610			9,925			—			(9,925		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			34,340			(c)(d)	34,340
Reimbursement from affiliates	(1,028		)	—			(1,028		)	—			1,028			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			1,135			—				1,135
Total expenses	21,508			55,581			77,089			1,135			2,806				81,030
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			(21,989		)	(c)	(21,989		)
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			(619		)	(2,179		)		(2,798		)
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			(619		)	(24,168		)		(24,787		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	(17,123		)	(22,762		)	(39,885		)	(1,930		)	(2,043		)		(43,858		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			72			(b)	72
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	(17,123		)	(22,762		)	(39,885		)	(1,930		)	(2,115		)		(43,930		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			—			—			(5,087		)	(f)	(5,087		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(810		)	—			(810		)	1,930			(337		)		783
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	(17,933	)	$	(22,762	)	$	(40,695	)	$	—		$	(7,539	)		$	(48,234	)

(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company has reflected an adjustment of $5.1 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $1.7 million out of the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

42

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	50,550		$	50,550		$	—		$	—			$	50,550
Brokerage	—			71,282			71,282			—			—				71,282
Management fees	42,032			—			42,032			(1,150		)	(12,367		)	(a)	28,515
Incentive income	8,303			—			8,303			—			(5,616		)	(a)	2,687
Investment Income	30,361			8,182			38,543			—			(38,543		)	(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			14,845			(c)	14,845
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(222		)	4,018			(b)	3,796
Other revenue	508			186			694			—			1,704			(c)	2,398
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			474			—				474
Total revenues	81,204			130,200			211,404			(898		)	(35,959		)		174,547
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	42,705			91,098			133,803			—			3,299				137,102
Interest and dividends	123			155			278			—			6,610			(c)	6,888
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	24,093			45,655			69,748			—			(69,748		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	3,881			15,852			19,733			—			(19,733		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			87,889			(c)(d)	87,889
Reimbursement from affiliates	(4,018		)	—			(4,018		)	—			4,018			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			1,339			—				1,339
Total expenses	66,784			152,760			219,544			1,339			12,335				233,218
Other income (loss)
Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			41,969			(c)	41,969
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			119			1,318				1,437
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			119			43,287				43,406
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	14,420			(22,560		)	(8,140		)	(2,118		)	(5,007		)		(15,265		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			496			(b)	496
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	14,420			(22,560		)	(8,140		)	(2,118		)	(5,503		)		(15,761		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(900		)	—			(900		)	2,118			7				1,225
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	13,520		$	(22,560	)	$	(9,040	)	$	—		$	(5,496	)		$	(14,536	)

(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company has reflected $8.2 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $2.7 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

43

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	39,841		$	39,841		$	—		$	—			$	39,841
Brokerage	380			77,488			77,868			—			—				77,868
Management fees	48,062			—			48,062			(1,407		)	(8,856		)	(a)	37,799
Incentive income	10,217			—			10,217			—			(6,984		)	(a)	3,233
Investment Income	20,027			2,854			22,881			—			(22,881		)	(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			21,330			(c)	21,330
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(217		)	3,185			(b)	2,968
Other revenue	1,015			(529		)	486			—			744			(c)	1,230
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			614			—				614
Total revenues	79,701			119,654			199,355			(1,010		)	(13,462		)		184,883
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	41,595			85,707			127,302			—			5,011				132,313
Interest and dividends	157			460			617			—			7,010			(c)	7,627
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	23,163			50,512			73,675			—			(73,675		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	13,002			18,377			31,379			—			(31,379		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			101,911			(c)(d)	101,911
Reimbursement from affiliates	(3,186		)	—			(3,186		)	—			3,186			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			2,635			—				2,635
Total expenses	74,731			155,056			229,787			2,635			12,064				244,486
Other income (loss)
Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			(4,631		)	(c)	(4,631		)
Bargain purchase gain	—			—			—			—			22,244			(e)	22,244
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			3,031			686				3,717
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			3,031			18,299				21,330
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	4,970			(35,402		)	(30,432		)	(614		)	(7,227		)		(38,273		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			(17,720		)	(b)	(17,720		)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	4,970			(35,402		)	(30,432		)	(614		)	10,493				(20,553		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			—			—			(5,087		)	(f)	(5,087		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(2,750		)	—			(2,750		)	614			(337		)		(2,473		)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	2,220		$	(35,402	)	$	(33,182	)	$	—		$	5,069			$	(28,113	)

(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company has reflected $1.3 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $0.2 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

The following is a summary of the adjustments made to US GAAP net income (loss) for the segment to arrive at

Economic Income (Loss):

Funds Consolidation: The impacts of consolidation and the related elimination entries of the Consolidated Funds are not included in Economic Income (Loss). Adjustments to reconcile to US GAAP net income (loss) include elimination of incentive income and management fees earned from the Consolidated Funds and addition of fund expenses excluding management fees

44

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

paid, fund revenues and investment income (loss).

Other Adjustments:

(a)     Economic Income (Loss) recognizes revenues (i) net of distribution fees paid to agents and (ii) our proportionate share

of management and incentive fees of certain real estate operating entities and the activist business (2012 only).

(b)    Economic Income (Loss) excludes income taxes as management does not consider this item when evaluating the

performance of the segment. Also, reimbursement from affiliates is shown as a reduction of Economic Income

expenses, but is included as a part of revenues under US GAAP.

(c)     Economic Income (Loss) recognizes Company income from proprietary trading net of related expenses.

(d)     Economic Income (Loss) recognizes the Company's proportionate share of expenses for certain real estate and other

operating entities for which the investments are recorded under the equity method of accounting for investments.

(e)    Economic Income excludes the bargain purchase gain which resulted from the LaBranche acquisition.

(f)    Economic Income (Loss) excludes discontinued operations.

For the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, there was no one fund or other customer which represented more than 10% of the Company's total revenues. Primarily all of the revenues earned by the alternative investment segment were from related parties for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011. There were no revenues earned from related parties by the broker dealer segment in the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011.

19. Regulatory Requirements

As registered broker‑dealers, Cowen and Company, Cowen Capital LLC (formerly known as LaBranche Capital, LLC) and ATM USA are subject to the SEC's Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the “Rule”), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Under the alternative method permitted by the Rule, Cowen and Company's minimum net capital requirement, as defined, is$1.0 million. Under the basic method permitted by the Rule, Cowen Capital LLC is required to maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equivalent to the greater of $1.0 million or 6.667%of aggregate indebtedness.ATM USA is required to maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equivalent to the greater of$5,000 or 6.667%of aggregate indebtedness.The broker-dealers are not permitted to withdraw equity if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. As of September 30, 2012, Cowen and Company had total net capital of approximately$31.1 million, which was approximately $30.1 million in excess of its minimum net capital requirement of$1.0 million. As of September 30, 2012, Cowen Capital, LLC had total net capital of approximately$3.1 million, which was approximately$2.1 millionin excess of its minimum net capital requirement of$1.0 million. As of September 30, 2012, ATM USA had total net capital of approximately $0.6 million, which was approximately $0.5 millionin excess of its minimum net capital requirement of $0.1 million.

Cowen and Company, Cowen Capital LLC and ATM USA are exempt from the provisions of Rule 15c3-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as its activities are limited to those set forth in the conditions for exemption appearing in paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of the Rule.

Proprietary accounts of introducing brokers (“PAIB”) held at the clearing broker are considered allowable assets for net capital purposes, pursuant to agreements between Cowen and Company and Cowen Capital LLC and the clearing broker, which require, among other things, that the clearing broker performs computations for PAIB and segregates certain balances on behalf of Cowen and Company and Cowen Capital LLC, if applicable.

Ramius UK Ltd. (“Ramius UK”) and Cowen International Limited (“CIL”) are subject to the capital requirements of the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) of the UK. Financial Resources, as defined, must exceed the requirement of the FSA. As of September 30, 2012, Ramius UK's Financial Resources of$0.6 millionexceeded its minimum requirement of$0.2 million by $0.4 million. As of September 30, 2012, CIL's Financial Resources of$4.5 millionexceeded its minimum requirement of$2.3 million by $2.2 million.

Cowen and Company (Asia) Limited (“CCAL”) (formerly known as Cowen Latitude Advisors Limited) is subject to the financial resources requirements of the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) of Hong Kong. Financial Resources, as defined, must exceed the Total Financial Resources requirement of the SFC. As of September 30, 2012, CCAL's Financial Resources of $0.7 millionexceeded the minimum requirement of $0.4 million by $0.3 million.

20. Related Party Transactions

The Company acts as managing member, general partner and/or investment manager to the Ramius managed funds, Healthcare Royalty Management, LLC, and the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds, and certain managed accounts. Management fees and incentive income are primarily earned from affiliated entities. Fees receivable primarily represents the

45

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

management fees and incentive income owed to the Company from these related funds and certain affiliated managed accounts. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, $10.7 million and $14.9 million, respectively, included in fees receivable are earned from related parties.

The Company may, at its discretion, reimburse certain fees charged to the funds that it manages to avoid duplication of fees when such funds have an underlying investment in another affiliated investment fund. For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, the Company reimbursed the funds that it manages $0.2 million, For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company reversed the previously recorded reimbursed fees of $0.2 million. For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company reimbursed the funds that it manages $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively, which were recorded net in management fees and incentive income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, related amounts still payable were $1.4 million and $3.4 million, respectively, and were reflected in fees payable in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

As a result of a business combination in 2004, Ramius Alternative Solutions LLC acquired receivables of $9.6 million and assumed liabilities of a corresponding amount relating to various agreements with investors. Such amounts have been recorded in fees receivable and due to related parties, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The remaining balance yet to be paid was $0.4 million and $1.0 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Of such amounts outstanding as of September 30, 2012, $0.2 million will be paid in 2012.

The Company may also make loans to employees or other affiliates, excluding executive officers of the Company. These loans are interest bearing and settle pursuant to the agreed-upon terms with such employees or affiliates and are included in due from related parties in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, loans to employees of $5.5 million and $5.3 million, respectively, were included in due from related parties on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. For the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 the interest income was insignificant for these loans and advances. The remaining balance included in due from related parties primarily relates to amounts due to the Company from affiliated funds and real estate entities due to expenses paid on their behalf.

In April 2011, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Starboard Value LP (see Note 6), whereby the Company can loan up to $3.0 million to Starboard Value LP at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.75% (payable quarterly) with a maturity of March 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2012, $1.5 million is included in due from related parties in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition. For the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, interest charged for this loan was not significant.

Included in due to related parties is approximately $0.2 million and $0.3 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, related to a subordination agreement with an investor in certain real estate funds. This total is based on a hypothetical liquidation of the real estate funds as of the balance sheet date.

21. Guarantees and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Guarantees

US GAAP requires the Company to disclose information about its obligations under certain guarantee arrangements. Those standards define guarantees as contracts and indemnification agreements that contingently require a guarantor to make payments to the guaranteed party based on changes in an underlying security (such as an interest or foreign exchange rate, security or commodity price, an index or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a specified event) related to an asset, liability or equity security of a guaranteed party. Those standards also define guarantees as contracts that contingently require the guarantor to make payments to the guaranteed party based on another entity's failure to perform under an agreement as well as indirect guarantees of the indebtedness of others.

In the normal course of its operations, the Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote.

The Company indemnifies and guarantees certain service providers, such as clearing and custody agents, trustees and administrators, against specified potential losses in connection with their acting as an agent of, or providing services to, the Company or its affiliates. The Company also indemnifies some clients against potential losses incurred in the event specified third-party service providers, including sub-custodians and third-party brokers, improperly execute transactions. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnifications cannot be

46

Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to CondensedConsolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

estimated. However, the Company believes that it is unlikely it will have to make significant payments under these arrangements and has not recorded any contingent liability in the condensed consolidated financial statements for these indemnifications.

The Company is a member of various securities exchanges. Under the standard membership agreements, members are required to guarantee the performance of other members and, accordingly, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the exchange, all other members would be required to meet the shortfall. The Company's liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities it has posted as collateral. However, management believes that the potential for the Company to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for these arrangements.

The Company also provides representations and warranties to counterparties in connection with a variety of commercial transactions and occasionally indemnifies them against potential losses caused by the breach of those representations and warranties. The Company may also provide standard indemnifications to some counterparties to protect them in the event additional taxes are owed or payments are withheld, due either to a change in or adverse application of certain tax laws. These indemnifications generally are standard contractual terms and are entered into in the normal course of business. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnifications cannot be estimated. However, the Company believes it is unlikely it will have to make material payments under these arrangements and has not recorded any contingent liability in the condensed consolidated financial statements for these indemnifications.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no material off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. However, through indemnification provisions in our clearing agreement, customer activities may expose us to off-balance-sheet credit risk. Pursuant to the clearing agreement, the Company is required to reimburse our clearing broker, without limit, for any losses incurred due to a counterparty's failure to satisfy its contractual obligations. However, these transactions are collateralized by the underlying security, thereby reducing the associated risk to changes in the market value of the security through the settlement date. The Company is a member of various securities exchanges. Under the standard membership agreement, members are required to guarantee the performance of other members and, accordingly, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the exchange, all other members would be required to meet the shortfall. The Company's liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities it has posted as collateral. However, management believes that the potential for the Company to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no contingent liability is carried in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for these arrangements.

In addition, during the normal course of business, the Company has exposure to a number of risks including market risk, currency risk, credit risk, operational risk, liquidity risk and legal risk. As part of the Company's risk management process, these risks are monitored on a regular basis throughout the course of the year.

22. Subsequent Events

During the third quarter of 2012 the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire KDC Securities, LP (“KDC”), a securities lending business. KDC is the broker-dealer subsidiary of Kellner Capital, LLC, an alternative investment manager. The transaction closed on November 1, 2012. The Company is in the process of finalizing the initial accounting under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with US GAAP. In the aggregate, the purchase price, net assets acquired and liabilities assumed were not significant and the near term impact to the Company and its condensed consolidated results of operations and cash flows are not expected to be significant. 

As of November 1, 2012, the Company no longer offers cash management services.

The Company has evaluated events through November 8, 2012 which is the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no additional subsequent events requiring adjustment or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

47

Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of Cowen Group, Inc. included elsewhere in this quarterly report. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Overview

Cowen Group, Inc. is a diversified financial services firm and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, provides alternative investment management, investment banking, research, market-making and sales and trading services through its two business segments: alternative investment and broker-dealer. The alternative investment segment includes hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures funds, fund of funds, real estate, healthcare royalty funds, cash management services and mortgage advisory services, offered primarily under the Ramius name. The broker-dealer segment offers industry focused investment banking for growth-oriented companies including advisory and global capital markets origination and domain knowledge-driven research and a sales and trading platform for institutional investors, primarily under the Cowen name.

Our alternative investment business had approximately $10.4 billion of assets under management as of October 1, 2012. The predecessor to this business was founded in 1994 and, through one of its subsidiaries, has been a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act since 1997. Our alternative investment products, solutions and services include hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures funds, funds of funds, real estate, healthcare royalty funds, cash management services and mortgage advisory services. Our institutional investors include pension funds, insurance companies, banks, foundations and endowments, wealth management organizations and family offices.

Our broker-dealer businesses include research, brokerage and investment banking services to companies and institutional investor clients primarily in the healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, consumer, aerospace and defense, industrials, real estate investment trusts ("REITs") and alternative energy sectors. We provide research and brokerage services to over 1,000 domestic and international clients seeking to trade securities, principally in our target sectors. Historically, we have focused our investment banking efforts on small to mid-capitalization public companies as well as private companies.

Certain Factors Impacting Our Business

Our alternative investment business and results of operations are impacted by the following factors:

• Assets under management.  Our revenues from management fees are directly linked to assets under management. As a result, the future performance of our alternative investment business will depend on, among other things, our ability to retain assets under management and to grow assets under management from existing and new products. In addition, positive performance increases assets under management which results in higher management fees. As previously disclosed, redemptions in Ramius Multi-Strategy Fund Ltd triggered certain contractual rights of affiliates of UniCredit S.p.A (“UniCredit S.p.A”), which would have allowed them to withdraw their assets held in that fund upon 30 days notice. Such affiliates of UniCredit S.p.A instead agreed, pursuant to a modification agreement, to extend the time period pursuant to which the Company was required to return the bulk of its assets in our funds by the end of 2010. The Company returned a significant portion of the assets during 2010 and as of September 30, 2012, including redemptions effective on October 1, 2012, we have returned approximately $549 million to affiliates of UniCredit S.p.A with a remaining investment balance of approximately $148 million invested in our investment vehicles, including a fund of funds managed account.

• Investment performance.  Our revenues from incentive income are linked to the performance of the funds and accounts that we manage. Performance also affects assets under management because it influences investors' decisions to invest assets in, or withdraw assets from, the funds and accounts managed by us.

• Fee and allocation rates.  Our management fee revenues are linked to the management fee rates we charge as a percentage of assets under management. Our incentive income revenues are linked to the incentive allocation rates we charge as a percentage of performance-driven asset growth. Our incentive allocations are generally subject to “high-water marks,” whereby incentive income is generally earned by us only to the extent that the net asset value of a fund at the end of a measurement period exceeds the highest net asset value as of the end of the earlier measurement period for which we earned incentive income. Our incentive allocations, in some cases, are subject to performance hurdles.

• Investment performance of our own capital.  We invest our own capital and the performance of such invested capital affects our revenues. As of October 1, 2012, we had investments of approximately $114.0 million, $193.4 million and

48

$21.1 million in the Enterprise Fund (an entity which invests its capital in Ramius Enterprise Master Fund Ltd), Cowen Overseas Investment LP (“COIL”) and Ramius Optimum Investments LLC (“ROIL”), respectively. Enterprise Fund is a fund vehicle that currently has external investors, is closed to new investors and is in liquidation. COIL and ROIL are wholly owned entities managed by Ramius that the Company uses solely for the firm's invested capital.

Our broker-dealer business and results of operations are impacted by the following factors:

• Underwriting, private placement and strategic/financial advisory fees.  Our revenues from investment banking are directly linked to the underwriting fees we earn in equity and debt securities offerings in which the Company acts as an underwriter, private placement fees earned in non-underwritten transactions and success fees earned in connection with advising both buyers and sellers, principally in mergers and acquisitions. As a result, the future performance of our investment banking business will depend on, among other things, our ability to secure lead manager and co-manager roles in clients capital raising transactions as well as our ability to secure mandates as a client's strategic financial advisor.

• Commissions.  We receive commissions from executing customer transactions. Our commission revenues depend for the most part on our customer trading volumes.

• Principal transactions. Principal transactions revenue includes net trading gains and losses from the Company's market-making activities and net trading gains and losses on inventory and other firm positions. Commissions associated with these transactions are also included herein. In certain cases, the Company provides liquidity to clients buying or selling blocks of shares of listed stocks without previously identifying the other side of the trade at execution, which subjects the Company to market risk.

• Equity research fees.  Equity research fees are paid to the Company for providing equity research. The Company also permits institutional customers to allocate a portion of their commissions to pay for research products and other services provided by third parties. Our ability to generate revenues relating to our equity research depends on the quality of our research and its relevance to our institutional customers and other clients.

External Factors Impacting Our Business

Our financial performance is highly dependent on the environment in which our businesses operate. A favorable business environment is characterized by many factors, including a stable geopolitical climate, transparent financial markets, low inflation, low interest rates, low unemployment, strong business profitability and high business and investor confidence. Unfavorable or uncertain economic or market conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or business confidence, limitations on the availability (or increases in the cost of) credit and capital, increases in inflation or interest rates, exchange rate volatility, unfavorable global asset allocation trends, outbreaks of hostilities or other geopolitical instability, corporate, political or other scandals that reduce investor confidence in the capital markets, or a combination of these or other factors. Our businesses and profitability have been and may continue to be adversely affected by market conditions in many ways, including the following:

• Our alternative investment business was affected by the conditions impacting the global financial markets and the hedge fund industry during 2008, which was characterized by substantial declines in investment performance and unanticipated levels of requested redemptions. While the environment for investing in alternative investment products has since improved, the variability of redemptions could continue to affect our alternative investment business, and it is possible that we could intermittently experience redemptions above historical levels, regardless of fund performance.

• Our broker-dealer business has been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by market conditions. Increased competition continues to affect our investment banking and capital markets businesses. The same factors also affect trading volumes in secondary financial markets, which affect our brokerage business. Commission rates, market volatility, increased competition from larger financial firms and other factors also affect our brokerage revenues and may cause these revenues to vary from period to period.

• Our broker-dealer business focuses primarily on small to mid-capitalization and private companies in specific industry sectors. These sectors may experience growth or downturns independent of general economic and market conditions, or may face market conditions that are disproportionately better or worse than those impacting the economy and markets generally. In addition, increased government regulation has had, and may continue to have, a disproportionate effect on capital formation by smaller companies. Therefore, our broker-dealer business could be affected differently than overall market trends.

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Our businesses, by their nature, do not produce predictable earnings. Our results in any period can be materially affected by conditions in global financial markets and economic conditions generally. We are also subject to various legal and regulatory actions that impact our business and financial results.

Recent Developments

During the third quarter of 2012 the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire KDC Securities, LP (“KDC”), a securities lending business. KDC is the broker-dealer subsidiary of Kellner Capital, LLC, an alternative investment manager. The transaction closed on November 1, 2012.

Basis of presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company in this Form 10-Q include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries, and entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest or a substantive, controlling general partner interest. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain fund entities that are consolidated in the condensed consolidated financial statements, are not subject to these consolidation provisions with respect to their own investments pursuant to their specialized accounting.

The Company serves as the managing member/general partner and/or investment manager to affiliated fund entities which it sponsors and manages. Certain of these funds in which the Company has a substantive, controlling general partner interest are consolidated with the Company pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP") as described below (the “Consolidated Funds”). Consequently, the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of these funds on a gross basis. The ownership interests in these funds which are not owned by the Company are reflected as redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries in the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. The management fees and incentive income earned by the Company from these funds are eliminated in consolidation.

Acquisition

The June 2011 acquisition of Labranche was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with US GAAP. In this case, the acquisition was accounted for as an acquisition by Cowen of LaBranche. As such, results of operations for LaBranche are included in the accompanying condensed statements of operations since the date of acquisition, and the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company decided to discontinue the market making business operated by the subsidiaries acquired through the LaBranche acquisition, as a result of the subsidiaries not meeting the Company's expectations as to their results of operations and were not generating positive cash flows. In accordance with US GAAP, the Company reclassified and reported the results of operations related to these subsidiaries in discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Revenue recognition

The Company's principal sources of revenue are derived from two segments: an alternative investment segment and a broker-dealer segment, as more fully described below.

Our alternative investment segment generates revenue through three principal sources: management fees, incentive income and investment income from our own capital.

Our broker-dealer segment generates revenue through two principal sources: investment banking and brokerage.

Management fees

The Company earns management fees from affiliated funds and certain managed accounts that it serves as the investment manager based on assets under management. The actual management fees received vary depending on distribution fees or fee splits paid to third parties either in connection with raising the assets or structuring the investment.

Management fees are generally paid on a quarterly basis at the beginning of each quarter in arrears and are prorated for capital inflows and redemptions. While some investors may have separately negotiated fees, in general the management fees are as follows:

• Hedge Funds. Management fees for the Company's hedge funds are generally charged at an annual rate of up to 2% of assets under management. Management fees are generally calculated monthly based on assets under management at the end of each month before incentive income.

• Alternative Solutions. Management fees for the Alternative Solutions business are generally charged at an annual rate of up to 2% of assets under management. Management fees are generally calculated monthly based on assets

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under management at the end of each month before incentive income or based on assets under management at the beginning of the month. Management fees earned from the Alternative Solutions business are based and initially calculated on estimated net asset values and actual fees ultimately earned could be impacted to the extent of any changes in these estimates.

• Real Estate Funds. Management fees from the Company's real estate funds are generally charged by their general partners at an annual rate from 1% to 1.5% of total capital commitments during the investment period and of invested capital or net asset value of the applicable fund after the investment period has ended. Management fees are typically paid to the general partners on a quarterly basis, at the beginning of the quarter in arrears, and are prorated for changes in capital commitments throughout the investment period and invested capital after the investment period. The general partners of the Company's real estate funds are owned jointly by the Company and third parties. Accordingly, the management fees (in addition to incentive income and investment income) generated by these real estate funds are split between the Company and the other general partners. Pursuant to US GAAP, these fees and other income received by the general partners that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are reflected under net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

• Healthcare Royalty Partners (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners) Funds. During the investment period (as defined in the management agreement of the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds), management fees for the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds are generally charged at an annual rate of up to 2% of committed capital. After the investment period, management fees are generally charged at an annual rate of up to 2% of assets under management. Management fees for the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds are calculated on a quarterly basis.

• Ramius Trading Strategies. Management fees for Ramius Trading Strategies Managed Futures Fund, a mutual fund launched in September 2011, are 1.60% per annum (subject to an overall expense cap of 1.85%). Management fees and platform fees for the Company's private commodity trading advisory business are generally charged at an annual rate of up to 3% and 1.50%, respectively, for the levered vehicle and 1% and 0.50%, respectively, for the unlevered vehicle. Management and platform fees are generally calculated monthly based on assets under management at the end of each month.

• Other. The Company also provides other investment advisory services. Other management fees are primarily earned from the Company's cash management business and range from annual rates of up to 0.20% of assets, based on the average daily balances of the assets under management.

Incentive income

The Company earns incentive income based on net profits (as defined in the respective investment management agreements) with respect to certain of the Company's funds and managed accounts, allocable for each fiscal year that exceeds cumulative unrecovered net losses, if any, that have been carried forward from prior years. For the products we offer, incentive income earned is typically 20% for hedge funds and 10% for fund of funds and alternative solutions products (in certain cases on performance in excess of a benchmark), of the net profits earned for the full year that are attributable to each fee-paying investor. Generally, incentive income on real estate funds is earned after the investor has received a full return of their invested capital, plus a preferred return. However, for certain real estate funds, the Company is entitled to receive incentive fees earlier, provided that the investors have received their preferred return on a current basis. These funds are subject to a potential clawback of these incentive fees upon the liquidation of the fund if the investor has not received a full return of its invested capital plus the preferred return thereon. Incentive income in the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds is earned only after investors receive a full return of their capital plus a preferred return.

In periods following a period of a net loss attributable to an investor, the Company generally does not earn incentive income on any future profits attributable to that investor until the accumulated net loss from prior periods is recovered, an arrangement commonly referred to as a “high-water mark.” The Company has elected to record incentive income revenue in accordance with “Method 2” of US GAAP. Under Method 2, the incentive income from the Company's funds and managed accounts for any period is based upon the net profits of those funds and managed accounts at the reporting date. Any incentive income recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations may be subject to future reversal based on subsequent negative performance prior to the conclusion of the fiscal year, when all contingencies have been resolved.

Carried interest in the real estate funds is subject to clawback to the extent that the carried interest actually distributed to date exceeds the amount due to the Company based on cumulative results. As such, the accrual for potential repayment of previously received carried interest, which is a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, represents all amounts previously distributed to the Company, less an assumed tax liability, that would need to be repaid to certain real estate funds if these funds were to be liquidated based on the current fair value of the underlying funds' investments

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as of the reporting date. The actual clawback liability does not become realized until the end of a fund's life.

Investment Banking

The Company earns investment banking revenue primarily from fees associated with public and private capital raising transactions and providing strategic advisory services. Investment banking revenues are derived primarily from small and mid-capitalization companies within the Company's target sectors of healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, consumer, aerospace and defense, industrials, REITs and alternative energy. Investment banking revenue consists of underwriting fees, strategic/financial advisory fees and private placement fees.

• Underwriting fees. The Company earns underwriting revenues in securities offerings in which the Company acts as an underwriter, such as initial public offerings, follow-on equity offerings, debt offerings, and convertible security offerings. Underwriting revenues include management fees, selling concessions and underwriting fees. Fee revenue relating to underwriting commitments is recorded when all significant items relating to the underwriting process have been completed and the amount of the underwriting revenue has been determined. This generally is the point at which all of the following have occurred: (i) the issuer's registration statement has become effective with the SEC, or the other offering documents are finalized; (ii) the Company has made a firm commitment for the purchase of securities from the issuer; and (iii) the Company has been informed of the number of securities that it has been allotted.

When the Company is not the lead manager for an underwriting transaction, management must estimate the Company's share of transaction-related expenses incurred by the lead manager in order to recognize revenue. Transaction-related expenses are deducted from the underwriting fee and therefore reduce the revenue the Company recognizes as co-manager. Such amounts are adjusted to reflect actual expenses in the period in which the Company receives the final settlement, typically within 90 days following the closing of the transaction.

• Strategic/financial advisory fees.  The Company's strategic advisory revenues include success fees earned in connection with advising companies, principally in mergers and acquisitions and liability management transactions. The Company also earns fees for related advisory work such as providing fairness opinions. The Company records strategic advisory revenues when the services for the transactions are completed under the terms of each assignment or engagement and collection is reasonably assured. Expenses associated with such transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded.

• Private placement fees.  The Company earns agency placement fees in non-underwritten transactions such as private placements of debt and equity securities, including, private investment in public equity transactions (“PIPEs”) and registered direct offerings. The Company records private placement revenues when the services for the transactions are completed under the terms of each assignment or engagement and collection is reasonably assured. Expenses associated with such transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded.

Brokerage

Brokerage revenue consists of commissions, principal transactions, net and equity research fees.

• Commissions. Commission revenue includes fees from executing client transactions. These fees are recognized on a trade date basis. The Company permits institutional customers to allocate a portion of their commissions to pay for research products and other services provided by third parties. The amounts allocated for those purposes are commonly referred to as soft dollar arrangements. Commissions on soft dollar brokerage are recorded net of the related expenditures on an accrual basis.

• Principal Transactions. Principal transaction, net revenue includes net trading gains and losses from the Company's market-making activities in equity securities, listed options trading, and trading gains and losses on inventory and other firm positions, which include warrants previously received as part of investment banking transactions, recognized on a trade date basis. Commissions associated with these transactions are also included herein. In certain cases, the Company provides liquidity to clients buying or selling blocks of shares of stocks, which subjects the Company to market risk. These positions are typically held for a very short duration.

• Equity Research Fees. Equity research fees are paid to the Company for providing equity research. Revenue is recognized once an arrangement exists, access to research has been provided, the fee amount is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured.

Interest and dividends

Interest and dividends are earned by the Company from various sources. The Company receives interest and dividends

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primarily from investments held by its Consolidated Funds and its brokerage balances from invested capital. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis and interest income is recognized on the debt of those issuers that is deemed collectible. Interest income and expense includes premiums and discounts amortized and accreted on debt investments based on criteria determined by the Company using the effective yield method, which assumes the reinvestment of all interest payments. Dividends are recognized on the ex-dividend date.

Reimbursement from affiliates

The Company allocates, at its discretion, certain expenses incurred on behalf of its hedge fund, fund of funds and real estate businesses. These expenses relate to the administration of such subsidiaries and assets that the Company manages for its funds. In addition, pursuant to the funds' offering documents, the Company charges certain allowable expenses to the funds, including charges and personnel costs for legal, compliance, accounting, tax compliance, risk and technology expenses that directly relate to administering the assets of the funds. Such expenses that have been reimbursed at their actual costs are included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as employee compensation and benefits, professional, advisory and other fees, communications, occupancy and equipment, client services and business development and other.

Expenses

The Company's expenses consist of compensation and benefits, interest expense and general, administrative and other expenses.

• Compensation and Benefits.  Compensation and benefits is comprised of salaries, benefits, discretionary cash bonuses and equity-based compensation. Annual incentive compensation is variable, and the amount paid is generally based on a combination of employees' performance, their contribution to their business segment, and the Company's performance. Generally, compensation and benefits comprise a significant portion of total expenses, with annual incentive compensation comprising a significant portion of total compensation and benefits expenses.

• Interest and Dividends.  Interest and dividend expense relates primarily to trading activity with respect to the Company's investments.

• General, Administrative and Other.  General, administrative and other expenses are primarily related to professional services, occupancy and equipment, business development expenses, communications, insurance and other miscellaneous expenses. These expenses may also include certain one-time charges and non-cash expenses.

• Consolidated Funds Expenses.  Certain funds are consolidated by the Company pursuant to US GAAP. As such, the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the expenses of these consolidated entities and the portion attributable to other investors is allocated to a redeemable non-controlling interest.

Income Taxes

The taxable results of the Company's U.S. operations are subject to U.S. federal, state and city taxation as a corporation. The Company is also subject to foreign taxation on income it generates in certain countries.

The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax benefit or expense that will result from differences between the carrying value of its assets for income tax purposes and for financial reporting purposes, as well as for operating or capital loss and tax credit carryovers. A valuation allowance is recorded to bring the net deferred tax assets to a level that, in management's view, is more likely than not to be realized in the foreseeable future. This level will be estimated based on a number of factors, especially the amount of net deferred tax assets of the Company that are actually expected to be realized, for tax purposes, in the foreseeable future. As of September 30, 2012, the Company recorded a valuation allowance against substantially all of its net deferred tax assets.

Redeemable Non-controlling Interests

Redeemable non-controlling interests represent the pro rata share of the income or loss of the non-wholly owned consolidated entities attributable to the other owners of such entities. Due to the fact that the non-controlling interests are redeemable at the option of the holder they have been classified as temporary equity.

Assets Under Management and Fund Performance

Assets Under Management

Assets under management refer to all of our alternative investment products, solutions and services including hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures funds, fund of funds, real estate, healthcare royalty funds, cash management services and mortgage advisory services. Assets under management also include the fair value of assets we

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manage pursuant to separately managed accounts, collateralized debt obligations for which we are the collateral manager, and, as indicated in the footnotes to the table below, proprietary assets which the Company has invested in these products. Also, as indicated, assets under management for certain products represent committed capital and certain products where the Company owns a portion of the general partners.

As of October 1, 2012, the Company had assets under management of $10.4 billion, a 9.8%decrease as compared to assets under management of $11.5 billion as of July 1, 2012. The $1.1 billiondecrease in assets under management during the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 resulted from $1.2 billion in net redemptions (of which $1.1 billion related to cash management) partially offset by a $88.3 million performance-related increase in assets under management.

The following table is a breakout of total assets under management by platform as of October 1, 2012:

Platform	Total Assets under Management *						Primary Strategies
	October 1, 2012			July 1, 2012
	(dollars in millions)
Hedge Funds (a)	$	2,157	(b)	$	2,133	(b)	Multi-Strategy
							Single Strategy
Alternative Solutions (c)	2,365			2,209			Multi-Strategy
							Single Strategy
							Customized Solutions
							Hedging Strategies
	97			253			Advisory
Ramius Trading Strategies (d)	174			186			Commodity Trading Advisory
Real Estate (a)	1,628		(g)	1,628		(g)	Debt
							Equity
Healthcare Royalty Partners (e)	1,473		(g)	1,473		(g)	Royalty Interests
Other (f)	2,483			3,622			Cash Management
							Mortgage Advisory
Total	$	10,377		$	11,504

* Excludes cross investments from other Ramius platforms.

(a) The Company owns between 30% and 55% of the general partners of the real estate business and of the activist business (one of the single strategy hedge funds). We do not possess unilateral control over any of these general partners.

(b) This amount includes the Company's invested capital of approximately $114.0 million and $127.2 million as of October 1, 2012 and July 1, 2012, respectively.

(c) This amount includes the Company's invested capital of approximately $3.6 million as of October 1, 2012 and July 1, 2012, respectively.

(d) This amount includes three funds (RTS Global Fund, LP, RTS Global 3X Funds, LP and Ramius Trading Strategies Managed Futures Fund) and the Company's invested capital of approximately $22.3 million (which includes the notional amount of the Company's investment in RTS Global 3X Fund LP) as of October 1, 2012.

(e) This amount includes the Company's invested capital of approximately $11.8 million and $11.2 million as of October 1, 2012 and July 1, 2012, respectively.

(f) The Company's cash management services business provided clients with investment guidelines for managing cash and established investment programs for managing their cash in separately managed accounts.  Given the current focus of the Company's alternative investment management business and the areas where the Company believes it can achieve long term growth, as of November 1, 2012, the Company is no longer offering cash management services and is arranging for the transfer of the remaining assets related to such business to another asset manager.   The Company

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continues to provide mortgage advisory services where the Company manages collateralized debt obligations held by investors.

(g) This amount reflects committed capital.

The following table presents total assets under management by period:

	Nine Months Ended			Three Months Ended			Year ended December 31,
	October 1, 2012			October 1, 2012			2011			2010		2009
	(dollars in thousands)
Beginning Assets under Management	$	10,265,493		$	11,504,493		$	9,276,278		$	8,313,638	$	9,765,230
Net Subscriptions (Redemptions)	(128,972		)	(1,214,944		)	1,147,447			812,555		(1,780,117		)	(b)
Net Performance (a)	241,356			88,328			(76,552		)	150,085		328,525
Ending Assets under Management	$	10,377,877		$	10,377,877		$	10,347,173		$	9,276,278	$	8,313,638

(a) Net performance is net of all management and incentive fees and includes the effect of any foreign exchange translation adjustments and leverage in certain funds.

(b) Net redemptions for 2009 include $807 million of capital commitments to the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds that were part of Cowen Holdings prior to the 2009 transactions between Ramius and Cowen.

Fund Performance

Continuing this year's pattern of quarterly reversals in investor sentiment, the third quarter of 2012 saw market participants adopt a more positive view despite the prevailing macro issues. The pricing momentum in stocks and bonds seen on the final day of the second quarter--following the agreement reached at the Eurozone summit to pursue a banking union--carried over into the third quarter. While various country-specific Eurozone concerns, and questions on weaker growth in the U.S. and China were not resolved, investors took advantage of ample Central Bank liquidity and pursued risk assets. The advent of "QE3" in the U.S. further supported a positive view.

As one example, the Standard & Poor's 500 gained 6.35% following a second quarter loss and closed September with a 16.45% year to date gain. Despite the region's outstanding issues, the Euro Stoxx 50 Index gained 9.01% for the quarter, resulting in a 10.99% gain for the nine month period. Appetite for yield in the fixed income markets seemed insatiable. Investment grade companies sold $257 billion of bonds in the U.S. during the quarter, while junk issuers placed $94 billion of new debt. The combined figure represents an all-time high in corporate debt issuance for one quarter. Mutual fund inflows continue to be positive for bond funds at the expense of equity funds. The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index also appreciated during the period--up 9.66%--but has weakened since mid-September. The Index had gained 17.44% from June 6 (the date that Federal Reserve officials indicated they might take further action) through September 14.

Ramius investment vehicles had varying results during the third quarter of 2012, but in most instances performed as expected during a different environment than the previous three months. This includes funds in both the long/short corporate credit area as well as in small-cap equity activism. Both of these funds performed well, despite carrying short exposures (credit) and market hedges (activism) during a strong period for risk assets. The internally managed multi-strategy funds maintained their focus on capital preservation, while still executing an opportunistic strategy for the sale of certain assets in order to make distributions to investors. The more liquid mutual funds offering hedge fund and managed futures exposures, which are managed conservatively, did lag behind relevant industry indices as certain securities markets reversed direction along with trend changes in certain commodities and futures instruments. Significant Central Bank actions and policies continue to make macro analysis and positioning very challenging. Finally, as has been the general trend for some time, longer-dated debt investments in real estate showed additional gains. The primary real estate equity fund was off marginally for the quarter, but the sector remains in favor, with firm underlying valuations and the availability of capital.

Invested Capital

The Company invests a significant portion of its capital base to help drive results and facilitate the growth of its alternative investment and broker/dealer businesses. Management allocates capital to three primary investment categories: (i) trading strategies; (ii) merchant banking investments; and (iii) real estate investments. The Company seeks to make strategic and opportunistic investments in varying capital structures across a diverse array of businesses, hedge funds and mutual funds. Much of the Company's trading strategy portfolio is invested along side the Company's alternative investment clients and includes liquid investment strategies such as corporate credit trading, event driven, macro trading, and enhanced cash management. Within its merchant banking investments, management generally takes a long-term view that typically involves investing directly in public and private companies globally, private equity funds and along side its alternative investment management clients. The Company's real estate investment strategy focuses on making investments along side the Company's

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alternative investment clients in Ramius managed funds such as the RCG Longview platform, as well as in direct investments in commercial real estate projects.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company's invested capital amounted to a net value $420.3 million (supporting a long market value of $699.5 million), representing approximately 83% of Cowen Group's stockholders' equity presented in accordance with US GAAP. The table below presents the Company's invested equity capital by strategy and as a percentage of Cowen Group's stockholders' equity as of September 30, 2012. The net values presented in the table below do not tie to Cowen Group's condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of September 30, 2012 because they are included in various line items of the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition, including “securities owned, at fair value”, “other investments”, “cash and cash equivalents”, and “consolidated funds-securities owned, at fair value”.

Strategy	Net Value		% of Stockholders' Equity
	(dollars in millions)
Trading	$	276.2	55%
Merchant Banking	96.8		19%
Real Estate	47.3		9%
Total	420.3		83%
Stockholders' Equity	$	504.0	100%

The allocations shown in the table above will change over time.

Results of Operations

To provide comparative information of the Company's operating results for the periods presented, a discussion of Economic Income (Loss) of our alternative investment and broker-dealer segments follows the discussion of our total consolidated US GAAP results. Economic Income (Loss) reflects, on a consistent basis for all periods presented in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements, income earned from the Company's funds and managed accounts and from its own invested capital. Economic Income (Loss) excludes certain adjustments required under US GAAP. See the section titled “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company-Segment Analysis and Economic Income (Loss),” and Note 18 to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements, appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, for a reconciliation of Economic Income (Loss) to total Company US GAAP net income (loss).

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Period to Period
	2012			2011			$ Change			% Change
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	18,666		$	10,816		$	7,850		73	%
Brokerage	22,701			25,670			(2,969		)	(12	)%
Management fees	8,866			14,778			(5,912		)	(40	)%
Incentive income	1,416			(1,823		)	3,239			(178	)%
Interest and dividends	3,605			10,930			(7,325		)	(67	)%
Reimbursement from affiliates	1,370			978			392			40	%
Other revenues	701			309			392			127	%
Consolidated Funds revenues	273			301			(28		)	(9	)%
Total revenues	57,598			61,959			(4,361		)	(7	)%
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	47,322			43,651			3,671			8	%
Interest and dividends	1,957			1,904			53			3	%
General, administrative and other expenses	29,445			34,340			(4,895		)	(14	)%
Consolidated Funds expenses	330			1,135			(805		)	(71	)%
Total expenses	79,054			81,030			(1,976		)	(2	)%
Other income (loss)
Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments	12,510			(21,989		)	34,499			(157	)%
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	(2,509		)	(2,798		)	289			(10	)%
Total other income (loss)	10,001			(24,787		)	34,788			(140	)%
Income (loss) before income taxes	(11,455		)	(43,858		)	32,403			(74	)%
Income taxes expense (benefit)	163			72			91			126	%
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(11,618		)	(43,930		)	32,312			(74	)%
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(5,087		)	5,087			(100	)%
Net income (loss)	(11,618		)	(49,017		)	37,399			(76	)%
Income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(1,033		)	(783		)	(250		)	32	%
Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	(10,585	)	$	(48,234	)	$	37,649		(78	)%

Revenues

Investment Banking

Investment banking revenues increased$7.9 million to $18.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $10.8 million in the prior year quarter. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company completed 10 underwriting transactions, one private capital raising transaction, three debt capital market transactions and one strategic advisory transaction. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company completed five underwriting transactions, two private capital raising transactions, three strategic advisory transactions, and two debt financing transactions.

Brokerage

Brokerage revenues decreased$3.0 million to $22.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $25.7 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily attributable to lower commission revenues due to a reduction in customer trading volumes and a lower per share average commission. This decrease was offset by an increase in fees earned related to the Company's acquisition of ATM. Customer trading volumes across the industry (according to Bloomberg) decreased 32% in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year quarter.

Management Fees

Management fees decreased$5.9 million to $8.9 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $14.8 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily attributable to our healthcare royalty funds, for which fees decreased

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in the current year due to an increase in committed capital in the prior year quarter that resulted in recognizing cumulative retrospective management fees. 

Incentive Income

Incentive income increased$3.2 million to $1.4 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with a loss of $1.8 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily a result of an increase in performance fees earned on our Global Credit fund.

Interest and Dividends

Interest and dividends decreased$7.3 million to $3.6 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $10.9 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily attributable to a decrease in the number of investments in interest bearing securities during 2012 as compared to 2011.

Reimbursements from Affiliates

Reimbursements from affiliates increased$0.4 million to $1.4 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $1.0 million in the prior year quarter.

Other Revenues

Other revenues increased$0.4 million to $0.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $0.3 million in the prior year quarter.

Consolidated Funds Revenues

Consolidated Funds revenues remained flat at $0.3 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and the prior year quarter.

Expenses

Employee Compensation and Benefits

Employee compensation and benefits expenses increased $3.6 million to $47.3 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $43.7 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily attributable to an increase in the amortization of deferred compensation, severance expense and investments in new professionals which was partially offset by lower variable compensation. The compensation to revenue ratio, based on total revenues only, was 82% for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with 70% in the prior year quarter. The increase in the compensation to revenue ratio resulted from a 8% increase in total compensation combined with a 7% decrease in total revenues. The compensation to revenue ratio, including other income (loss), was 70% for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with 117% in the prior year quarter. Average headcount for 2012 decreased by 7% from the prior year quarter.

Interest and Dividends

Interest and dividends expense increased$0.1 million to $2.0 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $1.9 million in the prior year quarter. Interest and dividends expense relates to trading activity with respect to the Company's investments.

General, Administrative and Other Expenses

General, administrative and other expenses decreased$4.9 million to $29.4 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $34.3 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily due to professional fees incurred in the prior year quarter for employment agency fee expenses and a decrease in service fees related to cost cutting efforts made in 2011 to reduce excess services.

Consolidated Funds Expenses

Consolidated Funds expenses decreased$0.8 million to $0.3 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $1.1 million in the prior year quarter.

Other Income (Loss)

Other income (loss) increased$34.8 million to $10.0 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with a loss of $24.8 million in the prior year quarter. The increase primarily relates to an increase in the Company's own invested capital driven by increases in performance in certain investment strategies including our activist, credit and event driven strategies. The gains and losses shown under Consolidated Funds reflect the consolidated total performance for such funds, and the portion of those gains or losses that are attributable to other investors is allocated to redeemable non-controlling interests.

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Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) increased$0.1 million to $0.2 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with an income tax benefit of $0.1 million in the prior year quarter. The Company's tax expense increased primarily because the Company's foreign subsidiaries recorded higher foreign taxes as a result of increased pre-tax income.

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

As a result of the LaBranche subsidiaries not meeting the Company's expectations as to their results of operations and not generating positive cash flows, the Company's management decided, during the fourth quarter of 2011, to exit the business operated by these subsidiaries. In accordance with US GAAP, the Company reclassified and reported the results of operations related to these subsidiaries in discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Non-controlling Interests

Income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests decreased by $0.3 million to a loss of $1.0 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with loss of $0.8 million in the prior year quarter. The period over period change was the result of an overall decrease in performance of the Consolidated Funds and therefore more allocations of losses to non-controlling interest holders.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Period to Period
	2012			2011			$ Change			% Change
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	50,550		$	39,841		$	10,709		27	%
Brokerage	71,282			77,868			(6,586		)	(8	)%
Management fees	28,515			37,799			(9,284		)	(25	)%
Incentive income	2,687			3,233			(546		)	(17	)%
Interest and dividends	14,845			21,330			(6,485		)	(30	)%
Reimbursement from affiliates	3,796			2,968			828			28	%
Other revenues	2,398			1,230			1,168			95	%
Consolidated Funds revenues	474			614			(140		)	(23	)%
Total revenues	174,547			184,883			(10,336		)	(6	)%
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	137,102			132,313			4,789			4	%
Interest and dividends	6,888			7,627			(739		)	(10	)%
General, administrative and other expenses	87,889			101,911			(14,022		)	(14	)%
Consolidated Funds expenses	1,339			2,635			(1,296		)	(49	)%
Total expenses	233,218			244,486			(11,268		)	(5	)%
Other income (loss)
Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments	41,969			(4,631		)	46,600			(1,006	)%
Bargain purchase gain	—			22,244			(22,244		)	NM
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	1,437			3,717			(2,280		)	(61	)%
Total other income (loss)	43,406			21,330			22,076			103	%
Income (loss) before income taxes	(15,265		)	(38,273		)	23,008			(60	)%
Income taxes expense (benefit)	496			(17,720		)	18,216			(103	)%
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(15,761		)	(20,553		)	4,792			(23	)%
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(5,087		)	5,087			(100	)%
Net income (loss)	(15,761		)	(25,640		)	9,879			(39	)%
Income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(1,225		)	2,473			(3,698		)	(150	)%
Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	(14,536	)	$	(28,113	)	$	13,577		(48	)%

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Revenues

Investment Banking

Investment banking revenues increased$10.8 million to $50.6 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $39.8 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, the Company completed 37 underwriting transactions, five private capital raising transactions, seven debt capital market transactions and three strategic advisory transactions. During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2011, the Company completed 25 underwriting transactions, five private capital raising transactions, seven strategic advisory transactions and three debt financing transactions.

Brokerage

Brokerage revenues decreased$6.6 million to $71.3 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $77.9 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This was primarily attributable to lower commission revenues due to a reduction in customer trading volumes and a lower per share average commission. This decrease was offset by an increase in fees earned related to the Company's acquisition of ATM. Customer trading volumes across the industry (according to Bloomberg) decreased 24% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period.

Management Fees

Management fees decreased$9.3 million to $28.5 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $37.8 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This was primarily attributable to a) our healthcare royalty funds, for which fees decreased in the current year due to an increase in committed capital in the prior year that resulted in recognizing cumulative retrospective management fees and b) a reclassification of the management fees from the Value and Opportunity business, subsequent to the April 2011 restructuring, which is now recorded in other income (loss).  There was also an increase in management fees associated with our Global Credit fund.

Incentive Income

Incentive income decreased$0.5 million to $2.7 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with $3.2 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This was primarily a result of a reclassification of the performance fees from the Value and Opportunity business, subsequent to the April 2011 restructuring, which is now recorded in other income (loss). This was partially offset by an increase in performance fees earned on our Global Credit fund.

Interest and Dividends

Interest and dividends decreased$6.5 million to $14.8 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $21.3 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This was primarily attributable to a decrease in the number of investments in interest bearing securities during 2012 as compared to 2011.

Reimbursements from Affiliates

Reimbursements from affiliates increased$0.8 million to $3.8 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $3.0 millionfor the first nine months of 2011.

Other Revenues

Other revenues increased$1.2 million to $2.4 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $1.2 millionfor the first nine months of 2011.

Consolidated Funds Revenues

Consolidated Funds revenues decreased$0.1 million to $0.5 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $0.6 millionfor the first nine months of 2011.

Expenses

Employee Compensation and Benefits

Employee compensation and benefits expenses increased$4.8 million to $137.1 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $132.3 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This was primarily attributable to an increase in the amortization of deferred compensation, severance expense and investments in new professionals which was partially offset by lower variable compensation. The compensation to revenue ratio, based on total revenues only, was 79% for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with 72%for the first nine months of 2011. The increase in the

60

compensation to revenue ratio resulted from a 4% increase in total compensation combined with a 6% decrease in total revenues. The compensation to revenue ratio, including other income (loss), was 63% for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with 64%for the first nine months of 2011. Average headcount increased 1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the first nine months of 2011.

Interest and Dividends

Interest and dividends expense decreased$0.7 million to $6.9 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $7.6 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. Interest and dividends expense relates to trading activity with respect to the Company's investments and, in 2011, also related to the interest on our credit facility (which was fully repaid and terminated in June 2011).

General, Administrative and Other Expenses

General, administrative and other expenses decreased$14.0 million to $87.9 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $101.9 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This was primarily due to:

•professional fees incurred in the prior year quarter for

◦syndication costs related to a capital raise by an alternative investment asset fund,

◦the LaBranche acquisition and Value and Opportunity business restructuring,

◦closing of acquisitions of Luxembourg reinsurance companies and

•a decrease in service fees related to cost cutting efforts made in 2011 to reduce excess services.

These cost savings were partially offset by an expense reversal, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 of an accrual pertaining to subordination agreements entered into by the general partners of two real estate funds with those funds lead investor.

Consolidated Funds Expenses

Consolidated Funds expenses decreased$1.3 million to $1.3 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $2.6 millionfor the first nine months of 2011.

Other Income (Loss)

Other income (loss) increased$22.1 million to $43.4 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $21.3 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. The increase primarily relates to an increase in the Company's own invested capital driven by increases in performance in certain investment strategies including our activist, credit and event driven strategies and is partially offset by a $22.2 million bargain purchase gain, recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, in relation to the acquisition with LaBranche. A decrease in the Consolidated Funds' performance was mainly related to the performance of Enterprise Master driven by a decrease in performance of its private investments. The gains and losses shown under Consolidated Funds reflect the consolidated total performance for such funds, and the portion of those gains or losses that are attributable to other investors is allocated to redeemable non-controlling interests.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) decreased from a benefit of $18.2 million to an expense of $0.5 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with an income tax benefit of $17.7 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. The Company's tax expense increased predominantly because a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, as part of a reinsurance service program, acquired a Luxembourg reinsurance company with deferred tax liabilities. Pursuant to an Advance Tax Agreement, a deferred tax benefit upon the acquisition of this reinsurance company during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was recorded.

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

As a result of the LaBranche subsidiaries not meeting the Company's expectations as to their results of operations and not generating positive cash flows, the Company's management decided, during the fourth quarter of 2011, to exit the business operated by these subsidiaries. In accordance with US GAAP, the Company reclassified and reported the results of operations related to these subsidiaries in discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Income (Loss) Attributable to Redeemable Non-controlling Interests

Income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests decreased by $3.7 million to a loss of $1.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with income of $2.5 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. The period over period change was the result of an overall decrease in performance of the Consolidated Funds and therefore more allocations of losses to non-controlling interest holders.

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Segment Analysis and Economic Income (Loss)

Segments

The Company conducts its operations through two segments: an alternative investment segment and a broker-dealer segment. The Company's alternative investment segment currently includes its hedge funds, replication products, managed futures funds, fund of funds, real estate, cash management services, and mortgage advisory services and other investment platforms businesses, as well as Healthcare Royalty Partners, which was a legacy Cowen Group operating business prior to the 2009 transactions between Ramius and Cowen. The Company's broker-dealer segment currently includes its investment banking, brokerage and equity research businesses. The condensed consolidated financial results of the Company for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2011 excludes LaBranche's operating results related to its ETF market-making business from the date of acquisition since these results are determined to be discontinued operations and excluded from economic income.

Economic Income (Loss)

The performance measure used by the Company for each segment is Economic Income (Loss), which management uses to evaluate the financial performance of and make operating decisions for the firm as a whole and each segment. Accordingly, management assesses its business by analyzing the performance of each segment and believes that investors should review the same performance measure that it uses to analyze its segment and business performance. In addition, management believes that Economic Income (Loss) is helpful to gain an understanding of its segment results of operations because it reflects such results on a consistent basis for all periods presented.

Our Economic Income (Loss) may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We use Economic Income (Loss) as a measure of each segment's operating performance, not as a measure of liquidity. Economic Income (Loss) should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income, operating cash flows, investing and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with US GAAP. As a result of the adjustments made to arrive at Economic Income (Loss), Economic Income (Loss) has limitations in that it does not take into account certain items included or excluded under US GAAP, including our Consolidated Funds. Economic Income (Loss) is considered by management as a supplemental measure to the US GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of each segment's performance as measured by management. For a reconciliation of Economic Income (Loss) to US GAAP net income (loss) for the periods presented and additional information regarding the reconciling adjustments discussed above, see Note 18 to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements included in this 10-Q.

In general, Economic Income (Loss) is a pre-tax measure that (i) eliminates the impact of consolidation for consolidated funds, (ii) excludes equity award expense related to the November 2009 Ramius/Cowen transaction, (iii) excludes certain other acquisition-related and/or reorganization expenses (including the discontinued operations of LaBranche) and (iv) excludes the bargain purchase gain which resulted from the LaBranche acquisition. In addition, Economic Income (Loss) revenues include investment income that represents the income the Company has earned in investing its own capital, including realized and unrealized gains and losses, interest and dividends, net of associated investment related expenses. For US GAAP purposes, these items are included in each of their respective line items. Economic Income (Loss) revenues also include management fees, incentive income and investment income earned through the Company's investment as a general partner in certain real estate entities and the Company's investment in the Value and Opportunity business. For US GAAP purposes, all of these items are recorded in other income (loss). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) expenses are reduced by reimbursement from affiliates, which for US GAAP purposes is presented gross as part of revenue.

Economic Income (Loss) Revenues

The Company's principal sources of Economic Income (Loss) revenues are derived from activities in the following business segments:

Our alternative investment segment generates Economic Income (Loss) revenues through three principal sources: management fees, incentive income and investment income from our own capital. Management fees are directly impacted by any increase or decrease in assets under management, while incentive income is impacted by our funds' performance and resulting increase or decrease in assets under management. Investment income from the Company's own capital is impacted by the performance of the funds and other securities in which our capital is invested. The Company periodically receives other Economic Income (Loss) revenue which is unrelated to our own invested capital or our activities on behalf of the Company's funds.

Our broker-dealer segment generates Economic Income (Loss) revenues through two principal sources: investment banking and brokerage. The Company earns investment banking revenue primarily from fees associated with public and private capital raising transactions and providing strategic advisory services. Investment banking revenues are derived primarily from

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small and mid-capitalization companies within the Company's target sectors of healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, consumer, aerospace and defense, industrials, REITs and alternative energy. The Company's brokerage revenues consist of commissions, principal transactions and fees paid for equity research. Management reviews brokerage revenue on a combined basis as the vast majority of the revenue is derived from the same group of clients. The Company derives its brokerage revenue primarily from trading equity and equity-linked securities on behalf of institutional investors. The majority of the Company's trading gains and losses are a result of activities that support the facilitation of client orders in both listed and over-the-counter securities, although all trading gains and losses are recorded in brokerage in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Economic Income (Loss) Expenses

The Company's Economic Income expenses consist of compensation and benefits, non-compensation expenses—fixed and non-compensation expenses—variable, less reimbursement from affiliates.

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling interests represent the pro rata share of the income or loss of the non-wholly owned consolidated entities attributable to the other owners of such entities.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company's alternative investment segment includes hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures fund, fund of funds, real estate, healthcare royalty funds, cash management and mortgage advisory services, Healthcare Royalty Partners's operating results and other investment platforms operating results.

For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company's broker-dealer segment includes investment banking, research and brokerage businesses' operating results.

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2012									2011									Total Period-to-Period
	Alternative Investment						Total 2012			Alternative Investment						Total 2011
				Broker-Dealer (a)									Broker-Dealer (a)						$ Change			% Change
	(dollars in thousands)
Economic Income Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	18,666		$	18,666		$	—		$	10,816		$	10,816		$	7,850		73	%
Brokerage	—			22,701			22,701			306			25,364			25,670			(2,969		)	(12	)%
Management fees	13,426			—			13,426			18,476			—			18,476			(5,050		)	(27	)%
Incentive income (loss)	1,699			—			1,699			(643		)	—			(643		)	2,342			(364	)%
Investment income (loss)	6,864			2,288			9,152			(13,795		)	(3,233		)	(17,028		)	26,180			(154	)%
Other revenues	168			213			381			41			(128		)	(87		)	468			(538	)%
Total economic income revenues	22,157			43,868			66,025			4,385			32,819			37,204			28,821			77	%
Economic Income Expenses
Compensation and benefits	11,759			34,490			46,249			10,724			31,474			42,198			4,051			10	%
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	8,657			15,490			24,147			7,497			18,497			25,994			(1,847		)	(7	)%
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	1,433			4,287			5,720			4,315			5,610			9,925			(4,205		)	(42	)%
Reimbursement from affiliates	(1,467		)	—			(1,467		)	(1,028		)	—			(1,028		)	(439		)	43	%
Total economic income expenses	20,382			54,267			74,649			21,508			55,581			77,089			(2,440		)	(3	)%
Net economic income (loss) (before non-controlling interest)	1,775			(10,399		)	(8,624		)	(17,123		)	(22,762		)	(39,885		)	31,261			(78	)%
Non-controlling interest	(301		)	—			(301		)	(810		)	—			(810		)	509			(63	)%
Economic income (loss)	$	1,474		$	(10,399	)	$	(8,925	)	$	(17,933	)	$	(22,762	)	$	(40,695	)	$	31,770		(78	)%

(a) For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company has reflected $2.3 million and ($5.1) million of investment income, respectively, and related compensation expense of $0.8 million and ($1.7) million, respectively, within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

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Economic Income (Loss) Revenues

Total Economic Income (Loss) revenues were $66.0 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, an increase of $28.8 million compared to Economic Income (Loss) revenues of $37.2 million in the prior year quarter. For purposes of the following section, all references to revenue refer to Economic Income (Loss) revenues.

Alternative Investment Segment

Alternative investment segment Economic Income (Loss) revenues were $22.2 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, an increase of $17.8 million compared to Economic Income (Loss) of $4.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Management Fees.    Management fees for the segment decreased$5.1 million to $13.4 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $18.5 million in the prior year quarter. There was a decline in management fees attributable to our healthcare royalty funds, for which fees decreased in the current period due to an increase in committed capital, in the prior period, that resulted in recognizing cumulative retrospective management fees.This decrease was partially offset by an increase in management fees relating to our hedge fund products, specifically our Value and Opportunity funds (even after giving effect to the restructuring of the Value and Opportunity business in the second quarter of 2011).

Incentive Income (Loss).    Incentive income for the segment increased$2.3 million to $1.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with a loss of $0.6 million in the prior year quarter. This increase was primarily a result of an increase in performance fees earned on our Global Credit fund, partially offset by a decrease in performance fees earned on our real estate funds.

Investment Income (Loss).    Investment income for the segment increased$20.7 million to $6.9 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with an loss of $13.8 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily related to an increase in performance of the Company's own invested capital driven by increases in performance in certain investment strategies including our activist, credit and event driven strategies.

Other Revenues.    Other revenues for the segment increased$0.1 million to $0.2 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with income of $0.1 million in the prior year quarter.

Broker-Dealer Segment

Broker-dealer segment Economic Income (Loss) revenues were $43.9 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, an increase of $11.0 million compared with Economic Income (Loss) revenues of $32.8 million in the prior year quarter.

Investment Banking.    Investment banking revenues increased$7.9 million to $18.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $10.8 million in the prior year quarter. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company completed 10 underwriting transactions, one private capital raising transaction, three debt capital market transactions and one strategic advisory transaction. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company completed five underwriting transactions, two private capital raising transactions, three strategic advisory transactions, and two debt financing transactions.

Brokerage.    Brokerage revenues decreased$2.7 million to $22.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with $25.4 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily attributable to lower commission revenues due to a reduction in customer trading volumes and a lower per share average commission. This decrease was offset by an increase in fees earned related to the Company's acquisition of ATM. Customer trading volumes across the industry (according to Bloomberg) decreased 32% in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year quarter.

Investment Income (Loss).    Investment income for the segment increased$5.5 million to $2.3 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with a loss of $3.2 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily a result of an increase in performance of the Company's trading strategy.

Economic Income Expenses

Compensation and Benefits.    Total compensation and benefits expense increased$4.0 million to $46.2 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with $42.2 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily attributable to an increase in the amortization of deferred compensation, severance expense and investments in new professionals which was partially offset by lower variable compensation. The compensation to revenue ratio was 70% for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared to 113% for the prior year quarter. The decrease in the compensation to revenue ratio resulted from a 10% increase in total compensation combined with a 77% increase in revenues compared to the prior year quarter. Average headcount for 2012 decreased by 7% from the prior year quarter.

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Compensation and benefits expenses for the alternative investment segment increased$1.1 million to $11.8 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $10.7 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily attributable to an increase in the amortization of deferred compensation, investments in new professionals and higher variable compensation. The compensation to revenue ratio was 53% for three months endedSeptember 30, 2012. The compensation to revenue ratio in the prior year quarter was not meaningful due to the fact that the segment had minimal economic revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Compensation and benefits expenses for the broker-dealer segment increased$3.0 million to $34.5 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $31.5 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily attributable to an increase in the amortization of deferred compensation, severance expense and investments in new professionals partially offset by lower variable compensation. The compensation to revenue ratio was 79% for three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with 96% in the prior year quarter.

Non-compensation Expenses—Fixed.    Fixed non-compensation expenses decreased$1.9 million to $24.1 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $26.0 million in the prior year quarter. This decrease was primarily related to a decrease in service fees and occupancy and equipment expenses related to cost cutting efforts made near the end of 2011 to reduce excess services and space. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in other costs relating to the real estate business and the Value and Opportunity business (subsequent to the restructuring in the second quarter of 2011).

Fixed non-compensation expenses for the alternative investment segment increased$1.2 million to $8.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $7.5 million in the prior year quarter. Fixed non-compensation expenses for the broker-dealer segment decreased$3.0 million to $15.5 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $18.5 million in the prior year quarter.

The following table shows the components of the non-compensation expenses—fixed, for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Period-to-Period
	2012		2011		$ Change			% Change
	(dollars in thousands)
Non-compensation expenses—fixed:
Interest expense	$	131	$	183	$	(52	)	(28	)%
Professional, advisory and other fees	2,981		4,034		(1,053		)	(26	)%
Occupancy and equipment	5,512		6,217		(705		)	(11	)%
Depreciation and amortization	2,421		2,421		—			—	%
Service fees	2,778		3,818		(1,040		)	(27	)%
Other	10,324		9,321		1,003			11	%
Total	$	24,147	$	25,994	$	(1,847	)	(7	)%

Non-compensation Expenses—Variable.    Variable non-compensation expenses, which primarily are comprised of expenses which are incurred as a direct result of the processing and soliciting of revenue generating activities, decreased$4.2 million to $5.7 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $9.9 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to syndication costs related to a capital raise by an alternative investment asset fund in the third quarter of 2011 and professional fees that were incurred in the prior year quarter relating to the potential acquisitions of Luxembourg reinsurance companies.

The following table shows the components of the non-compensation expenses—variable, for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Period-to-Period
	2012		2011		$ Change			% Change
	(dollars in thousands)
Non-compensation expenses—Variable:
Floor brokerage and trade execution	$	1,789	$	3,117	$	(1,328	)	(43	)%
Healthcare Royalty Partners syndication costs	—		1,546		(1,546		)	(100	)%
Expenses related to Luxembourg reinsurance companies	748		2,056		(1,308		)	(64	)%
Marketing and business development	3,183		3,206		(23		)	(1	)%
Total	$	5,720	$	9,925	$	(4,205	)	(42	)%

Reimbursement from Affiliates.    Reimbursements from affiliates, which relate to the alternative investment segment,

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increased$0.5 million to $1.5 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $1.0 million in the prior year quarter.

Non-Controlling Interest.    Non-Controlling interest represents the portion of the net income or loss attributable to certain non-wholly owned subsidiaries that is allocated to other investors.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012									2011									Total Period-to-Period
	Alternative Investment						Total 2012			Alternative Investment						Total 2011
				Broker-Dealer (a)									Broker-Dealer (a)						$ Change			% Change
	(dollars in thousands)
Economic Income Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	50,550		$	50,550		$	—		$	39,841		$	39,841		$	10,709		27	%
Brokerage	—			71,282			71,282			380			77,488			77,868			(6,586		)	(8	)%
Management fees	42,032			—			42,032			48,062			—			48,062			(6,030		)	(13	)%
Incentive income (loss)	8,303			—			8,303			10,217			—			10,217			(1,914		)	(19	)%
Investment income (loss)	30,361			8,182			38,543			20,027			2,854			22,881			15,662			68	%
Other revenues	508			186			694			1,015			(529		)	486			208			43	%
Total economic income revenues	81,204			130,200			211,404			79,701			119,654			199,355			12,049			6	%
Economic Income Expenses
Compensation and benefits	42,705			91,098			133,803			41,595			85,707			127,302			6,501			5	%
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	24,216			45,810			70,026			23,320			50,972			74,292			(4,266		)	(6	)%
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	3,881			15,852			19,733			13,002			18,377			31,379			(11,646		)	(37	)%
Reimbursement from affiliates	(4,018		)	—			(4,018		)	(3,186		)	—			(3,186		)	(832		)	26	%
Total economic income expenses	66,784			152,760			219,544			74,731			155,056			229,787			(10,243		)	(4	)%
Net economic income (loss) (before non-controlling interest)	14,420			(22,560		)	(8,140		)	4,970			(35,402		)	(30,432		)	22,292			(73	)%
Non-controlling interest	(900		)	—			(900		)	(2,750		)	—			(2,750		)	1,850			(67	)%
Economic income (loss)	$	13,520		$	(22,560	)	$	(9,040	)	$	2,220		$	(35,402	)	$	(33,182	)	$	24,142		(73	)%

(a) For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company has reflected $8.2 million and $1.3 million of investment income, respectively, and related compensation expense of $2.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively, within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

Economic Income (Loss) Revenues

Total Economic Income (Loss) revenues were $211.4 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, an increase of $12.0 million compared to Economic Income (Loss) revenues of $199.4 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. For purposes of the following section, all references to revenue refer to Economic Income (Loss) revenues.

Alternative Investment Segment

Alternative investment segment Economic Income (Loss) revenues was $81.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, an increase of $1.5 million compared to Economic Income (Loss) revenues of $79.7 millionfor the first nine months of 2011.

Management Fees.    Management fees for the segment decreased$6.1 million to $42.0 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $48.1 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. There was a decline in management fees attributable to our healthcare royalty funds, for which fees decreased in the current period due to an increase in committed capital, in the prior period, that resulted in recognizing cumulative retrospective management fees.This decrease was partially offset by an increase in management fees relating to our hedge fund products, specifically our Value and Opportunity funds (even after giving effect to the restructuring of the Value and Opportunity business in the second quarter of 2011).There was also an increase in management fees associated with our Global Credit fund.

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Incentive Income (Loss).    Incentive income for the segment decreased$1.9 million to $8.3 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $10.2 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This decrease was primarily a result of a decrease in performance fees earned on our real estate funds. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in performance fees relating to our hedge fund products, specifically our Value and Opportunity funds(even after giving effect to the restructuring of the Value and Opportunity business in the second quarter of 2011) and our Global Credit fund. 

Investment Income (Loss).    Investment income for the segment increased$10.4 million to $30.4 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with $20.0 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. The increase was primarily related to an increase in performance of the Company's own invested capital driven by increases in performance in certain investment strategies including our activist, credit and event driven strategies. This was partially offset by the recognition of a deferred tax benefit in the second quarter of 2011 of $18.3 million.

Other Revenues.    Other revenues for the segment decreased$0.5 million to $0.5 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with $1.0 millionfor the first nine months of 2011.

Broker-Dealer Segment

Broker-dealer segment economic income revenues were $130.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, an increase of $10.5 million compared with economic income revenues of $119.7 millionfor the first nine months of 2011.

Investment Banking.    Investment banking revenues increased$10.8 million to $50.6 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $39.8 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, the Company completed 37 underwriting transactions, five private capital raising transactions, seven debt capital market transactions and three strategic advisory transactions. During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2011, the Company completed 25 underwriting transactions, five private capital raising transactions, seven strategic advisory transactions and three debt financing transactions.

Brokerage.    Brokerage revenues decreased$6.2 million to $71.3 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with $77.5 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This was primarily attributable to lower commission revenues due to a reduction in customer trading volumes and a lower per share average commission. This decrease was offset by an increase in fees earned related to the Company's acquisition of ATM. Customer trading volumes across the industry (according to Bloomberg) decreased 24% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period.

Investment Income (Loss).    Investment income for the segment increased$5.3 million to $8.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with $2.9 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. The increase is a result of higher average equity held in the broker dealer.

Economic Income (Loss) Expenses

Compensation and Benefits.    Total compensation and benefits expense increased$6.5 million to $133.8 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared with $127.3 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the amortization of deferred compensation, severance expense and investments in new professionals which was partially offset by lower variable compensation. The compensation to revenue ratio was 63% for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared to 64% for the prior year period. The decrease in the compensation to revenue ratio resulted from a 5% increase in total compensation offset by a 6% increase in revenues compared to the prior year period. Average headcount increased 1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the first nine months of 2011.

Compensation and benefits expenses for the alternative investment segment increased$1.1 million to $42.7 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $41.6 million for the first nine months of 2011. This was primarily attributable to an increase in the amortization of deferred compensation and investments in new professionals. This was partially offset by lower variable compensation and reduced costs subsequent to the Value and Opportunity business restructuring in the second quarter of 2011. The compensation to revenue ratio was 53% for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, compared to 52% for the prior year period.

Compensation and benefits expenses for the broker-dealer segment increased$5.4 million to $91.1 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $85.7 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the amortization of deferred compensation, severance expense and investments in new professionals which was partially offset by lower variable compensation. The compensation to revenue ratio was 70% for nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with 72% for the prior year period.

Non-compensation Expenses—Fixed.    Fixed non-compensation expenses decreased$4.3 million to $70.0 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $74.3 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. This decrease was

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primarily related to a decrease in service fees and occupancy and equipment expenses related to cost cutting efforts made near the end of 2011 to reduce excess services and space. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in other costs relating to the real estate business and the Value and Opportunity business (subsequent to the restructuring in the second quarter of 2011).

Fixed non-compensation expenses for the alternative investment segment increased$0.9 million to $24.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $23.3 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. Fixed non-compensation expenses for the broker-dealer segment decreased$5.2 million to $45.8 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $51.0 million in for the first nine months of 2011.

The following table shows the components of the non-compensation expenses—fixed, for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Period-to-Period
	2012		2011		$ Change			% Change
	(dollars in thousands)
Non-compensation expenses—fixed:
Interest expense	$	278	$	618	$	(340	)	(55	)%
Professional, advisory and other fees	9,391		10,480		(1,089		)	(10	)%
Occupancy and equipment	15,265		17,506		(2,241		)	(13	)%
Depreciation and amortization	6,936		6,490		446			7	%
Service fees	8,156		11,794		(3,638		)	(31	)%
Other	30,000		27,404		2,596			9	%
Total	$	70,026	$	74,292	$	(4,266	)	(6	)%

Non-compensation Expenses—Variable.    Variable non-compensation expenses, which primarily are comprised of expenses which are incurred as a direct result of the processing and soliciting of revenue generating activities, decreased$11.7 million to $19.7 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $31.4 millionfor the first nine months of 2011. The decrease was primarily due to syndication costs related to a capital raise by an alternative investment asset fund in the third quarter of 2011, professional fees that were incurred in the prior year quarter relating to the potential acquisitions of Luxembourg reinsurance companies and decreased conference related expenses.

The following table shows the components of the non-compensation expenses—variable, for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Period-to-Period
	2012		2011		$ Change			% Change
	(dollars in thousands)
Non-compensation expenses—Variable:
Floor brokerage and trade execution	$	7,367	$	8,825	$	(1,458	)	(17	)%
Healthcare Royalty Partners syndication costs	—		4,244		(4,244		)	(100	)%
Expenses related to Luxembourg reinsurance companies	2,093		6,918		(4,825		)	(70	)%
Marketing and business development	10,273		11,392		(1,119		)	(10	)%
Total	$	19,733	$	31,379	$	(11,646	)	(37	)%

Reimbursement from Affiliates.    Reimbursements from affiliates, which relate to the alternative investment segment, increased$0.8 million to $4.0 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 compared with $3.2 millionfor the first nine months of 2011.

Non-Controlling Interest.    Non-Controlling interest represents the portion of the net income or loss attributable to certain non-wholly owned subsidiaries that is allocated to other investors.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We continually monitor our liquidity position. The working capital needs of the Company's business have been met through current levels of equity capital, current cash and cash equivalents, and anticipated cash generated from our operating activities, including management fees, incentive income, returns on the Company's own capital, investment banking fees and brokerage commissions. The Company expects that its primary working capital liquidity needs over the next twelve months will be:

• pay our operating expenses, primarily consisting of compensation and benefits and general and administrative expenses; and

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• provide capital to facilitate the growth of our existing business.

Based on our historical results, management's experience, our current business strategy and current assets under management, the Company believes that its existing cash resources will be sufficient to meet its anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months. Our cash reserves include cash, cash equivalents and assets readily convertible into cash such as our securities held in inventory. Securities inventories are stated at fair value and are generally readily marketable. As of September 30, 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents of $55.8 million, which includes $14.3 million held in foreign subsidiaries, and net liquid investment assets of $270.2 million.

The timing of cash bonus payments to our employees may significantly affect our cash position and liquidity from period to period. While our employees are generally paid salaries semi-monthly during the year, cash bonus payments, which can make up a significant portion of total compensation, are generally paid once a year in February.

As discussed in “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Certain Factors Impacting Our Business” we entered into a modification agreement with affiliates of Unicredit S.p.A in May 2010 and it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's liquidity and capital resources.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had unfunded commitments of$6.4 millionpertaining to capital commitments intworeal estate investments held by the Company, all of which pertain to related party investments. Such commitments can be called at any time, subject to advance notice. The Company, as a limited partner of the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds and also as a member of Healthcare Royalty Partners General Partner, has committed to invest $42.2 millionin the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds which are managed by Healthcare Royalty Management. This commitment is expected to be called over atwo tofive year period. The Company will make its pro-rata investment in the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds along with the other limited partners. ThroughSeptember 30, 2012, the Company has funded$26.3 million towards these commitments. In April 2011, the Company committed$15.0 millionto Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP, which may increase or decrease over time with the performance of Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP. As ofSeptember 30, 2012, the Company's unfunded commitment to Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP is $2.9 million.

Due to the nature of the securities business and our role as a market-maker and execution agent, the amount of our cash and short-term investments, as well as operating cash flow, may vary considerably due to a number of factors, including the dollar value of our positions as principal, whether we are net buyers or sellers of securities, the dollar volume of executions by our customers and clearing house requirements, among others. Certain regulatory requirements constrain the use of a portion of our liquid assets for financing, investing or operating activities. Similarly, due to the nature of our business lines, the capital necessary to maintain current operations and our current funding needs subject our cash and cash equivalents to different requirements and uses.

As registered broker‑dealers, Cowen and Company, Cowen Capital LLC (formerly known as LaBranche Capital, LLC) and ATM USA are subject to the SEC's Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the “Rule”), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Under the alternative method permitted by the Rule, Cowen and Company's minimum net capital requirement, as defined, is$1.0 million. Under the basic method permitted by the Rule, Cowen Capital LLC is required to maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equivalent to the greater of $1.0 million or 6.667%of aggregate indebtedness.ATM USA is required to maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equivalent to the greater of$5,000 or 6.6670%of aggregate indebtedness.The broker-dealers are not permitted to withdraw equity if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. As of September 30, 2012, Cowen and Company had total net capital of approximately$31.1 million, which was approximately $30.1 million in excess of its minimum net capital requirement of$1 million. As of September 30, 2012, Cowen Capital, LLC had total net capital of approximately$3.1 million, which was approximately $2.1 millionin excess of its minimum net capital requirement of$1.0 million. As of September 30, 2012, ATM USA had total net capital of approximately $0.6 millionwhich was approximately $0.5 millionin excess of its minimum net capital requirement of $0.1 million.

Cowen and Company, Cowen Capital LLC and ATM USA are exempt from the provisions of Rule 15c3-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as its activities are limited to those set forth in the conditions for exemption appearing in paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of the Rule.

Proprietary accounts of introducing brokers (“PAIB”) held at the clearing broker are considered allowable assets for net capital purposes, pursuant to agreements between Cowen and Company and Cowen Capital LLC and the clearing broker, which require, among other things, that the clearing broker performs computations for PAIB and segregates certain balances on behalf of Cowen and Company and Cowen Capital LLC, if applicable.

Ramius UK Ltd. (“Ramius UK”) and Cowen International Limited (“CIL”) are subject to the capital requirements of the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) of the UK. Financial Resources, as defined, must exceed the requirement of the FSA. As of September 30, 2012, Ramius UK's Financial Resources of$0.6 millionexceeded its minimum requirement of$0.2 million by $0.4 million. As of September 30, 2012, CIL's Financial Resources of$4.5 millionexceeded its minimum requirement of

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$2.3 million by $2.2 million.

Cowen and Company (Asia) Limited (“CCAL”) (formerly known as Cowen Latitude Advisors Limited) is subject to the financial resources requirements of the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) of Hong Kong. Financial Resources, as defined, must exceed the Total Financial Resources requirement of the SFC. As of September 30, 2012, CCAL's Financial Resources of $0.7 millionexceeded the minimum requirement of $0.4 million by $0.3 million.

The Company may also incur additional indebtedness or raise additional capital under certain circumstances to respond to market opportunities and challenges. Current market conditions may make it more difficult or costly to borrow additional funds or raise additional capital.

The Company uses securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“Repurchase Agreements”) as part of its liquidity management activities and to support its trading and risk management activities. In particular, securities purchased and sold under Repurchase Agreements are used for short-term liquidity purposes. As of September 30, 2012, Repurchase Agreements are secured predominantly by liquid corporate credit and/or government-issued securities. The use of Repurchase Agreements will fluctuate with the Company's need to fund short term credit or obtain competitive short term credit financing. The Company's securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were transacted pursuant to agreements with multiple counterparties as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

There were no material differences between the average and period-end balances of the Company's Repurchase Agreements. The following table represents the Company's securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

	As of September 30, 2012
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Agreements with Royal Bank of Canada bearing interest of 2.12% - 2.2% due on October 2, 2012 to June 25, 2013	29,039
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of 0.25% - 0.27% due on October 1, 2012	94,800
	$	123,839

	As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of (0.38%) - 0.25% due on January 3, 2012	$	166,260
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Agreements with Royal Bank of Canada bearing interest of 1.53% - 1.58% due on January 3, 2012 to June 25, 2012	49,450
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of 0.03% - 0.08% due on January 3, 2012	179,333
	$	228,783

For all of the Company's holdings of Repurchase Agreements as of September 30, 2012, the repurchase dates are open and the agreement can be terminated by either party at any time. The agreements continue on a day-to-day basis.

Cash Flows Analysis

The Company's primary sources of cash are derived from its operating activities, fees and realized returns on its own invested capital. The Company's primary uses of cash include compensation and general and administrative expenses.

Operating Activities.    Net cash used by operating activities of $103.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 was predominately related to a) cash paid related to an increase in cash held at other brokers, b) cash used to pay for year end bonuses and c) cash used to purchase short sales and cover short investments partially offset by cash received from sales of securities held at the broker dealer. Net cash provided by operating activities of $335.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was predominately related to an increase in amounts receivable from brokers, cash acquired upon the acquisition of LaBranche and proceeds from sales of other investments related to proprietary capital, partially offset by cash used to pay for year end bonuses included in compensation.

Investing Activities.    Net cash provided by investing activities of $159.2 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 was primarily related to increase repurchase agreement activity partially offset by cash used for an acquisition. Net cash used in investing activities of $150.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily from increased repurchase agreement activity.

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Financing Activities.    Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 of $129.2 million was primarily related to increase repurchase agreement activity, the purchase of treasury stock and payment by the consolidated funds to investors for capital withdrawals. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $137.4 million primarily related to an increase repurchase agreement activity, repayments on short-term borrowings and other debt and payments by the Consolidated Funds to investors for capital withdrawals.

Short-Term Borrowings and other debt

The Company entered into several capital leases for computer equipment during the fourth quarter of 2010. These leases amount to$6.3 millionand are recorded in fixed assets and as capital lease obligations, which are included in short-term borrowings and other debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, and have lease terms that range from48 to 60months and interest rates that range from 0.60% to 6.14%. As ofSeptember 30, 2012, the remaining balance on these capital leases was$4.3 million. Interest expense for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and was$0.1 million and $0.1 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company hasfourirrevocable letters of credit, for which there is cash collateral pledged, including (i)$82,000, which expires on May 12, 2013, supporting the Company's San Francisco office, (ii) $1.2 millionwhich expires on September 3, 2013, supporting the Company's lease of additional office space in New York, (iii)$6.7 million, which expires December 12, 2012, supporting the lease of office space in New York which the Company pays a fee on the stated amount of the letter of credit and (iv)$1 millionwhich expires February 22, 2013, supporting the lease of additional office space in New York.

To the extent any letter of credit is drawn upon, interest will be assessed at the prime commercial lending rate. As ofSeptember 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no amounts due related to these letters of credit.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2012. However, through indemnification provisions in our clearing agreement, customer activities may expose us to off-balance-sheet credit risk. Pursuant to the clearing agreement, we are required to reimburse our clearing broker, without limit, for any losses incurred due to a counterparty's failure to satisfy its contractual obligations. However, these transactions are collateralized by the underlying security, thereby reducing the associated risk to changes in the market value of the security through the settlement date.

Cowen and Company, Cowen Capital LLC (formerly known as Labranche Capital, LLC), Labranche & Co. LLC, Cowen Structured Holdings LLC (formerly known as Labranche and Co Inc.) are members of various securities exchanges. Under the standard membership agreement, members are required to guarantee the performance of other members and, accordingly, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the exchange, all other members would be required to meet the shortfall. Cowen and Company's liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities it has posted as collateral. However, management believes that the potential for Cowen and Company to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no contingent liability is carried in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for these arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Critical accounting policies are those that require the Company to make significant judgments, estimates or assumptions that affect amounts reported in its consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto. The Company bases its judgments, estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that the Company believes to be reasonable and prudent. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

The following is a summary of what the Company believes to be its most critical accounting policies and estimates.

Consolidation

These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries, and entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest, including the Consolidated Funds, in which the Company has a controlling general partner interest. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s funds are not subject to these consolidation provisions with respect to their investments pursuant to their specialized accounting.

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of the Consolidated Funds on a gross basis. The management fees and incentive income earned by the Company from the Consolidated Funds were eliminated in consolidation; however, the Company’s allocated share of net income from these funds

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was increased by the amount of this eliminated income. Hence, the consolidation of these funds had no net effect on the Company’s net earnings.

Valuation of investments and derivative contracts

US GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). Thethreelevels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has

the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2     Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including

inputs in markets that are not considered to be active; and

Level 3 Fair value is determined based on pricing inputs that are unobservable and includes situations where there is little,

if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The determination of fair value for assets and liabilities in this

category requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Inputs are used in applying the various valuation techniques and broadly refer to the assumptions that market participants use to make valuation decisions, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may include price information, volatility statistics, specific and broad credit data, liquidity statistics, and other factors. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. However, the determination of what constitutes “observable” requires significant judgment by the Company. The Company considers observable data to be that market data which is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market. The categorization of a financial instrument within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the instrument and does not necessarily correspond to the Company's perceived risk of that instrument.

The Company and its operating company subsidiaries act as the manager for the Consolidated Funds. Both the Company and the Consolidated Funds hold certain investments which are valued by the Company, acting as the investment manager. The fair value of these investments is generally estimated based on proprietary models developed by the Company, which include discounted cash flow analysis, public market comparables, and other techniques and may be based, at least in part, on independently sourced market information. The material estimates and assumptions used in these models include the timing and expected amount of cash flows, the appropriateness of discount rates used, and, in some cases, the ability to execute, timing of, and estimated proceeds from expected financings. Significant judgment and estimation goes into the selection of an appropriate valuation methodology as well as the assumptions used in these models, and the timing and actual values realized with respect to investments could be materially different from values derived based on the use of those estimates. The valuation methodologies applied impact the reported value of the Company's investments and the investments held by the Consolidated Funds in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Certain of the Company's investments are relatively illiquid or thinly traded and may not be immediately liquidated on demand if needed. Fair values assigned to these investments may differ significantly from the fair values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed and such differences could be material.

The Company primarily uses the “market approach” to value its financial instruments measured at fair value. In determining an instrument's level within the hierarchy, the Company separates the Company's financial instruments intothreecategories: securities, derivative contracts and other investments. To the extent applicable, each of these categories can further be divided between those held long or sold short.

Securities— Securities whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, and are therefore classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, include active listed equities, certain U.S. government and sovereign obligations, ETF's and certain money market securities. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Certain positions for which there is a limited market, consisting primarily of convertible debt, corporate debt and loans, are stated at fair value. The estimated fair values assigned by management are determined in good faith and are based on available information considering, among other things, quotations provided by published pricing services, counterparties and other market participants, and pricing models using quoted inputs, and do not necessarily represent the amounts which might ultimately be realized. Such positions that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources which are supported by observable inputs are classified within

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level 2. As level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets and/or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability.

Derivative contracts—Derivative contracts can be exchange‑traded or privately negotiated over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange‑traded derivatives, such as futures contracts and exchange traded option contracts, are typically classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether or not they are deemed to be actively traded. OTC derivatives, such as generic forwards, swaps and options, have inputs which can generally be corroborated by market data and are therefore classified within level 2. Futures, equity swaps and credit default swaps are included within other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and all other derivatives are included within securities owned, at fair value on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Other investments—Other investments consist primarily of portfolio funds, real estate investments and equity method investments, which are valued as follows:

i. Portfolio funds—Portfolio funds (“Portfolio Funds”) include interests in funds and investment companies managed by the Company or its affiliates. The Company follows US GAAP regarding fair value measurements and disclosures relating to investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent). The guidance permits, as a practical expedient, an entity holding investments in certain entities that either are investment companies as defined by the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, or have attributes similar to an investment company, and calculate net asset value per share or its equivalent for which the fair value is not readily determinable, to measure the fair value of such investments on the basis of that NAV per share, or its equivalent, without adjustment.

The Company categorizes its investments in Portfolio Funds within the fair value hierarchy dependent on its ability to redeem the investment. If the Company has the ability to redeem its investment at NAV at the measurement date or within the near term, the Portfolio Fund is categorized as a level 2 investment within the fair value hierarchy. If the Company does not know when it will have the ability to redeem its investment or cannot do so in the near term, the Portfolio Fund is categorized as a level 3 investment within the fair value hierarchy.See Notes 6 and 7 for further details of the Company's investments in Portfolio Funds.

ii. Real estate investments—Real estate investments are valued at fair value. The fair value of real estate investments are estimated based on the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between marketplace participants at the measurement date. Real estate investments without a public market are valued based on assumptions and valuation techniques used by the Company. Such valuation techniques may include discounted cash flow analysis, prevailing market capitalization rates or earnings multiples applied to earnings from the investment, analysis of recent comparable sales transactions, actual sale negotiations and bona fide purchase offers received from third parties, consideration of the amount that currently would be required to replace the asset, as adjusted for obsolescence, as well as independent external appraisals. In general, the Company considers several valuation techniques when measuring the fair value of a real estate investment. However, in certain circumstances, a single valuation technique may be appropriate. Real estate investments are reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Company for significant changes at the property level or a significant change in the overall market which would impact the value of the real estate investment resulting in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

The Company also reflects its real estate equity investments net of investment level financing. Valuation adjustments attributable to underlying financing arrangements are considered in the real estate equity valuation based on amounts at which the financing liabilities could be transferred to market participants at the measurement date.

Real estate and capital markets are cyclical in nature. Property and investment values are affected by, among other things, the availability of capital, occupancy rates, rental rates and interest and inflation rates. In addition, the Company invests in real estate and real estate related investments for which no liquid market exists. The market prices for such investments may be volatile and may not be readily ascertainable. Amounts ultimately realized by the Company from investments sold may differ from the fair values presented, and the differences could be material.

The Company's real estate investments are typically categorized as a level 3 investment within the fair value hierarchy as management uses significant unobservable inputs in determining their estimated fair value.

See Notes 6 and 7 for further information regarding the Company's investments, including equity method investments, and fair value measurements.

Revenue recognition

The Company's principal sources of revenue are derived from two segments: an alternative investment segment and a

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broker-dealer segment, as more fully described below.

Our alternative investment segment generates revenue through three principal sources: management fees, incentive income and investment income from our own capital.

Our broker-dealer segment generates revenue through two principal sources: investment banking and brokerage.

Management fees

The Company earns management fees from affiliated funds and certain managed accounts that it serves as the investment manager based on assets under management. The actual management fees received vary depending on distribution fees or fee splits paid to third parties either in connection with raising the assets or structuring the investment. Management fees are generally paid on a quarterly basis at the beginning of each quarter in arrears and are prorated for capital inflows and redemptions. While some investors may have separately negotiated fees, in general the management fees are as follows:

• Hedge Funds. Management fees for the Company's hedge funds are generally charged at an annual rate of up to 2% of assets under management. Management fees are generally calculated monthly based on assets under management at the end of each month before incentive income.

• Alternative Solutions. Management fees for the Alternative Solutions business are generally charged at an annual rate of up to 2% of assets under management. Management fees are generally calculated monthly based on assets under management at the end of each month before incentive income or based on assets under management at the beginning of the month. Management fees earned from the Alternative Solutions business are based and initially calculated on estimated net asset values and actual fees ultimately earned could be impacted to the extent of any changes in these estimates.

• Real Estate Funds. Management fees from the Company's real estate funds are generally charged by their general partners at an annual rate between 1% to 1.5% of total capital commitments during the investment period and of invested capital or net asset value of the applicable fund after the investment period has ended. Management fees are typically paid to the general partners on a quarterly basis, at the beginning of the quarter in arrears, and are prorated for changes in capital commitments throughout the investment period and invested capital after the investment period. The general partners of the Company's real estate funds are owned jointly by the Company and third parties. Accordingly, the management fees (in addition to incentive income and investment income) generated by these real estate funds are split between the Company and the other general partners. Pursuant to US GAAP, these fees and other income received by the general partners that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are reflected under net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

• Healthcare Royalty Partners (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners) Funds. During the investment period (as defined in the management agreement of the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds), management fees for the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds are generally charged at an annual rate of up to 2% of committed capital. After the investment period, management fees are generally charged at an annual rate of up to 2% of assets under management. Management fees for the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds are calculated on a quarterly basis.

• Ramius Trading Strategies. Management fees and platform fees for the Company's private commodity trading advisory business are generally charged at an annual rate of up to 3% and 1.50%, respectively, for the levered vehicle and 1% and 0.50%, respectively, for the unlevered vehicle. In addition, management fees for Ramius Trading Strategies Managed Futures Fund, a mutual fund launched in September 2011, are 1.60% per annum (subject to an overall expense cap of 1.85%). Management and platform fees are generally calculated monthly based on assets under management at the end of each month.

• Other. The Company also provides other investment advisory services. Other management fees are primarily earned from the Company's cash management business and range from annual rates of 0.04% to 0.20% of assets, based on the average daily balances of the assets under management.

Incentive income

The Company earns incentive income based on net profits (as defined in the respective investment management agreements) with respect to certain of the Company's funds and managed accounts, allocable for each fiscal year that exceeds cumulative unrecovered net losses, if any, that have carried forward from prior years. For the products we offer, incentive income earned is typically 20% for hedge funds and 10% for fund of funds and alternative solutions products (in certain cases

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on performance in excess of a benchmark), generally, of the net profits earned for the full year that are attributable to each fee-paying investor. Generally, incentive income on real estate funds is earned after the investor has received a full return of their invested capital, plus a preferred return. However, in certain real estate funds, the Company is entitled to receive incentive fees earlier, provided that the investors have received their preferred return on a current basis. These funds are subject to a potential clawback of that incentive income upon the liquidation of the fund if the investor has not received a full return of its invested capital plus the preferred return thereon. Incentive income in the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds is earned only after investors receive a full return of their capital plus a preferred return.

In periods following a period of a net loss attributable to an investor, the Company generally does not earn incentive income on any future profits attributable to that investor until the accumulated net loss from prior periods is recovered, an arrangement commonly referred to as a “high-water mark.” The Company has elected to record incentive income revenue in accordance with “Method 2” of the US GAAP. Under Method 2, the incentive income from the Company's funds and managed accounts for any period is based upon the net profits of those funds and managed accounts at the reporting date. Any incentive income recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations may be subject to reversal based on subsequent negative performance of the funds prior to the conclusion of the fiscal year, when all contingencies have been resolved.

Carried interest in the real estate funds is subject to clawback to the extent that the carried interest actually distributed to date exceeds the amount due to the Company based on cumulative results. As such, the accrual for potential repayment of previously received carried interest, which is a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, represents all amounts previously distributed to the Company, less an assumed tax liability, that would need to be repaid to certain real estate funds if these funds were to be liquidated based on the current fair value of the underlying funds' investments as of the reporting date. The actual clawback liability does not become realized until the end of a fund's life.

Investment Banking

The Company earns investment banking revenue primarily from fees associated with public and private capital raising transactions and providing strategic advisory services. Investment banking revenues are derived primarily from small and mid-capitalization companies within the Company's target sectors of healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, consumer, aerospace and defense, industrials, REITs and alternative energy.

Investment banking revenue consists of underwriting fees, strategic/financial advisory fees and private placement fees.

• Underwriting fees.  The Company earns underwriting revenues in securities offerings in which the Company acts as an underwriter, such as initial public offerings, follow-on equity offerings, debt offerings, and convertible security offerings. Underwriting revenues include management fees, selling concessions and underwriting fees. Fee revenue relating to underwriting commitments is recorded when all significant items relating to the underwriting process have been completed and the amount of the underwriting revenue has been determined. This generally is the point at which all of the following have occurred: (i) the issuer's registration statement has become effective with the SEC, or the other offering documents are finalized; (ii) the Company has made a firm commitment for the purchase of securities from the issuer; and (iii) the Company has been informed of the number of securities that it has been allotted.

When the Company is not the lead manager for an underwriting transaction, management must estimate the Company's share of transaction-related expenses incurred by the lead manager in order to recognize revenue. Transaction-related expenses are deducted from the underwriting fee and therefore reduce the revenue the Company recognizes as co-manager. Such amounts are adjusted to reflect actual expenses in the period in which the Company receives the final settlement, typically within 90 days following the closing of the transaction.

• Strategic/financial advisory fees. The Company's strategic advisory revenues include success fees earned in connection with advising companies, principally in mergers and acquisitions and liability management transactions. The Company also earns fees for related advisory work such as providing fairness opinions. The Company records strategic advisory revenues when the services for the transactions are completed under the terms of each assignment or engagement and collection is reasonably assured. Expenses associated with such transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded.

• Private placement fees.  The Company earns agency placement fees in non-underwritten transactions such as private placements of debt and equity securities, including, private investment in public equity transactions (“PIPEs”) and registered direct offerings. The Company records private placement revenues when the services for the transactions are completed under the terms of each assignment or engagement and collection is reasonably assured. Expenses associated with such transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

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Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price consideration of acquired companies over the estimated fair value assigned to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is allocated to the Company's reporting units at the date the goodwill is initially recorded. Once goodwill has been allocated to the reporting units, it generally no longer retains its identification with a particular acquisition, but instead becomes identifiable with the reporting unit. As a result, all of the fair value of each reporting unit is available to support the value of goodwill allocated to the unit.

In accordance with US GAAP, the Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or at an interim period if events or changed circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Under US GAAP, the Company first assesses the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amounts as a basis for determining if it is necessary to perform the two-step approach. The first step requires a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the related goodwill is not considered impaired and no further analysis is required. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, there is an indication that the related goodwill might be impaired and the step two is performed to measure the amount of impairment, if any.

The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill with its carrying amount to measure the amount of impairment, if any. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. In other words, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of its assets and liabilities (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Goodwill impairment tests involve significant judgment in determining the estimates of future cash flows, discount rates, economic forecast and other assumptions which are then used in acceptable valuation techniques, such as the market approach (earning and or transactions multiples) and / or income approach (discounted cash flow method). Changes in these estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair value and any resulting impairment of goodwill.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated average useful lives. The Company does not have any intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives. Intangible assets are tested for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that an asset or asset group's carrying value may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss, calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of an asset or asset group, is recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations if the sum of the estimated discounted cash flows relating to the asset or asset group is less than the corresponding carrying value.

Legal Reserves

The Company estimates potential losses that may arise out of legal and regulatory proceedings and records a reserve and takes a charge to income when losses with respect to such matters are deemed probable and can be reasonably estimated, in accordance with US GAAP. These amounts are reported in other expenses, net of recoveries, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The condensed consolidated statements of operations do not include litigation expenses incurred by the Company in connection with indemnified litigation matters. See Note 14 for further discussion. As the successor of the named party in these litigation matters, the Company recognizes the related legal reserve in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Recently adopted and future adoption of accounting pronouncements

        For a detailed discussion, see Note 3g. "New accounting pronouncements" in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 and "Significant Accounting Policies" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 which was filed with the SEC on March 9, 2012.

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Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

During the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, there were no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. For a more detailed discussion concerning our market risk, see Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively), evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2012.

Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2012, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide a reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, we are named as defendants in, or as parties to, various legal actions and proceedings. Certain of these actions and proceedings assert claims or seek relief in connection with alleged violations of securities, banking, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, employment and other statutory and common laws. Certain of these actual or threatened legal actions and proceedings include claims for substantial or indeterminate compensatory or punitive damages, or for injunctive relief.

In the ordinary course of business, we are also subject to governmental and regulatory examinations, information gathering requests (both formal and informal), certain of which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. Certain of our affiliates and subsidiaries are investment banks, registered broker-dealers, futures commission merchants, investment advisers or other regulated entities and, in those capacities, are subject to regulation by various U.S., state and foreign securities, commodity futures and other regulators. In connection with formal and informal inquiries by these regulators, we receive requests, and orders seeking documents and other information in connection with various aspects of our regulated activities.

Due to the global scope of our operations, and presence in countries around the world, we may be subject to litigation, and governmental and regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal), in multiple jurisdictions with legal and regulatory regimes that may differ substantially, and present substantially different risks, from those we are subject to in the United States.

The Company seeks to resolve all litigation and regulatory matters in the manner management believes is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and contests liability, allegations of wrongdoing and, where applicable, the amount of damages or scope of any penalties or other relief sought as appropriate in each pending matter.

In accordance with the US GAAP, the Company establishes reserves for contingencies when the Company believes that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company discloses a contingency if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred and there is no reserve for the loss because the conditions above are not met. The Company's disclosure includes an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss for those matters, for which an estimate can be made. Neither reserve nor disclosure is required for losses that are deemed remote.

The Company appropriately reserves for certain matters where, in the opinion of management, the likelihood of liability is probable and the extent of such liability is reasonably estimable. Such amounts are included within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and currently available information and involve a variety of factors, including, but not limited to,

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the type and nature of the litigation, claim or proceeding, the progress of the matter, the advice of legal counsel, the Company's defenses and its experience in similar cases or proceedings as well as its assessment of matters, including settlements, involving other defendants in similar or related cases or proceedings. The Company may increase or decrease its legal reserves in the future, on a matter-by-matter basis, to account for developments in such matters.

There have been no new developments with respect to the Company's legal proceedings that occurred in the third quarter of 2012. The Company's discussion should be read together with in the accompanying Note 14 "Commitments and Contingencies—Litigation," in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 and the Company's discussion set forth under Legal Proceedings in Part I, Item 3 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

The discussion of our business and operations should be read together with the risk factors contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. These risk factors describe various risks and uncertainties to which we are or may become subject. These risks and uncertainties have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies or prospects in a material and adverse manner. There are no material

changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2011 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 9, 2012.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company's Board of Directors have approved a share repurchase program that authorizes the Company to purchase up to $35.0 million of Cowen Class A common stock from time to time through a variety of methods, including in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, in accordance with applicable securities laws. During the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, through the share repurchase program, the Company repurchased 1,414,543 shares of Cowen Class A common stock at an average price of $2.64 per share.

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on the behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), of our common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
Month 1 (July 1, 2012 – July 31, 2012)
Common stock repurchases(1)	—	$	—	—	—	(3	)
Employee transactions(2)	25,193	$	2.61	—	—
Total
Month 2 (August 1, 2012 – August 31, 2012)
Common stock repurchases(1)	492,878	$	2.56	—	—	(3	)
Employee transactions(2)	273,010	$	2.53	—	—
Total
Month 3 (September 1, 2012 – September 30, 2012)
Common stock repurchases(1)	921,665	$	2.68	—	—	(3	)
Employee transactions(2)	20,719	$	2.64	—	—
Total
Total (July 1, 2012 – September 30, 2012)
Common stock repurchases(1)	1,414,543	$	2.64	—	—	(3)
Employee transactions(2)	318,922	$	2.54	—	—
Total

(1) The Company's Board of Directors have authorized the repurchase, subject to market conditions, of up to $35.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock.

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(2) Represents shares of common stock withheld in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of equity awards.

(3) Board approval of repurchases is based on dollar amount. The Company cannot estimate the number of shares that may yet be purchased.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

See Exhibit Index.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		COWEN GROUP, INC.
		By:	/s/ PETER A. COHEN
		Name:	Peter A. Cohen
		Title:	Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer)
		By:	/s/ STEPHEN A. LASOTA
		Name:	Stephen A. Lasota
Date:	November 8, 2012	Title:	Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
10.1	Employment Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2012, by and between Cowen Group, Inc. and Stephen Lasota (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed August 3, 2012). (a)
10.2	Employment Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2012, by and between Cowen Group, Inc. and Owen Littman (previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed August 3, 2012). (a)
31.1	Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
31.2	Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32	Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
101.INS	XBRL INSTANCE DOCUMENT *
101.SCH	XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT *
101.CAL	XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT *
101.DEF	XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT *
101.LAB	XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT *
101.PRE	XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT *

(a)     Signifies management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

*     Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information shall not be deemed filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under those sections

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification

I, Peter A. Cohen, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Cowen Group, Inc:

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 8, 2012	/s/ PETER A. COHEN
		Name:  Peter A. Cohen Title:    Chief Executive Officer and President              (principal executive officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification

I, Stephen A. Lasota, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Cowen Group, Inc:

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	November 8, 2012	/s/ STEPHEN A. LASOTA
		Name:  Stephen A. Lasota Title:    Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Cowen Group, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), each of the undersigned officers of the Company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to such officer's knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	November 8, 2012	/s/ PETER A. COHEN
		Name:  Peter A. Cohen Title:    Chief Executive Officer and President              (principal executive officer)
		/s/ STEPHEN A. LASOTA
		Name:  Stephen A. Lasota Title:    Chief Financial Officer (principal financial              officer and principal accounting officer)

*  The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document

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Short-Term Borrowings and Other Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, short term borrowings and other debt of the Company were as follows:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Notes payable	$	246	$	370
Capital lease obligations	4,270		5,280
	$	4,516	$	5,650

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt and Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases

Annual scheduled maturities of debt and minimum lease payments for capital lease obligation and short term borrowings and other debt outstanding as of September 30, 2012, are as follows:

	Capital Lease Obligation			Short Term Borrowings
	(dollars in thousands)
2012	$	386		$	46
2013	1,541			183
2014	1,402			46
2015	1,051			—
2016	194			—
Thereafter	—			—
Subtotal	4,574			275
Less: Amount representing interest (a)	(304		)	(29		)
Total	$	4,270		$	246

(a) Amount necessary to reduce net minimum lease payments to present value calculated at the Company's implicit rate at lease inception.

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Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Lehman Claims (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 15, 2008
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments		$ 59,943,000			$ 70,151,000
Operating Entities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments		59,943,000			70,151,000
Operating Entities [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Initial value					1,000,000
Claim settlement receivable					900,000
Estimated recoverable percent		47.00%			27.00%
Other investments		553,000			761,000
Consolidated Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments		228,820,000			205,095,000
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments		7,340,000			6,860,000
Enterprise Master [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Initial value					12,400,000	24,300,000
Claim settlement receivable					1,100,000
Assets returned		2,400,000		9,500,000
Proceeds from sale of returned assets			10,700,000
Distributions of proceeds from returned assets	2,900,000			10,700,000
Other investments					8,600,000
Recoverable claims assigned to variable interest entities					100.00%
Enterprise Master [Member] | Trust Assets [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Claim Resolution Agreement fee					1.00%
Enterprise Master [Member] | U.S. Denominated Assets [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Estimated recoverable percent					73.00%
Enterprise Master [Member] | Foreign Denominated Assets [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Estimated recoverable percent					73.00%
Enterprise Master [Member] | Unsecured Claim [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Estimated recoverable percent					73.00%
Enterprise Master [Member] | Cash [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Initial value					5,300,000
Estimated recoverable percent					69.00%
Other investments					3,600,000
Enterprise LP [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments					$ 6,900,000

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Cash collateral pledged (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Cash collateral pledged	$ 9,269	$ 9,785

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Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	(3.26%)	40.87%
Statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	$ 3.5
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax effect if undistributed foreign earnings were repatriated	$ 0.2

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Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
US Government Securities [Member]
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	$ 8	[1]	$ 165,197	[1]
Common Stock [Member]
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	195,911		123,877
Operating Entities [Member]
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	210,705		334,251
Operating Entities [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, interest rate	5.95%		0.13%
Operating Entities [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, interest rate	7.41%		7.41%
Operating Entities [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	61	[2]	1,529	[2]
Operating Entities [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, interest rate	5.55%		5.55%
Operating Entities [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, interest rate			9.50%
Operating Entities [Member] | Options Held [Member]
Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	$ 14,725		$ 43,648

[1] As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from April 2016 to January 2040 and interest rates ranged between 5.95% and 7.41%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from September 2013 to January 2040 and interest rates ranged between 0.13% and 7.41%.

[2] As of September 30, 2012, the maturity was January 2026 with an interest rate of 5.55%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from December 2016 to January 2026 and interest rates ranged between 5.55% and 9.50%.

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Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012 funds	Dec. 31, 2011
Organization [Line Items]
Number of funds, Consolidated	7
Total assets of nonconsolidated variable interest entities	$ 217.2	$ 259.2
Total liabilities of nonconsolidated variable interest entities	1.7	2.0
Deferred rent	14.0	15.3
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Organization [Line Items]
Maximum exposure regarding nonconsolidated variable interest entities	$ 175.4	$ 211.0

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Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Operating Companies [Member]

Investment Holdings [Line Items]

Marketable Securities

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, securities owned, at fair value consisted of the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government securities (a)	$	95,038	$	182,868
Common stocks	300,990		250,380
Convertible bonds (b)	50,854		18,130
Corporate bonds (c)	168,021		231,864
Options	26,543		55,699
Warrants and rights	4,436		2,759
Mutual funds	2,890		3,214
	$	648,772	$	744,914

(a) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from November 2013 to August 2014 with interest rate of 0.25%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from November 2013 to November 2021 and interest rates ranged between 0.25% and 8%.

(b) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from October 2014 to June 2017 and interest rates ranged between 1.38% and 5.75%. As of December 31, 2011, the maturity was August 2027 with an interest rate of 2.75%.

(c) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from January 2013 to February 2041 and interest rates ranged between 4.52% and 13.50%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from January 2012 to February 2041 and interest rates ranged between 3.13% and 13.50%.

Schedule of Other Investments

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, other investments consisted of the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
(1) Portfolio Funds, at fair value	$	47,287	$	40,350
(2) Real estate investments, at fair value	2,102		2,353
(3) Equity method investments	20,001		16,687
(4) Lehman claims, at fair value	761		553
	$	70,151	$	59,943

Schedule of Other Investments, Portfolio Funds

The Portfolio Funds, at fair value as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, included the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Healthcare Royalty Partners (a)(*)	$	8,119	$	6,297
Healthcare Royalty Partners II (a)(*)	2,617		1,521
Ramius Global Credit Fund LP (b)(*)	13,600		11,790
Ramius Alternative Replication Ltd (c)(*)	831		837
Tapestry Investment Co PCC Ltd (d)	193		185
Ramius Enhanced Replication Fund LLC (e)(*)	708		337
Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP (f)(*)	12,246		11,123
RCG LV Park Lane LLC (g)	700		—
Other private investment (h)	7,413		7,415
Other affiliated funds (i)(*)	860		845
	$	47,287	$	40,350

* These portfolio funds are affiliates of the Company

The Company has no unfunded commitments regarding the portfolio funds held by the Company except as noted for Healthcare Royalty Partners (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners), Healthcare Royalty Partners II (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners II) and Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP in Note 14.

(a) Healthcare Royalty Partners and Healthcare Royalty Partners II are private equity funds and therefore redemptions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.

(b) Ramius Global Credit Fund LP has a quarterly redemption policy with a 60 day notice period and a 4% penalty on redemptions of investments of less than a year in duration.

(c) Ramius Alternative Replication Ltd has monthly redemption policy with a seven day notice period.

(d) Tapestry Investment Company PCC Ltd is in the process of liquidation and redemptions will be made periodically at the investment managers' decision as the underlying investments are liquidated.

(e) Ramius Enhanced Replication Fund LLC has monthly redemption policy with a seven day notice period.

(f) Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP permits quarterly withdrawals upon ninety days notice.

(g) RCG LV Park Lane LLC  is single purpose entity formed to participate in a joint venture which acquired, at a discount, the mortgage notes on a portfolio of multifamily real estate properties located in Birmingham, Alabama.  RCG LV Park Lane is a private equity structure and therefore distributions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.

(h) Other private investment represents the Company's closed end investment in an investment company, which was formed to make an investment in a wireless broadband communication provider in Italy.

(i) The majority of these funds are real estate fund affiliates of the Company or are managed by the Company and the investors can redeem from these funds as investments are liquidated.

Schedule of Equity Method Investments

The following table summarizes equity method investments held by the Company:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Management, LLC	$	1,490	$	1,980
Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC)	662		513
Healthcare Royalty GP II, LLC (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty GP II, LLC)	443		258
CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC	2,165		2,423
Starboard Value LP	7,651		3,693
RCG Longview Partners, LLC	1,698		1,569
RCG Longview Louisiana Manager, LLC	1,490		1,140
RCG Urban American, LLC	1,347		1,258
RCG Urban American Management, LLC	538		1,096
RCG Longview Equity Management, LLC	226		557
Urban American Real Estate Fund II, L.P.	1,564		1,541
RCG Kennedy House, LLC	396		323
Other	331		336
	$	20,001	$	16,687

Schedule of Results of Operations, Equity Method Investments

The summarized income statement information for the Company's investment in the individually significant investee is as follows:

		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues		$	5,877		$	232
Expenses		(588		)	105
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)		73			(21		)
Net Income		$	5,362		$	316

Investments Sold, Not yet Purchased

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value consisted of the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government securities (a)	$	8	$	165,197
Common stocks	195,911		123,877
Corporate bonds (b)	61		1,529
Options	14,725		43,648
	$	210,705	$	334,251

(a) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from April 2016 to January 2040 and interest rates ranged between 5.95% and 7.41%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from September 2013 to January 2040 and interest rates ranged between 0.13% and 7.41%.

(b) As of September 30, 2012, the maturity was January 2026 with an interest rate of 5.55%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from December 2016 to January 2026 and interest rates ranged between 5.55% and 9.50%.

Schedule of Securities Financing Transactions

The following table represents the Company's securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

	As of September 30, 2012
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Agreements with Royal Bank of Canada bearing interest of 2.12% - 2.2% due on October 2, 2012 to June 25, 2013	29,039
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of 0.25% - 0.27% due on October 1, 2012	94,800
	$	123,839

	As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of (0.38%) - 0.25% due on January 3, 2012	$	166,260
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Agreements with Royal Bank of Canada bearing interest of 1.53% - 1.58% due on January 3, 2012 to June 25, 2012	49,450
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of 0.03% - 0.08% due on January 3, 2012	179,333
	$	228,783

Consolidated Funds [Member]

Investment Holdings [Line Items]

Marketable Securities

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 securities owned, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds are comprised of:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Government sponsored securities (a)	$	1,501	$	2,006
Commercial paper (b)	1,594		3,927
Corporate bond (c)	—		401
	$	3,095	$	6,334

(a) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from October 2012 to February 2014 and interest rates ranged between 0.32% and 1.74%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from October 2012 to October 2013 and interest rates ranged between 0.32% and 1.74%.

(b) As of September 30, 2012, commercial paper was purchased at a discount and matures on October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, commercial paper was purchased at a discount and matured on January 3, 2012.

(c) As of December 31, 2011, the maturity was April 2012 with an interest rate of 0.58%.

Schedule of Other Investments

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 other investments, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds are comprised of:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
(1) Portfolio Funds	$	198,235	$	221,480
(2) Lehman claims	6,860		7,340
	$	205,095	$	228,820

Schedule of Other Investments, Portfolio Funds

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, investments in Portfolio Funds, at fair value, included the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Investments of Enterprise LP	$	174,314	$	193,012
Investments of consolidated fund of funds	23,921		28,468
	$	198,235	$	221,480

Schedule of Other Investments, Funds Investment Companies

The following is a summary of the investments held by the four consolidated fund of funds, at fair value, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

		Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Strategy	Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP		Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP		Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP		RTS Global 3X Fund LP		Total
		(dollars in thousands)
Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC*	Credit-Based	$	430	$	884	$	944	$	—	$	2,258	(b)
Independently Advised Portfolio Funds*	Futures & Global Macro	—		—		—		10,438		10,438		(c)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Credit-Based	152		57		233		—		442		(b)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Event Driven	1,562		2,339		3,781		—		7,682		(d)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Hedged Equity	17		226		1,002		—		1,245		(e)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Multi-Strategy	246		635		685		—		1,566		(f)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Fixed Income Arbitrage	29		42		—		—		71		(g)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Opportunistic Equity	—		103		116		—		219		(h)
		$	2,436	$	4,286	$	6,761	$	10,438	$	23,921

		Fair value as of December 31, 2011
	Strategy	Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP		Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP		Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP		RTS Global 3X Fund LP		Total
		(dollars in thousands)
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*	Multi-Strategy	$	—	$	8,269	$	—	$	—	$	8,269	(a)
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*	Multi-Strategy	—		—		8,883		—		8,883		(a)
Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC*	Credit-Based	438		—		—		—		438		(b)
Independently Advised Portfolio Funds*	Futures & Global Macro	—		—		—		8,078		8,078		(c)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Credit-Based	260		—		—		—		260		(b)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Event Driven	1,992		—		—		—		1,992		(d)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Hedged Equity	35		—		—		—		35		(e)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Multi-Strategy	459		—		—		—		459		(f)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Fixed Income Arbitrage	54		—		—		—		54		(g)
		$	3,238	$	8,269	$	8,883	$	8,078	$	28,468

 *    These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

The Company has no unfunded commitments regarding investments held by the four consolidated funds.

(a) Investments held in affiliated master funds can be redeemed on a monthly basis with no advance notice.

(b) The Credit‑Based strategy aims to generate returns via positions in the credit sensitive sphere of the fixed income markets. The strategy generally involves the purchase of corporate bonds with hedging of the interest exposure. The investments held in Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC, a related fund, are held solely in a credit based fund which the fund's manager has placed in a side-pocket. The remaining amount of the investments within this category represents an investment in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.

(c) The Futures and Global Macro strategy is comprised of several portfolio accounts, each of which will be advised independently by a commodity trading advisor implementing primarily managed futures or global macro‑based investment strategies. The trading advisors (through their respective portfolio accounts) will trade independently of each other and, as a group, will employ a wide variety of systematic, relative value and discretionary trading programs in the global currency, fixed income, commodities and equity futures markets. In implementing their trading programs, the trading advisors will trade primarily in the futures and forward markets (as well as in related options). Although certain trading advisors may be permitted to use total return swaps and trade other financial instruments from time to time on an interim basis, the primary focus will be on the futures and forward markets. Redemption frequency of these portfolio accounts are monthly (and intra month for a $10,000 fee) and the notification period for redemptions is 5 business days (or 3 business days for intra month redemptions).

(d) The Event Driven strategy is generally implemented through various combinations and permutations of merger arbitrage, restructuring and distressed instruments. The investments in this category are primarily in a side pocket or suspended with undetermined payout dates.

(e) The Hedged Equity strategy focuses on equity strategies with some directional market exposure. The strategy attempts to profit from market efficiencies and direction. The investee fund manager has side-pocketed investments.

(f) The Multi‑Strategy investment objective is to invest discrete pools of its capital among portfolio managers that invest through investment funds, forming multi-strategy, diversified investment portfolios designed to achieve non-market directional returns with low relative volatility. The investments in this category represent investments in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.

(g) The Fixed Income Arbitrage strategy seeks to achieve long term capital appreciation by employing a variety of strategies to generate returns without significant exposure to credit spread, interest rate changes or duration. As of September 30, 2012, the investment manager has gated investments.

(h) The Opportunistic Equity investment style seeks to profit from higher levels of realized market volatility giving to shorter term price momentum and mean reversion trading opportunities.  The investee fund manager has side-pocketed investments with undetermined payout dates.

Enterprise Master [Member]

Investment Holdings [Line Items]

Schedule of Other Investments, Portfolio Funds

		As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	Strategy	Fair Value
		(dollars in thousands)
624 Art Holdings, LLC*	Artwork	$	32	$	38
RCG Longview Equity Fund, LP*	Real Estate	14,326		14,460
RCG Longview II, LP*	Real Estate	1,280		1,592
RCG Longview Debt Fund IV, LP*	Real Estate	30,572		23,594
RCG Longview, LP*	Real Estate	293		271
RCG Soundview, LLC*	Real Estate	2,684		2,748
RCG Urban American Real Estate Fund, L.P.*	Real Estate	3,261		3,142
RCG International Sarl*	Multi-Strategy	864		870
Ramius Navigation Fund Ltd*	Multi-Strategy	—		1,106
RCG Special Opportunities Fund, Ltd*	Multi-Strategy	79,599		97,144
Ramius Credit Opportunities Fund Ltd*	Distressed	—		121
RCG Endeavour, LLC*	Multi-Strategy	48		47
RCG Energy, LLC *	Energy	19,255		16,560
RCG Renergys, LLC*	Energy	1		2
Other Private Investments	Various	15,923		16,580
Real Estate Investments	Real Estate	13,670		15,795
		$	181,808	$	194,070

* These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

Schedule of Securities Financing Transactions

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Bank debt	$	66	$	—
Common stock	2,353		2,173
Preferred stock	823		1,027
Private equity	294		276
Restricted stock	18		47
Rights	1,755		2,173
Trade claims	128		128
Warrants	3		3
	$	5,440	$	5,827

Schedule of Derivative Instruments

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Currency forwards	$	8	$	53
	$	8	$	53

Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP and Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member]

Investment Holdings [Line Items]

Schedule of Other Investments, Portfolio Funds

The following table presents summarized investment information for the underlying Portfolio Funds held by Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF, at estimated fair value, as of December 31, 2011:

		As of December 31, 2011
	Strategy	Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP		Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP
		(dollars in thousands)
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*	Multi Strategy	$	552	$	—
Tapestry Pooled Account V, LLC*	Credit-Based	901		962
Externally Managed Funds	Credit-Based	40		399
Externally Managed Funds	Event Driven	3,015		5,044
Externally Managed Funds	Fixed Income Arbitrage	79		—
Externally Managed Funds	Hedged Equity	1,272		1,753
Externally Managed Funds	Multi Strategy	1,319		1,442
		$	7,178	$	9,600

* These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member]

Investment Holdings [Line Items]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments

The following table presents the summarized investment information, which primarily consists of receivables/(payables) on derivatives, for the underlying Portfolio Funds held by RTS Global 3X, at fair value, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

	As of September 30, 2012			As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Bond futures	$	482		$	(2	)
Commodity options	—			181
Currency options	—			487
Commodity forwards	(650		)	51
Commodity futures	1,087			756
Currency forwards	(65		)	157
Currency futures	504			418
Energy futures	76			2
Equity future	(59		)	—
Foreign currency option	—			358
Index options	(9		)	80
Index futures	(1,837		)	80
Interest rate futures	670			20
Interest rate options	—			(25		)
	$	199		$	2,563

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Treasury Stock (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2012 Common Stock Class A	Sep. 30, 2012 Common Stock Class A
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Common stock repurchase program, maximum authorized amount			$ 15,000,000	$ 35,000,000
Treasury Stock [Roll Forward]
Treasury stock, shares, beginning of period				5,346,003
Treasury stock, cost, beginning of period				16,902,000
Treasury stock, average cost per share, beginning of period, in dollars per share				$ 3.16
Shares purchased for minimum tax withholding, shares				1,062,296
Shares purchased for minimum tax withholding, cost	2,652,000	1,566,000		2,652,000
Shares purchased for minimum tax withholding, average cost per share, in dollars per share				$ 2.50
Purchase of treasury stock, shares				3,211,852
Purchase of treasury stock, cost				8,252,000
Treasury stock acquired, average cost per share, in dollars per share				$ 2.57
Treasury stock, shares, end of period				9,620,151
Treasury stock, cost, end of period				$ 27,806,000
Treasury stock, average cost per share, end of period, in dollars per share				$ 2.89

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Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Other (Details) (Operating Entities [Member]) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) entities	Dec. 31, 2011 EUR (€) entities
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Reinsurance companies acquired, not business combination	2	2
Purchase price for reinsurance companies acquired, not business combination	$ 331.8	€ 234.8

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Regulatory Requirements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [Member] | Cowen and Company [Member]
Regulatory Requirements for Broker-Dealers [Line Items]
Net capital requirement under alternative method	$ 1,000,000
Net capital	31,100,000
Excess net capital under alternative method	30,100,000
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [Member] | Cowen and Company [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Regulatory Requirements for Broker-Dealers [Line Items]
Net capital requirement under alternative method	1,000,000
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [Member] | Cowen Capital, LLC [Member]
Regulatory Requirements for Broker-Dealers [Line Items]
Net capital	3,100,000
Excess capital	2,100,000
Minimum net capital required	1,000,000
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [Member] | Cowen Capital, LLC [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Regulatory Requirements for Broker-Dealers [Line Items]
Minimum net capital required	1,000,000
Net capital requirement as a percentage of indebtedness	6.667%
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [Member] | ATM USA [Member]
Regulatory Requirements for Broker-Dealers [Line Items]
Net capital	600,000
Excess capital	500,000
Minimum net capital required	100,000
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [Member] | ATM USA [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Regulatory Requirements for Broker-Dealers [Line Items]
Minimum net capital required	5,000
Net capital requirement as a percentage of indebtedness	6.667%
U.K. Financial Services Authority [Member] | Raimus U.K., Ltd. [Member]
Regulatory Requirements for Broker-Dealers [Line Items]
Financial resources	600,000
Financial resources requirement	200,000
Excess financial resources	400,000
U.K. Financial Services Authority [Member] | Cowen International Limited [Member]
Regulatory Requirements for Broker-Dealers [Line Items]
Financial resources	4,500,000
Financial resources requirement	2,300,000
Excess financial resources	2,200,000
H.K. Securities and Futures Commission [Member] | Cowen and Company (Asia) Limited [Member]
Regulatory Requirements for Broker-Dealers [Line Items]
Financial resources	700,000
Financial resources requirement	400,000
Excess financial resources	$ 300,000

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Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)			12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Affiliated Entity [Member] Raimus Alternative Solutions L.L.C. [Member] Scenario, Forecast [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Affiliated Entity [Member] Asset Management Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Affiliated Entity [Member] Asset Management Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Affiliated Entity [Member] Asset Management Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Affiliated Entity [Member] Asset Management Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Affiliated Entity [Member] Fees Receivable [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Affiliated Entity [Member] Fees Receivable [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Affiliated Entity [Member] Fees Receivable [Member] Raimus Alternative Solutions L.L.C. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Affiliated Entity [Member] Fees Receivable [Member] Raimus Alternative Solutions L.L.C. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2004 Affiliated Entity [Member] Fees Receivable [Member] Raimus Alternative Solutions L.L.C. [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Affiliated Entity [Member] Fees Payable [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Affiliated Entity [Member] Fees Payable [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Employees [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Employees [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Equity Method Investee [Member] Starboard Value L.P. [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Equity Method Investee [Member] Starboard Value L.P. [Member] LIBOR [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Method Investee [Member] Due from Related Parties [Member] Starboard Value L.P. [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Investor [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Investor [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fees receivable from related parties								$ 10,700,000	$ 14,900,000
Reimbursement to affiliated funds				(200,000)	(200,000)	(1,200,000)	(1,100,000)
Fees payable to related parties													1,400,000	3,400,000
Receivables acquired in business combination										400,000	1,000,000	9,600,000
Expected payment on outstanding receivables acquired in business combination			200,000
Due from employees															5,500,000	5,300,000
Credit agreement with related party, maximum loan amount																	3,000,000
Credit agreement with related party, interest rate spread																		3.75%
Credit agreement with related party, loan receivable																			1,500,000
Due to Affiliate	$ 646,000	$ 1,914,000																		$ 200,000	$ 300,000

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended											9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Equipment Leases [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Service Payments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Facility Leases [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Buildings, Avenue of Americas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Buildings, Avenue of Americas [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Clawback Obligation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Unfunded Commitments [Member] investments	Sep. 30, 2012 Commitment to Invest [Member] Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners [Member] Affiliated Entity [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Commitment to Invest [Member] Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners [Member] Affiliated Entity [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Commitment to Invest [Member] Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners [Member] Affiliated Entity [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Commitment to Invest [Member] Starboard Value L.P. [Member] Affiliated Entity [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Unfunded Commitment to Invest [Member] Starboard Value L.P. [Member] Affiliated Entity [Member]
Lease Obligations
Net rent expense	$ 3,600,000	$ 3,600,000	$ 11,000,000	$ 10,500,000
Liability relating to vacating premises										3,300,000	5,700,000
Future minimum annual lease and service payments
2012					825,000	[1]	2,445,000	4,503,000	[2]
2013					3,301,000	[1]	10,920,000	17,560,000	[2]
2014					1,548,000	[1]	7,935,000	15,396,000	[2]
2015					1,051,000	[1]	2,030,000	12,310,000	[2]
2016					194,000	[1]	194,000	11,421,000	[2]
Thereafter					0	[1]	0	53,607,000	[2]
Future minimum annual lease and service payments					6,919,000	[1]	23,524,000	114,797,000	[2]
Sublease income related to operating leases	300,000	100,000	1,000,000	300,000
Contractual obligation												6,200,000	6,400,000	42,200,000				2,900,000
Number of real estate investments, in investments													2
Funding toward commitments														26,300,000
Commitments made																	$ 15,000,000
Expected call period															2 years	5 years

[1] Equipment Leases include the Company's commitments relating to operating and capital leases. See Note 15 for further information on capital lease minimum payments.

[2] The Company has entered into various agreements to sublease certain of its premises. The Company recorded sublease income related to these leases of $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1.0 million and $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

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Segment Reporting

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

The Company conducts its operations through two segments: the alternative investment segment and the broker‑dealer segment. These activities are conducted primarily in the United States and substantially all of its revenues are generated domestically. The performance measure for these segments is Economic Income (Loss), which management uses to evaluate the financial performance of and make operating decisions for the segments including determining appropriate compensation levels.

In general, Economic Income (Loss) is a pre-tax measure that (i) eliminates the impact of consolidation for consolidated funds, (ii) excludes equity award expense related to the November 2009 Ramius/Cowen transaction, (iii) excludes certain other acquisition-related and/or reorganization expenses (including the discontinued operations of LaBranche) and (iv) excludes the bargain purchase gain which resulted from the LaBranche acquisition (See Note 2). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) revenues include investment income that represents the income the Company has earned in investing its own capital, including realized and unrealized gains and losses, interest and dividends, net of associated investment related expenses. For US GAAP purposes, these items are included in each of their respective line items. Economic Income (Loss) revenues also include management fees, incentive income and investment income earned through the Company's investment as a general partner in certain real estate entities and the Company's investment in the Value and Opportunity business. For US GAAP purposes, all of these items are recorded in other income (loss). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) expenses are reduced by reimbursement from affiliates, which for US GAAP purposes is presented gross as part of revenue.

As further stated below, one major difference between Economic Income (Loss) and US GAAP net income (loss) is that Economic Income (Loss) presents the segments' results of operations without the impact resulting from the full consolidation of any of the Consolidated Funds. Consolidation of these funds results in including in income the pro rata share of the income or loss attributable to other owners of such entities which is reflected in net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiaries in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. This pro rata share has no effect on the overall financial performance for the alternative investment segment, as ultimately, this income or loss is not income or loss for the alternative investment segment itself. Included in Economic Income (Loss) is the actual pro rata share of the income or loss attributable to the Company as an investor in such entities, which is relevant in management making operating decisions and evaluating financial performance.

The following tables set forth operating results for the Company's alternative investment and broker dealer segments and related adjustments necessary to reconcile the Company's Economic Income (Loss) measure to arrive at the Company's consolidated US GAAP net income (loss):

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	18,666		$	18,666		$	—		$	—			$	18,666
Brokerage	—			22,701			22,701			—			—				22,701
Management fees	13,426			—			13,426			(362		)	(4,198		)	(a)	8,866
Incentive income	1,699			—			1,699			—			(283		)	(a)	1,416
Investment Income	6,864			2,288			9,152			—			(9,152		)	(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			3,605			(c)	3,605
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(97		)	1,467			(b)	1,370
Other revenue	168			213			381			—			320			(c)	701
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			273			—				273
Total revenues	22,157			43,868			66,025			(186		)	(8,241		)		57,598
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	11,759			34,490			46,249			—			1,073				47,322
Interest and dividends	93			38			131			—			1,826			(c)	1,957
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	8,564			15,452			24,016			—			(24,016		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	1,433			4,287			5,720			—			(5,720		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			29,445			(c)(d)	29,445
Reimbursement from affiliates	(1,467		)	—			(1,467		)	—			1,467			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			330			—				330
Total expenses	20,382			54,267			74,649			330			4,075				79,054
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			12,510			(c)	12,510
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			(815		)	(1,694		)		(2,509		)
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			(815		)	10,816				10,001
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	1,775			(10,399		)	(8,624		)	(1,331		)	(1,500		)		(11,455		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			163			(b)	163
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	1,775			(10,399		)	(8,624		)	(1,331		)	(1,663		)		(11,618		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(301		)	—			(301		)	1,331			3				1,033
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	1,474		$	(10,399	)	$	(8,925	)	$	—		$	(1,660	)		$	(10,585	)

(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2012 the Company has reflected $2.3 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $0.8 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	10,816		$	10,816		$	—		$	—			$	10,816
Brokerage	306			25,364			25,670			—			—				25,670
Management fees	18,476			—			18,476			(428		)	(3,270		)	(a)	14,778
Incentive income	(643		)	—			(643		)	—			(1,180		)	(a)	(1,823		)
Investment Income	(13,795		)	(3,233		)	(17,028		)	—			17,028			(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			10,930			(c)	10,930
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(49		)	1,027			(b)	978
Other revenue	41			(128		)	(87		)	—			396			(c)	309
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			301			—				301
Total revenues	4,385			32,819			37,204			(176		)	24,931				61,959
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	10,724			31,474			42,198			—			1,453				43,651
Interest and dividends	52			130			182			—			1,722			(c)	1,904
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	7,445			18,367			25,812			—			(25,812		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	4,315			5,610			9,925			—			(9,925		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			34,340			(c)(d)	34,340
Reimbursement from affiliates	(1,028		)	—			(1,028		)	—			1,028			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			1,135			—				1,135
Total expenses	21,508			55,581			77,089			1,135			2,806				81,030
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			(21,989		)	(c)	(21,989		)
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			(619		)	(2,179		)		(2,798		)
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			(619		)	(24,168		)		(24,787		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	(17,123		)	(22,762		)	(39,885		)	(1,930		)	(2,043		)		(43,858		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			72			(b)	72
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	(17,123		)	(22,762		)	(39,885		)	(1,930		)	(2,115		)		(43,930		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			—			—			(5,087		)	(f)	(5,087		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(810		)	—			(810		)	1,930			(337		)		783
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	(17,933	)	$	(22,762	)	$	(40,695	)	$	—		$	(7,539	)		$	(48,234	)

(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company has reflected an adjustment of $5.1 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $1.7 million out of the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	50,550		$	50,550		$	—		$	—			$	50,550
Brokerage	—			71,282			71,282			—			—				71,282
Management fees	42,032			—			42,032			(1,150		)	(12,367		)	(a)	28,515
Incentive income	8,303			—			8,303			—			(5,616		)	(a)	2,687
Investment Income	30,361			8,182			38,543			—			(38,543		)	(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			14,845			(c)	14,845
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(222		)	4,018			(b)	3,796
Other revenue	508			186			694			—			1,704			(c)	2,398
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			474			—				474
Total revenues	81,204			130,200			211,404			(898		)	(35,959		)		174,547
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	42,705			91,098			133,803			—			3,299				137,102
Interest and dividends	123			155			278			—			6,610			(c)	6,888
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	24,093			45,655			69,748			—			(69,748		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	3,881			15,852			19,733			—			(19,733		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			87,889			(c)(d)	87,889
Reimbursement from affiliates	(4,018		)	—			(4,018		)	—			4,018			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			1,339			—				1,339
Total expenses	66,784			152,760			219,544			1,339			12,335				233,218
Other income (loss)
Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			41,969			(c)	41,969
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			119			1,318				1,437
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			119			43,287				43,406
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	14,420			(22,560		)	(8,140		)	(2,118		)	(5,007		)		(15,265		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			496			(b)	496
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	14,420			(22,560		)	(8,140		)	(2,118		)	(5,503		)		(15,761		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(900		)	—			(900		)	2,118			7				1,225
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	13,520		$	(22,560	)	$	(9,040	)	$	—		$	(5,496	)		$	(14,536	)

(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company has reflected $8.2 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $2.7 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	39,841		$	39,841		$	—		$	—			$	39,841
Brokerage	380			77,488			77,868			—			—				77,868
Management fees	48,062			—			48,062			(1,407		)	(8,856		)	(a)	37,799
Incentive income	10,217			—			10,217			—			(6,984		)	(a)	3,233
Investment Income	20,027			2,854			22,881			—			(22,881		)	(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			21,330			(c)	21,330
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(217		)	3,185			(b)	2,968
Other revenue	1,015			(529		)	486			—			744			(c)	1,230
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			614			—				614
Total revenues	79,701			119,654			199,355			(1,010		)	(13,462		)		184,883
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	41,595			85,707			127,302			—			5,011				132,313
Interest and dividends	157			460			617			—			7,010			(c)	7,627
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	23,163			50,512			73,675			—			(73,675		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	13,002			18,377			31,379			—			(31,379		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			101,911			(c)(d)	101,911
Reimbursement from affiliates	(3,186		)	—			(3,186		)	—			3,186			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			2,635			—				2,635
Total expenses	74,731			155,056			229,787			2,635			12,064				244,486
Other income (loss)
Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			(4,631		)	(c)	(4,631		)
Bargain purchase gain	—			—			—			—			22,244			(e)	22,244
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			3,031			686				3,717
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			3,031			18,299				21,330
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	4,970			(35,402		)	(30,432		)	(614		)	(7,227		)		(38,273		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			(17,720		)	(b)	(17,720		)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	4,970			(35,402		)	(30,432		)	(614		)	10,493				(20,553		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			—			—			(5,087		)	(f)	(5,087		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(2,750		)	—			(2,750		)	614			(337		)		(2,473		)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	2,220		$	(35,402	)	$	(33,182	)	$	—		$	5,069			$	(28,113	)

(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company has reflected $1.3 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $0.2 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

The following is a summary of the adjustments made to US GAAP net income (loss) for the segment to arrive at

Economic Income (Loss):

Funds Consolidation: The impacts of consolidation and the related elimination entries of the Consolidated Funds are not included in Economic Income (Loss). Adjustments to reconcile to US GAAP net income (loss) include elimination of incentive income and management fees earned from the Consolidated Funds and addition of fund expenses excluding management fees paid, fund revenues and investment income (loss).

Other Adjustments:

(a)     Economic Income (Loss) recognizes revenues (i) net of distribution fees paid to agents and (ii) our proportionate share

of management and incentive fees of certain real estate operating entities and the activist business (2012 only).

(b)    Economic Income (Loss) excludes income taxes as management does not consider this item when evaluating the

performance of the segment. Also, reimbursement from affiliates is shown as a reduction of Economic Income

expenses, but is included as a part of revenues under US GAAP.

(c)     Economic Income (Loss) recognizes Company income from proprietary trading net of related expenses.

(d)     Economic Income (Loss) recognizes the Company's proportionate share of expenses for certain real estate and other

operating entities for which the investments are recorded under the equity method of accounting for investments.

(e)    Economic Income excludes the bargain purchase gain which resulted from the LaBranche acquisition.

(f)    Economic Income (Loss) excludes discontinued operations.

For the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, there was no one fund or other customer which represented more than 10% of the Company's total revenues. Primarily all of the revenues earned by the alternative investment segment were from related parties for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011. There were no revenues earned from related parties by the broker dealer segment in the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011.

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Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Other Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	$ 70,151	$ 59,943
Operating Entities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	70,151	59,943
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	47,287	40,350
Operating Entities [Member] | Real Estate Investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	2,102	2,353
Operating Entities [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	20,001	16,687
Operating Entities [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	761	553
Consolidated Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	205,095	228,820
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	198,235	221,480
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	$ 6,860	$ 7,340

XML

Segment Reporting (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

The following tables set forth operating results for the Company's alternative investment and broker dealer segments and related adjustments necessary to reconcile the Company's Economic Income (Loss) measure to arrive at the Company's consolidated US GAAP net income (loss):

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	18,666		$	18,666		$	—		$	—			$	18,666
Brokerage	—			22,701			22,701			—			—				22,701
Management fees	13,426			—			13,426			(362		)	(4,198		)	(a)	8,866
Incentive income	1,699			—			1,699			—			(283		)	(a)	1,416
Investment Income	6,864			2,288			9,152			—			(9,152		)	(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			3,605			(c)	3,605
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(97		)	1,467			(b)	1,370
Other revenue	168			213			381			—			320			(c)	701
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			273			—				273
Total revenues	22,157			43,868			66,025			(186		)	(8,241		)		57,598
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	11,759			34,490			46,249			—			1,073				47,322
Interest and dividends	93			38			131			—			1,826			(c)	1,957
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	8,564			15,452			24,016			—			(24,016		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	1,433			4,287			5,720			—			(5,720		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			29,445			(c)(d)	29,445
Reimbursement from affiliates	(1,467		)	—			(1,467		)	—			1,467			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			330			—				330
Total expenses	20,382			54,267			74,649			330			4,075				79,054
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			12,510			(c)	12,510
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			(815		)	(1,694		)		(2,509		)
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			(815		)	10,816				10,001
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	1,775			(10,399		)	(8,624		)	(1,331		)	(1,500		)		(11,455		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			163			(b)	163
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	1,775			(10,399		)	(8,624		)	(1,331		)	(1,663		)		(11,618		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(301		)	—			(301		)	1,331			3				1,033
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	1,474		$	(10,399	)	$	(8,925	)	$	—		$	(1,660	)		$	(10,585	)

(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2012 the Company has reflected $2.3 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $0.8 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	10,816		$	10,816		$	—		$	—			$	10,816
Brokerage	306			25,364			25,670			—			—				25,670
Management fees	18,476			—			18,476			(428		)	(3,270		)	(a)	14,778
Incentive income	(643		)	—			(643		)	—			(1,180		)	(a)	(1,823		)
Investment Income	(13,795		)	(3,233		)	(17,028		)	—			17,028			(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			10,930			(c)	10,930
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(49		)	1,027			(b)	978
Other revenue	41			(128		)	(87		)	—			396			(c)	309
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			301			—				301
Total revenues	4,385			32,819			37,204			(176		)	24,931				61,959
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	10,724			31,474			42,198			—			1,453				43,651
Interest and dividends	52			130			182			—			1,722			(c)	1,904
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	7,445			18,367			25,812			—			(25,812		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	4,315			5,610			9,925			—			(9,925		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			34,340			(c)(d)	34,340
Reimbursement from affiliates	(1,028		)	—			(1,028		)	—			1,028			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			1,135			—				1,135
Total expenses	21,508			55,581			77,089			1,135			2,806				81,030
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			(21,989		)	(c)	(21,989		)
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			(619		)	(2,179		)		(2,798		)
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			(619		)	(24,168		)		(24,787		)
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	(17,123		)	(22,762		)	(39,885		)	(1,930		)	(2,043		)		(43,858		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			72			(b)	72
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	(17,123		)	(22,762		)	(39,885		)	(1,930		)	(2,115		)		(43,930		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			—			—			(5,087		)	(f)	(5,087		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(810		)	—			(810		)	1,930			(337		)		783
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	(17,933	)	$	(22,762	)	$	(40,695	)	$	—		$	(7,539	)		$	(48,234	)

(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company has reflected an adjustment of $5.1 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $1.7 million out of the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	50,550		$	50,550		$	—		$	—			$	50,550
Brokerage	—			71,282			71,282			—			—				71,282
Management fees	42,032			—			42,032			(1,150		)	(12,367		)	(a)	28,515
Incentive income	8,303			—			8,303			—			(5,616		)	(a)	2,687
Investment Income	30,361			8,182			38,543			—			(38,543		)	(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			14,845			(c)	14,845
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(222		)	4,018			(b)	3,796
Other revenue	508			186			694			—			1,704			(c)	2,398
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			474			—				474
Total revenues	81,204			130,200			211,404			(898		)	(35,959		)		174,547
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	42,705			91,098			133,803			—			3,299				137,102
Interest and dividends	123			155			278			—			6,610			(c)	6,888
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	24,093			45,655			69,748			—			(69,748		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	3,881			15,852			19,733			—			(19,733		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			87,889			(c)(d)	87,889
Reimbursement from affiliates	(4,018		)	—			(4,018		)	—			4,018			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			1,339			—				1,339
Total expenses	66,784			152,760			219,544			1,339			12,335				233,218
Other income (loss)
Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			41,969			(c)	41,969
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			119			1,318				1,437
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			119			43,287				43,406
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	14,420			(22,560		)	(8,140		)	(2,118		)	(5,007		)		(15,265		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			496			(b)	496
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	14,420			(22,560		)	(8,140		)	(2,118		)	(5,503		)		(15,761		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(900		)	—			(900		)	2,118			7				1,225
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	13,520		$	(22,560	)	$	(9,040	)	$	—		$	(5,496	)		$	(14,536	)

(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company has reflected $8.2 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $2.7 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	39,841		$	39,841		$	—		$	—			$	39,841
Brokerage	380			77,488			77,868			—			—				77,868
Management fees	48,062			—			48,062			(1,407		)	(8,856		)	(a)	37,799
Incentive income	10,217			—			10,217			—			(6,984		)	(a)	3,233
Investment Income	20,027			2,854			22,881			—			(22,881		)	(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			21,330			(c)	21,330
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(217		)	3,185			(b)	2,968
Other revenue	1,015			(529		)	486			—			744			(c)	1,230
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			614			—				614
Total revenues	79,701			119,654			199,355			(1,010		)	(13,462		)		184,883
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	41,595			85,707			127,302			—			5,011				132,313
Interest and dividends	157			460			617			—			7,010			(c)	7,627
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	23,163			50,512			73,675			—			(73,675		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	13,002			18,377			31,379			—			(31,379		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			101,911			(c)(d)	101,911
Reimbursement from affiliates	(3,186		)	—			(3,186		)	—			3,186			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			2,635			—				2,635
Total expenses	74,731			155,056			229,787			2,635			12,064				244,486
Other income (loss)
Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			(4,631		)	(c)	(4,631		)
Bargain purchase gain	—			—			—			—			22,244			(e)	22,244
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			3,031			686				3,717
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			3,031			18,299				21,330
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	4,970			(35,402		)	(30,432		)	(614		)	(7,227		)		(38,273		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			(17,720		)	(b)	(17,720		)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	4,970			(35,402		)	(30,432		)	(614		)	10,493				(20,553		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			—			—			—			(5,087		)	(f)	(5,087		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(2,750		)	—			(2,750		)	614			(337		)		(2,473		)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	2,220		$	(35,402	)	$	(33,182	)	$	—		$	5,069			$	(28,113	)

(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company has reflected $1.3 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $0.2 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

XML

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 segment		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012 segment		Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business segments, in segments	2				2
Revenues
Investment banking	$ 18,666,000		$ 10,816,000		$ 50,550,000		$ 39,841,000
Brokerage	22,701,000		25,670,000		71,282,000		77,868,000
Management fees	8,866,000		14,778,000		28,515,000		37,799,000
Incentive income	1,416,000		(1,823,000)		2,687,000		3,233,000
Interest and dividends	3,605,000		10,930,000		14,845,000		21,330,000
Reimbursement from affiliates	1,370,000		978,000		3,796,000		2,968,000
Other revenue	701,000		309,000		2,398,000		1,230,000
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	47,322,000		43,651,000		137,102,000		132,313,000
Interest and dividends	1,957,000		1,904,000		6,888,000		7,627,000
Total expenses	79,054,000		81,030,000		233,218,000		244,486,000
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	12,510,000		(21,989,000)		41,969,000		(4,631,000)
Total other income (loss)	10,001,000		(24,787,000)		43,406,000		21,330,000
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	163,000		72,000		496,000		(17,720,000)
Net income (loss)	(11,618,000)		(49,017,000)		(15,761,000)		(25,640,000)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0		(5,087,000)		0		(5,087,000)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	(10,585,000)		(48,234,000)		(14,536,000)		(28,113,000)
Reported Under U.S. GAAP [Member]
Revenues
Investment banking	18,666,000		10,816,000		50,550,000		39,841,000
Brokerage	22,701,000		25,670,000		71,282,000		77,868,000
Management fees	8,866,000		14,778,000		28,515,000		37,799,000
Incentive income	1,416,000		(1,823,000)		2,687,000		3,233,000
Investment Income	0		0		0		0
Interest and dividends	3,605,000		10,930,000		14,845,000		21,330,000
Reimbursement from affiliates	1,370,000		978,000		3,796,000		2,968,000
Other revenue	701,000		309,000		2,398,000		1,230,000
Total revenues	57,598,000		61,959,000		174,547,000		184,883,000
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	47,322,000		43,651,000		137,102,000		132,313,000
Interest and dividends	1,957,000		1,904,000		6,888,000		7,627,000
Non-compensation expenses - Fixed	0		0		0		0
Non-compensation expenses - Variable	0		0		0		0
Non-compensation expenses	29,445,000		34,340,000		87,889,000		101,911,000
Reimbursement from affiliates	0		0		0		0
Total expenses	79,054,000		81,030,000		233,218,000		244,486,000
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	12,510,000		(21,989,000)		41,969,000		(4,631,000)
Bargain purchase gain							22,244,000	[1]
Total other income (loss)	10,001,000		(24,787,000)		43,406,000		21,330,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	(11,455,000)		(43,858,000)		(15,265,000)		(38,273,000)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	163,000		72,000		496,000		(17,720,000)
Net income (loss)	(11,618,000)		(43,930,000)		(15,761,000)		(20,553,000)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			(5,087,000)				(5,087,000)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	1,033,000		783,000		1,225,000		(2,473,000)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	(10,585,000)		(48,234,000)		(14,536,000)		(28,113,000)
Operating Segments [Member] | Reported Under Economic Income/(Loss) [Member]
Revenues
Investment banking	18,666,000		10,816,000		50,550,000		39,841,000
Brokerage	22,701,000		25,670,000		71,282,000		77,868,000
Management fees	13,426,000		18,476,000		42,032,000		48,062,000
Incentive income	1,699,000		(643,000)		8,303,000		10,217,000
Investment Income	9,152,000		(17,028,000)		38,543,000		22,881,000
Interest and dividends	0		0		0		0
Reimbursement from affiliates	0		0		0		0
Other revenue	381,000		(87,000)		694,000		486,000
Total revenues	66,025,000		37,204,000		211,404,000		199,355,000
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	46,249,000		42,198,000		133,803,000		127,302,000
Interest and dividends	131,000		182,000		278,000		617,000
Non-compensation expenses - Fixed	24,016,000		25,812,000		69,748,000		73,675,000
Non-compensation expenses - Variable	5,720,000		9,925,000		19,733,000		31,379,000
Non-compensation expenses	0		0		0		0
Reimbursement from affiliates	(1,467,000)		(1,028,000)		(4,018,000)		(3,186,000)
Total expenses	74,649,000		77,089,000		219,544,000		229,787,000
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	0		0		0		0
Bargain purchase gain							0	[1]
Total other income (loss)	0		0		0		0
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	(8,624,000)		(39,885,000)		(8,140,000)		(30,432,000)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	0		0		0		0
Net income (loss)	(8,624,000)		(39,885,000)		(8,140,000)		(30,432,000)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			0				0
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(301,000)		(810,000)		(900,000)		(2,750,000)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	(8,925,000)		(40,695,000)		(9,040,000)		(33,182,000)
Alternative Investment [Member] | Reported Under Economic Income/(Loss) [Member]
Revenues
Investment banking	0		0		0		0
Brokerage	0		306,000		0		380,000
Management fees	13,426,000		18,476,000		42,032,000		48,062,000
Incentive income	1,699,000		(643,000)		8,303,000		10,217,000
Investment Income	6,864,000		(13,795,000)		30,361,000		20,027,000
Interest and dividends	0		0		0		0
Reimbursement from affiliates	0		0		0		0
Other revenue	168,000		41,000		508,000		1,015,000
Total revenues	22,157,000		4,385,000		81,204,000		79,701,000
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	11,759,000		10,724,000		42,705,000		41,595,000
Interest and dividends	93,000		52,000		123,000		157,000
Non-compensation expenses - Fixed	8,564,000		7,445,000		24,093,000		23,163,000
Non-compensation expenses - Variable	1,433,000		4,315,000		3,881,000		13,002,000
Non-compensation expenses	0		0		0		0
Reimbursement from affiliates	(1,467,000)		(1,028,000)		(4,018,000)		(3,186,000)
Total expenses	20,382,000		21,508,000		66,784,000		74,731,000
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	0		0		0		0
Bargain purchase gain							0	[1]
Total other income (loss)	0		0		0		0
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	1,775,000		(17,123,000)		14,420,000		4,970,000
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	0		0		0		0
Net income (loss)	1,775,000		(17,123,000)		14,420,000		4,970,000
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			0				0
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(301,000)		(810,000)		(900,000)		(2,750,000)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	1,474,000		(17,933,000)		13,520,000		2,220,000
Broker-Dealer [Member] | Reported Under Economic Income/(Loss) [Member]
Revenues
Investment banking	18,666,000	[2]	10,816,000	[3]	50,550,000	[4]	39,841,000	[5]
Brokerage	22,701,000	[2]	25,364,000	[3]	71,282,000	[4]	77,488,000	[5]
Management fees	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Incentive income	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Investment Income	2,288,000	[2]	(3,233,000)	[3]	8,182,000	[4]	2,854,000	[5]
Interest and dividends	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Reimbursement from affiliates	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Other revenue	213,000	[2]	(128,000)	[3]	186,000	[4]	(529,000)	[5]
Total revenues	43,868,000	[2]	32,819,000	[3]	130,200,000	[4]	119,654,000	[5]
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	34,490,000	[2]	31,474,000	[3]	91,098,000	[4]	85,707,000	[5]
Interest and dividends	38,000	[2]	130,000	[3]	155,000	[4]	460,000	[5]
Non-compensation expenses - Fixed	15,452,000	[2]	18,367,000	[3]	45,655,000	[4]	50,512,000	[5]
Non-compensation expenses - Variable	4,287,000	[2]	5,610,000	[3]	15,852,000	[4]	18,377,000	[5]
Non-compensation expenses	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Reimbursement from affiliates	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Total expenses	54,267,000	[2]	55,581,000	[3]	152,760,000	[4]	155,056,000	[5]
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[2]	0	[5]
Bargain purchase gain							0	[1],[5]
Total other income (loss)	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	(10,399,000)	[2]	(22,762,000)	[3]	(22,560,000)	[4]	(35,402,000)	[5]
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Net income (loss)	(10,399,000)	[2]	(22,762,000)	[3]	(22,560,000)	[4]	(35,402,000)	[5]
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			0	[3]			0	[3]
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	(10,399,000)	[2]	(22,762,000)	[3]	(22,560,000)	[4]	(35,402,000)	[5]
Investment Income from Entity's Capital	2,300,000		5,100,000		8,200,000		1,300,000
Compensation Expense Related to Investment of Entity's Capital	800,000		1,700,000		2,700,000		200,000
Funds Consolidation [Member] | Reconciliation from Economic Income/(Loss) to U.S. GAAP [Member]
Revenues
Investment banking	0		0		0		0
Brokerage	0		0		0		0
Management fees	(362,000)		(428,000)		(1,150,000)		(1,407,000)
Incentive income	0		0		0		0
Investment Income	0		0		0		0
Interest and dividends	0		0		0		0
Reimbursement from affiliates	(97,000)		(49,000)		(222,000)		(217,000)
Other revenue	0		0		0		0
Total revenues	(186,000)		(176,000)		(898,000)		(1,010,000)
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	0		0		0		0
Interest and dividends	0		0		0		0
Non-compensation expenses - Fixed	0		0		0		0
Non-compensation expenses - Variable	0		0		0		0
Non-compensation expenses	0		0		0		0
Reimbursement from affiliates	0		0		0		0
Total expenses	330,000		1,135,000		1,339,000		2,635,000
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	0		0		0		0
Bargain purchase gain							0	[1]
Total other income (loss)	(815,000)		(619,000)		119,000		3,031,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	(1,331,000)		(1,930,000)		(2,118,000)		(614,000)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	0		0		0		0
Net income (loss)	(1,331,000)		(1,930,000)		(2,118,000)		(614,000)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			0				0
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	1,331,000		1,930,000		2,118,000		614,000
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	0		0		0		0
Other Adjustments [Member] | Reconciliation from Economic Income/(Loss) to U.S. GAAP [Member]
Revenues
Investment banking	0		0		0		0
Brokerage	0		0		0		0
Management fees	(4,198,000)	[6]	(3,270,000)	[6]	(12,367,000)	[6]	(8,856,000)	[6]
Incentive income	(283,000)	[6]	(1,180,000)	[6]	(5,616,000)	[6]	(6,984,000)	[6]
Investment Income	(9,152,000)	[7]	17,028,000	[7]	(38,543,000)	[7]	(22,881,000)	[7]
Interest and dividends	3,605,000	[7]	10,930,000	[7]	14,845,000	[7]	21,330,000	[7]
Reimbursement from affiliates	1,467,000	[8]	1,027,000	[8]	4,018,000	[8]	3,185,000	[8]
Other revenue	320,000	[7]	396,000	[7]	1,704,000	[7]	744,000	[7]
Total revenues	(8,241,000)		24,931,000		(35,959,000)		(13,462,000)
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	1,073,000		1,453,000		3,299,000		5,011,000
Interest and dividends	1,826,000	[7]	1,722,000	[7]	6,610,000	[7]	7,010,000	[7]
Non-compensation expenses - Fixed	(24,016,000)	[7],[9]	(25,812,000)	[7],[9]	(69,748,000)	[7],[9]	(73,675,000)	[7],[9]
Non-compensation expenses - Variable	(5,720,000)	[7],[9]	(9,925,000)	[7],[9]	(19,733,000)	[7],[9]	(31,379,000)	[7],[9]
Non-compensation expenses	29,445,000	[7],[9]	34,340,000	[7],[9]	87,889,000	[7],[9]	101,911,000	[7],[9]
Reimbursement from affiliates	1,467,000	[8]	1,028,000	[8]	4,018,000	[8]	3,186,000	[8]
Total expenses	4,075,000		2,806,000		12,335,000		12,064,000
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	12,510,000	[7]	(21,989,000)	[7]	41,969,000	[7]	(4,631,000)	[7]
Bargain purchase gain							22,244,000	[1]
Total other income (loss)	10,816,000		(24,168,000)		43,287,000		18,299,000
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	(1,500,000)		(2,043,000)		(5,007,000)		(7,227,000)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	163,000	[8]	72,000	[8]	496,000	[8]	(17,720,000)	[8]
Net income (loss)	(1,663,000)		(2,115,000)		(5,503,000)		10,493,000
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			(5,087,000)	[10]			(5,087,000)	[10]
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	3,000		(337,000)		7,000		(337,000)
Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	(1,660,000)		(7,539,000)		(5,496,000)		5,069,000
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Reported Under U.S. GAAP [Member]
Revenues
Total revenues	273,000		301,000		474,000		614,000
Expenses
Total expenses	330,000		1,135,000		1,339,000		2,635,000
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	(2,509,000)		(2,798,000)		1,437,000		3,717,000
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Reported Under Economic Income/(Loss) [Member]
Revenues
Total revenues	0		0		0		0
Expenses
Total expenses	0		0		0		0
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	0		0		0		0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Alternative Investment [Member] | Reported Under Economic Income/(Loss) [Member]
Revenues
Total revenues	0		0		0		0
Expenses
Total expenses	0		0		0		0
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	0		0		0		0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Broker-Dealer [Member] | Reported Under Economic Income/(Loss) [Member]
Revenues
Total revenues	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Expenses
Total expenses	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[5]
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	0	[2]	0	[3]	0	[2]	0	[5]
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Funds Consolidation [Member] | Reconciliation from Economic Income/(Loss) to U.S. GAAP [Member]
Revenues
Total revenues	273,000		301,000		474,000		614,000
Expenses
Total expenses	330,000		1,135,000		1,339,000		2,635,000
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	(815,000)		(619,000)		119,000		3,031,000
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Other Adjustments [Member] | Reconciliation from Economic Income/(Loss) to U.S. GAAP [Member]
Revenues
Total revenues	0		0		0		0
Expenses
Total expenses	0		0		0		0
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	$ (1,694,000)		$ (2,179,000)		$ 1,318,000		$ 686,000

[1] Economic Income excludes the bargain purchase gain which resulted from the LaBranche acquisition.

[2] For the three months ended September 30, 2012 the Company has reflected $2.3 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $0.8 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

[3] For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company has reflected an adjustment of $5.1 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $1.7 million out of the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

[4] For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company has reflected $8.2 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $2.7 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

[5] For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company has reflected $1.3 million of investment income and related compensation expense of $0.2 million within the broker-dealer segment in proportion to its capital.

[6] Economic Income (Loss) recognizes revenues (i) net of distribution fees paid to agents and (ii) our proportionate share of management and incentive fees of certain real estate operating entities and the activist business (2012 only).

[7] Economic Income (Loss) recognizes Company income from proprietary trading net of related expenses.

[8] Economic Income (Loss) excludes income taxes as management does not consider this item when evaluating the performance of the segment. Also, reimbursement from affiliates is shown as a reduction of Economic Income expenses, but is included as a part of revenues under US GAAP.

[9] Economic Income (Loss) recognizes the Company's proportionate share of expenses for certain real estate and other operating entities for which the investments are recorded under the equity method of accounting for investments.

[10] Economic Income (Loss) excludes discontinued operations.

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Defined Benefit Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following amounts relate to the above plans in aggregate for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, and 2011:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost included in employee compensation and benefits
Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Interest cost	53			60			159			198
Expected return on plan assets	(60		)	(71		)	(176		)	(207		)
Amortization of (loss) / gain	—			—			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost	5			5			15			15
Effect of settlement	(17		)	1			(20		)	(30		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(19	)	$	(5	)	$	(22	)	$	(24	)

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Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Real Estate Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	$ 70,151	$ 59,943
Operating Entities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	70,151	59,943
Operating Entities [Member] | Real Estate Investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	2,102	2,353
RCG RE Manager, LLC [Member] | Operating Entities [Member] | Real Estate Equity Investment [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	1,800	1,600
RCG RE Manager, LLC [Member] | Operating Entities [Member] | Real Estate Debt Investment [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	$ 300	$ 800

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Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans - Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units (Details) (Equity Plans [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Nonvested Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units
Balance outstanding, beginning of period, shares	7,517,682
Granted, shares	8,381,939
Vested, shares	(4,337,252)
Cancelled, shares	0
Forfeited, shares	(778,541)
Balance outstanding, end of period, shares	10,783,828
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance outstanding, beginning of period, in dollars per share	$ 5.57
Granted, in dollars per share	$ 2.82
Vested, in dollars per share	$ 3.95
Cancelled, in dollars per share	$ 0.00
Forfeited, in dollars per share	$ 3.52
Balance outstanding, end of period, in dollars per share	$ 4.23
Unrecognized compensation expense	$ 27.9
Restricted Shares [Member]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted-average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense	1 year 6 months 22 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted-average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense	1 year 6 months 22 days

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Receivables from and Payable to Brokers (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012 broker	Dec. 31, 2011
Brokers and Dealers [Abstract]
Receivable from brokers	$ 103,825	$ 62,046
Payable to brokers	$ 203,250	$ 213,360
Number of brokers (brokers)	8

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Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Total revenues, net of interest expense				$ 869
Loss from discontinued operations				(5,087)
Income tax expense/(benefit)				0
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$ 0	$ 5,087	$ 0	$ 5,087

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Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisition

Acquisitions

Algorithmic Trading Management, LLC

On April 5, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding interests in ATM USA, LLC ("ATM USA"), Algorithmic Trading Management, LLC ("ATM LLC") and Algo Trading Management Inc. ("ATM INC") (collectively the “ATM Group”), a provider of global, multi-asset class algorithmic execution trading models. The acquisition was completed in accordance with the definitive sale and purchase agreement, entered into on January 13, 2012, as announced during the first quarter of 2012, for cash. In the aggregate, the purchase price, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were not significant and the near term impact to the Company and its consolidated results of operations and cash flows is not expected to be significant. Post acquisition, the ATM Group is included in the broker-dealer segment.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). As such, results of operations for the ATM Group are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations since the date of acquisition, and the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and the resulting goodwill were recorded at their fair values within their respective line item on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.

LaBranche & Co Inc.

The acquisition of LaBranche & Co Inc. ("LaBranche") by the Company was consummated after the market close on June 28, 2011. LaBranche's wholly owned subsidiary, Cowen Capital LLC (formerly LaBranche Capital LLC), is a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member firm that, prior to the operations being discontinued in the fourth quarter of 2011, operated as a market-maker in exchange traded funds ("ETFs"), engaged in hedging activities in options, ETFs, structured notes, foreign currency securities and futures related to its market-making operations and also conducted principal trading activities in these securities.

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each outstanding share of LaBranche was converted into 0.9980 shares of Cowen Class A common stock (the "Exchange Ratio"). The consideration received by LaBranche's shareholders was valued at approximately $156.0 million in the aggregate, based on the closing price of Cowen Class A common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market of $3.82 on June 28, 2011. This is based on 40,931,997 shares of LaBranche stock that were outstanding on the date of the completion of the acquisition.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with US GAAP. In this case, the acquisition was accounted for as an acquisition by Cowen of LaBranche. As such, results of operations for LaBranche are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations since the date of acquisition, and the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values. The fair value of Cowen shares issued to LaBranche shareholders was the purchase consideration for the acquisition. Based on the June 28, 2011 purchase price allocation, the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed amounted to $176.0 million (excluding $2.3 million non-compete agreements and covenants with limiting conditions acquired), exceeding the fair value of the purchase price of $156.0 million. As a result, the Company recognized a nonrecurring bargain purchase gain of approximately $22.2 million in the second quarter of 2011, which is included in other income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. As the purchase consideration (the Exchange Ratio) was determined based on the stock price of Cowen on June 28, 2011, the purchase price allocation based on the fair value of LaBranche's net assets at acquisition date reflected in these condensed consolidated financial statements has resulted in a bargain purchase gain.

The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation of net tangible and intangible assets acquired as of June 28, 2011:

	(dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	117,496
Cash collateral pledged	1,127
Securities owned, at fair value	221,855
Other investments	2,569
Receivable from brokers	93,754
Fixed assets, net	8,804
Intangibles	2,770
Other assets	5,137
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	(175,391		)
Payable to brokers	(81,536		)
Compensation payable	(3,521		)
Fees payable	(969		)
Unfavorable lease	(3,388		)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(12,725		)
Total net assets acquired	$	175,982
Non compete agreements and covenants with limiting conditions acquired	2,310
Goodwill/(Bargain purchase gain) on transaction	(22,244		)
Total purchase price	$	156,048

The Company believes that all of the acquired receivables and contractual amounts receivable as reflected above in the allocation of the purchase price are recorded at fair value.

The Company recognized approximately $0.6 million and $2.9 million of acquisition-related costs, including legal, accounting, and valuation services, for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2011, respectively. These costs are included in professional, advisory and other fees and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the subsidiaries acquired through the LaBranche acquisition were discontinued (See Note 4). As a result, no unaudited supplemental proforma information is presented.

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Goodwill ATM Acquisition (Details) (ATM Group [Member], Broker-Dealer [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
ATM Group [Member] | Broker-Dealer [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 6.2

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Organization and Business (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 segment	Sep. 30, 2012 segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of business segments, in segments	2	2

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Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

During the third quarter of 2012 the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire KDC Securities, LP (“KDC”), a securities lending business. KDC is the broker-dealer subsidiary of Kellner Capital, LLC, an alternative investment manager. The transaction closed on November 1, 2012. The Company is in the process of finalizing the initial accounting under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with US GAAP. In the aggregate, the purchase price, net assets acquired and liabilities assumed were not significant and the near term impact to the Company and its condensed consolidated results of operations and cash flows are not expected to be significant. 

As of November 1, 2012, the Company no longer offers cash management services.

The Company has evaluated events through November 8, 2012 which is the date the condensed consolidated financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no additional subsequent events requiring adjustment or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Guarantees and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Guarantees [Abstract]

Guarantees

Guarantees and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Guarantees

US GAAP requires the Company to disclose information about its obligations under certain guarantee arrangements. Those standards define guarantees as contracts and indemnification agreements that contingently require a guarantor to make payments to the guaranteed party based on changes in an underlying security (such as an interest or foreign exchange rate, security or commodity price, an index or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a specified event) related to an asset, liability or equity security of a guaranteed party. Those standards also define guarantees as contracts that contingently require the guarantor to make payments to the guaranteed party based on another entity's failure to perform under an agreement as well as indirect guarantees of the indebtedness of others.

In the normal course of its operations, the Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote.

The Company indemnifies and guarantees certain service providers, such as clearing and custody agents, trustees and administrators, against specified potential losses in connection with their acting as an agent of, or providing services to, the Company or its affiliates. The Company also indemnifies some clients against potential losses incurred in the event specified third-party service providers, including sub-custodians and third-party brokers, improperly execute transactions. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnifications cannot be estimated. However, the Company believes that it is unlikely it will have to make significant payments under these arrangements and has not recorded any contingent liability in the condensed consolidated financial statements for these indemnifications.

The Company is a member of various securities exchanges. Under the standard membership agreements, members are required to guarantee the performance of other members and, accordingly, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the exchange, all other members would be required to meet the shortfall. The Company's liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities it has posted as collateral. However, management believes that the potential for the Company to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for these arrangements.

The Company also provides representations and warranties to counterparties in connection with a variety of commercial transactions and occasionally indemnifies them against potential losses caused by the breach of those representations and warranties. The Company may also provide standard indemnifications to some counterparties to protect them in the event additional taxes are owed or payments are withheld, due either to a change in or adverse application of certain tax laws. These indemnifications generally are standard contractual terms and are entered into in the normal course of business. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnifications cannot be estimated. However, the Company believes it is unlikely it will have to make material payments under these arrangements and has not recorded any contingent liability in the condensed consolidated financial statements for these indemnifications.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no material off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. However, through indemnification provisions in our clearing agreement, customer activities may expose us to off-balance-sheet credit risk. Pursuant to the clearing agreement, the Company is required to reimburse our clearing broker, without limit, for any losses incurred due to a counterparty's failure to satisfy its contractual obligations. However, these transactions are collateralized by the underlying security, thereby reducing the associated risk to changes in the market value of the security through the settlement date. The Company is a member of various securities exchanges. Under the standard membership agreement, members are required to guarantee the performance of other members and, accordingly, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the exchange, all other members would be required to meet the shortfall. The Company's liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities it has posted as collateral. However, management believes that the potential for the Company to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no contingent liability is carried in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for these arrangements.

In addition, during the normal course of business, the Company has exposure to a number of risks including market risk, currency risk, credit risk, operational risk, liquidity risk and legal risk. As part of the Company's risk management process, these risks are monitored on a regular basis throughout the course of the year.

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Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	$ 0	$ 166,260,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	123,839,000	228,783,000
Operating Entities [Member] | Securities Owned at Fair Value [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Securities pledged by the Company as collateral	130,300,000	243,100,000
Operating Entities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Securities received by the Company as collateral		166,700,000
Operating Entities [Member] | Maturity on Demand [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	123,839,000	228,783,000
Operating Entities [Member] | Royal Bank of Canada [Member] | Maturity on Demand [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	29,039,000	49,450,000
Operating Entities [Member] | Royal Bank of Canada [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Maturity on Demand [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Interest rates on repurchase agreements	2.12%	1.53%
Operating Entities [Member] | Royal Bank of Canada [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Maturity on Demand [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Interest rates on repurchase agreements	2.20%	1.58%
Operating Entities [Member] | Barclays Capital Inc [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		166,260,000
Operating Entities [Member] | Barclays Capital Inc [Member] | Maturity on Demand [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	$ 94,800,000	$ 179,333,000
Operating Entities [Member] | Barclays Capital Inc [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Interest rates on resell agreements		(0.38%)
Operating Entities [Member] | Barclays Capital Inc [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Maturity on Demand [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Interest rates on repurchase agreements	0.25%	0.03%
Operating Entities [Member] | Barclays Capital Inc [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Interest rates on resell agreements		0.25%
Operating Entities [Member] | Barclays Capital Inc [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Maturity on Demand [Member]
Assets Purchased Under Agreements to Resell or Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Line Items]
Interest rates on repurchase agreements	0.27%	0.08%

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Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 28, 2011 LaBranche and Co Inc. [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 LaBranche and Co Inc. [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 LaBranche and Co Inc. [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 LaBranche and Co Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Conversion ratio, shares of Company's stock issued per share of Acquiree's stock						0.9980
Shares issued in acquisition, value						$ 156,000,000
Closing stock price	$ 2.71		$ 2.71		$ 2.59	$ 3.82
Shares outstanding, in shares						40,931,997
Net assets acquired						175,982,000
Non compete agreements and covenants with limiting conditions acquired						2,310,000
Total purchase price						156,048,000
Bargain purchase gain recognized	0	0	0	22,244,000		22,244,000		22,244,000
Acquisition related costs							$ 600,000		$ 2,900,000

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of presentation

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) related to interim financial statements. Results for interim periods should not be considered indicative of results for any other interim period or for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, included in the Form 10-K of Cowen Group as filed with the SEC on March 9, 2012. The financial information contained herein is unaudited; however, management believes all adjustments have been made that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by US GAAP. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain fund entities that are consolidated in these condensed consolidated financial statements, as further discussed below, are not subject to these consolidation provisions with respect to their own investments pursuant to their specialized accounting.

The Company serves as the managing member/general partner and/or investment manager to affiliated fund entities which it sponsors and manages. Funds in which the Company has a controlling financial interest are consolidated with the Company pursuant to US GAAP as described below. Consequently, the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of these funds on a gross basis. The ownership interests in these funds that are not owned by the Company are reflected as redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The management fees and incentive income earned by the Company from these funds are eliminated in consolidation.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of consolidation

The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting operating entity ("VOE") or a variable interest entity ("VIE") under US GAAP.

Voting Operating Entities—VOEs are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders at risk have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance. VOEs are consolidated in accordance with US GAAP.

Under US GAAP, the usual condition for a controlling financial interest in a VOE is ownership of a majority voting interest. Accordingly, the Company consolidates VOEs in which it owns a majority of the entity's voting shares or units. US GAAP also provides that a general partner of a limited partnership (or a managing member, in the case of a limited liability company) is presumed to control the partnership, and thus should consolidate it, unless a simple majority of the limited partners has the right to remove the general partner without cause or to terminate the partnership. In accordance with these standards, the Company presently consolidatessevenfunds deemed to be VOEs for which it acts as the general partner and investment manager.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company consolidates the following funds (the “2012 Consolidated Funds”): Ramius Enterprise LP (“Enterprise LP”), Ramius Multi‑Strategy Master FOF LP (“Multi‑Strat Master FOF”), Ramius Vintage Multi‑Strategy Master FOF LP (“Vintage Master FOF”), Ramius Levered Multi‑Strategy FOF LP (“Levered FOF”), and RTS Global 3X Fund LP (“RTS Global 3X”). As of December 31, 2011, the Company consolidated the following funds (the “2011 Consolidated Funds”): Enterprise LP, Ramius Multi‑Strategy FOF LP (“Multi‑Strat FOF”), Ramius Vintage Multi‑Strategy FOF LP (“Vintage FOF”), Levered FOF and RTS Global 3X. Effective January 1, 2012, Multi-Strat FOF and Vintage FOF collapsed their operations into their respective master funds, Multi-Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF due to a winding down decision earlier adopted by the Boards of Directors of the respective funds. This resulted in the Company's voting shares or units being held directly at the master funds level and thus consolidating them. Collectively the 2012 Consolidated Funds and the 2011 Consolidated Funds are referred to as the Consolidated Funds.

The Company also consolidates RCG Linkem II LLC, an investment company that was formed to make an investment in a wireless broadband communication provider in Italy, and Cowen Bluebird LLC, an investment company that was formed to make an investment in a company which works on the development of innovative gene therapies for severe genetic disorders. The Company determined that RCG Linkem II LLC and Cowen Bluebird LLC are VOE's due to its controlling equity interests held through the managing member and/or affiliates, and control exercised by the managing member who is not subject to substantive removal rights.

Variable Interest Entities—VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a VOE. In accordance with US GAAP, an enterprise must consolidate all VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. Under the US GAAP consolidation model for VIEs, an enterprise that (1) has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impacts the VIE's economic performance, and (2) has an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and thus is required to consolidate it.

However, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has deferred the application of the revised consolidation model for VIEs that meet the following conditions: (a) the entity has all the attributes of an investment company as defined under AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, or does not have all the attributes of an investment company but is an entity for which it is acceptable based on industry practice to apply measurement principles that are consistent with investment companies, (b) the reporting entity does not have explicit or implicit obligations to fund any losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity, and (c) the entity is not a securitization entity, asset‑backed financing entity or an entity that was formerly considered a qualifying special‑purpose entity. The Company's involvement with its funds is such that allthreeof the above conditions are met. Where the VIEs have qualified for the deferral, the analysis is based on previous consolidation rules. These rules require an analysis to (a) determine whether an entity in which the Company holds a variable interest is a variable interest entity and (b) whether the Company's involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (e.g., management and performance related fees), would be expected to absorb a majority of the VIE's expected losses, receive a majority of the VIEs expected residual returns, or both. If these conditions are met, the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and thus is required to consolidate it. Under both guidelines, the Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a variable interest entity and reconsiders that conclusion on a periodic basis.

The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by performing a periodic qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of the VIE that includes a review of, among other things, its capital structure, contractual agreements between the Company and the VIE, the economic interests that create or absorb variability, related party relationships and the design of the VIE. As of September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the Company does not consolidate any VIEs.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company holds a variable interest in Ramius Enterprise Master Fund Ltd (“Enterprise Master”) (the “2012 Unconsolidated Master Fund”) throughoneof its Consolidated Funds, Enterprise LP. As of December 31, 2011, the Company held a variable interest in Enterprise Master, Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF (the “2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds”) throughthreeof its Consolidated Funds: Enterprise LP, Multi‑Strat FOF and Vintage FOF (the “2011 Consolidated Feeder Funds”), respectively. Investment companies, which account for their investments under the specialized industry accounting guidance for investment companies prescribed under US GAAP, are not subject to the consolidation provisions for their investments. Therefore, the Company has not consolidated the 2012 or 2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds. Collectively the 2012 Unconsolidated Master Funds and the 2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds are referred to as the Unconsolidated Master Funds.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company also sponsors various other entities that it has determined to be VIEs. These VIEs are primarily funds and real estate entities for which the Company serves as the general partner, managing member and/or investment manager with decision-making rights.

The Company does not consolidate any of these funds or real estate entities that are VIEs as it has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary in each instance. Fund investors are entitled to all of the economics of these VIEs with the exception of the management fee and incentive income, if any, earned by the Company. The Company's involvement with funds and real estate entities that are unconsolidated VIEs is limited to providing investment management services in exchange for management fees and incentive income. Although the Company may advance amounts and pay certain expenses on behalf of the funds and real estate entities that it considers to be VIEs, it does not provide, nor is it required to provide, any type of substantive financial support to these entities outside of regular investment management services.

The total assets and liabilities of the variable interest entities for which the Company has concluded that it holds a variable interest, but for which it is not the primary beneficiary, are$217.2 millionand$1.7 millionas of September 30, 2012and$259.2 millionand$2.0 millionas ofDecember 31, 2011, respectively. In addition, the maximum exposure relating to these variable interest entities as ofSeptember 30, 2012was$175.4 million, and as ofDecember 31, 2011was$211.0 million, all of which is included in other investments, at fair value in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The exposure to loss primarily relates to the respective 2012 or 2011 Consolidated Feeder Funds' investment in their respective 2012 or 2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds as ofSeptember 30, 2012and December 31, 2011. See Note 6 for further information regarding the Company's investments.

Equity Method Investments—For operating entities over which the Company exercises significant influence but which do not meet the requirements for consolidation as outlined above, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. The Company's investments in equity method investees are recorded in other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company's share of earnings or losses from equity method investees is included in net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Company evaluates for impairment its equity method investments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. The difference between the carrying value of the equity method investment and its estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment charge when the loss in value is deemed other than temporary.

Other—If the Company does not consolidate an entity, apply the equity method of accounting or account for an investment under the cost method, the Company accounts for all securities which are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term as trading securities in accordance with US GAAP, at fair value with unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Retention of Specialized Accounting—The Consolidated Funds are investment companies and apply specialized industry accounting for investment companies. The Company has retained this specialized accounting for these funds pursuant to US GAAP. The Consolidated Funds report their investments on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at their estimated fair value, with unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and other transactions. Accordingly, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect different accounting policies for investments depending on whether or not they are held through a consolidated investment company. In addition, the Company's broker‑dealer subsidiaries, Cowen and Company, LLC (“Cowen and Company”), Cowen Capital LLC, Cowen International Limited ("CIL"), Cowen International Trading Limited (“CITL”), Cowen and Company (Asia) Limited (“CCAL”), and Cowen Structured Products Hong Kong Limited (“CSPH”), apply the specialized industry accounting for brokers and dealers in securities also prescribed under US GAAP. The Company also has retained this specialized accounting in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Use of estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of securities and other investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, the accounting for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to conform with current period presentation.

Valuation of Investments and Derivative Contracts

Valuation of investments and derivative contracts

US GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). Thethreelevels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has

the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2     Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including

inputs in markets that are not considered to be active; and

Level 3 Fair value is determined based on pricing inputs that are unobservable and includes situations where there is little,

if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The determination of fair value for assets and liabilities in this

category requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Inputs are used in applying the various valuation techniques and broadly refer to the assumptions that market participants use to make valuation decisions, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may include price information, volatility statistics, specific and broad credit data, liquidity statistics, and other factors. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. However, the determination of what constitutes “observable” requires significant judgment by the Company. The Company considers observable data to be that market data which is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market. The categorization of a financial instrument within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the instrument and does not necessarily correspond to the Company's perceived risk of that instrument.

The Company and its operating company subsidiaries act as the manager for the Consolidated Funds. Both the Company and the Consolidated Funds hold certain investments which are valued by the Company, acting as the investment manager. The fair value of these investments is generally estimated based on proprietary models developed by the Company, which include discounted cash flow analysis, public market comparables, and other techniques and may be based, at least in part, on independently sourced market information. The material estimates and assumptions used in these models include the timing and expected amount of cash flows, the appropriateness of discount rates used, and, in some cases, the ability to execute, timing of, and estimated proceeds from expected financings. Significant judgment and estimation goes into the selection of an appropriate valuation methodology as well as the assumptions used in these models, and the timing and actual values realized with respect to investments could be materially different from values derived based on the use of those estimates. The valuation methodologies applied impact the reported value of the Company's investments and the investments held by the Consolidated Funds in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Certain of the Company's investments are relatively illiquid or thinly traded and may not be immediately liquidated on demand if needed. Fair values assigned to these investments may differ significantly from the fair values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed and such differences could be material.

The Company primarily uses the “market approach” to value its financial instruments measured at fair value. In determining an instrument's level within the hierarchy, the Company separates the Company's financial instruments intothreecategories: securities, derivative contracts and other investments. To the extent applicable, each of these categories can further be divided between those held long or sold short.

Securities—Securities whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, and are therefore classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, include active listed equities, certain U.S. government and sovereign obligations, ETF's and certain money market securities. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Certain positions for which there is a limited market, consisting primarily of convertible debt, corporate debt and loans, are stated at fair value. The estimated fair values assigned by management are determined in good faith and are based on available information considering, among other things, quotations provided by published pricing services, counterparties and other market participants, and pricing models using quoted inputs, and do not necessarily represent the amounts which might ultimately be realized. Such positions that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources which are supported by observable inputs are classified within level 2. As level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets and/or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability.

Derivative contracts—Derivative contracts can be exchange‑traded or privately negotiated over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange‑traded derivatives, such as futures contracts and exchange traded option contracts, are typically classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether or not they are deemed to be actively traded. OTC derivatives, such as generic forwards, swaps and options, have inputs which can generally be corroborated by market data and are therefore classified within level 2. Futures, equity swaps and credit default swaps are included within other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and all other derivatives are included within securities owned, at fair value on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Other investments—Other investments consist primarily of portfolio funds, real estate investments and equity method investments, which are valued as follows:

i. Portfolio funds—Portfolio funds (“Portfolio Funds”) include interests in funds and investment companies managed by the Company or its affiliates. The Company follows US GAAP regarding fair value measurements and disclosures relating to investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent). The guidance permits, as a practical expedient, an entity holding investments in certain entities that either are investment companies as defined by the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, or have attributes similar to an investment company, and calculate net asset value per share or its equivalent for which the fair value is not readily determinable, to measure the fair value of such investments on the basis of that NAV per share, or its equivalent, without adjustment.

The Company categorizes its investments in Portfolio Funds within the fair value hierarchy dependent on its ability to redeem the investment. If the Company has the ability to redeem its investment at NAV at the measurement date or within the near term, the Portfolio Fund is categorized as a level 2 investment within the fair value hierarchy. If the Company does not know when it will have the ability to redeem its investment or cannot do so in the near term, the Portfolio Fund is categorized as a level 3 investment within the fair value hierarchy.See Notes 6 and 7 for further details of the Company's investments in Portfolio Funds.

ii. Real estate investments—Real estate investments are valued at fair value. The fair value of real estate investments are estimated based on the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between marketplace participants at the measurement date. Real estate investments without a public market are valued based on assumptions and valuation techniques used by the Company. Such valuation techniques may include discounted cash flow analysis, prevailing market capitalization rates or earnings multiples applied to earnings from the investment, analysis of recent comparable sales transactions, actual sale negotiations and bona fide purchase offers received from third parties, consideration of the amount that currently would be required to replace the asset, as adjusted for obsolescence, as well as independent external appraisals. In general, the Company considers several valuation techniques when measuring the fair value of a real estate investment. However, in certain circumstances, a single valuation technique may be appropriate. Real estate investments are reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Company for significant changes at the property level or a significant change in the overall market which would impact the value of the real estate investment resulting in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

The Company also reflects its real estate equity investments net of investment level financing. Valuation adjustments attributable to underlying financing arrangements are considered in the real estate equity valuation based on amounts at which the financing liabilities could be transferred to market participants at the measurement date.

Real estate and capital markets are cyclical in nature. Property and investment values are affected by, among other things, the availability of capital, occupancy rates, rental rates and interest and inflation rates. In addition, the Company invests in real estate and real estate related investments for which no liquid market exists. The market prices for such investments may be volatile and may not be readily ascertainable. Amounts ultimately realized by the Company from investments sold may differ from the fair values presented, and the differences could be material.

The Company's real estate investments are typically categorized as a level 3 investment within the fair value hierarchy as management uses significant unobservable inputs in determining their estimated fair value.

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

The Company uses securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“Repurchase Agreements”) as part of its liquidity management activities and to support its trading and risk management activities. In particular, securities purchased and sold under Repurchase Agreements are used for short-term liquidity purposes. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 Repurchase Agreements are secured predominantly by liquid corporate credit and/or government issued securities. The use of Repurchase Agreements will fluctuate with the Company's need to fund short term credit or obtain competitive short term credit financing. The Company's securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were transacted pursuant to agreements with multiple counterparties as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Collateral is valued daily and the Company and its counterparties may adjust the collateral or require additional collateral to be deposited when appropriate. Collateral held by counterparties may be sold or re-hypothecated by such counterparties, subject to certain limitations sometimes imposed by the Company. Collateralized Repurchase Agreements may result in credit exposure in the event the counterparties to the transactions are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. The Company minimizes the credit risk associated with this activity by monitoring credit exposure and collateral values, and by requiring additional collateral to be promptly deposited with or returned to the Company when deemed necessary.

Deferred Rent

Deferred Rent

Deferred rent primarily consists of step rent, allowances from landlords and valuing the Company's lease properties in accordance with US GAAP. Step rent represents the difference between actual operating lease payments due and straight-line rent expense, which is recorded by the Company over the term of the lease, including the build-out period. This amount is recorded as deferred rent in the early years of the lease, when cash payments are generally lower than straight-line rent expense, and reduced in the later years of the lease when payments begin to exceed the straight-line expense. Landlord allowances are generally comprised of amounts received and/or promised to the Company by landlords and may be received in the form of cash or free rent. These allowances are part of the negotiated terms of the lease. The Company recorded a receivable from the landlord and a deferred rent liability when the allowances are earned. This deferred rent is amortized into income (through lower rent expense) over the term (including the pre-opening build-out period) of the applicable lease, and the receivable is reduced as amounts are received from the landlord. Liabilities resulting from valuing the Company's leased properties acquired through business combinations are quantified by comparing the current fair value of the leased space to the current rental payments on the date of acquisition. Deferred rent, included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is $14.0 million and $15.3 million, respectively.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New accounting pronouncements

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In July 2012, the FASB issued guidance for testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. The guidance permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset, other than goodwill, is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. The update does not revise the requirement to test indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment, or more frequently if deemed appropriate. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that this update will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In December 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance which will enhance disclosures required by US GAAP by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (1) offset or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset. This information will enable users of an entity's financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity's financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with certain financial instruments and derivative instruments. An entity is required to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Company already discloses the derivative transactions and repurchase / resale agreements on a gross basis on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and is currently evaluating the impact of the other disclosure requirements required under the amended guidance.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance clarifying how to measure fair value and requires additional disclosures regarding fair value measurements. The amendments, among other things, prohibit the use of blockage factors at all levels of the fair value hierarchy, provide guidance on measuring financial instruments that are managed on a net portfolio basis, and clarify guidance on the application of premiums and discounts in measuring fair value. Additional disclosure requirements include the disclosure of transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, and for Level 3, fair value measurements, a description of the valuation processes and additional information regarding unobservable inputs affecting Level 3 measurements. The amendments were effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2012. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to present the components of net income, the components of other comprehensive income and the total of comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In addition, in December 2011, the FASB issued additional guidance which indefinitely deferred the provision that requires the entity to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented. The adoption of these amendments did not have any impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows since the changes are limited to presentation of other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance simplifying how entities test goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to assess qualitative factors in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under US GAAP. This was effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2012. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have any impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Income Taxes

The taxable results of the Company's U.S. operations are included in the consolidated income tax returns of the Company as well as stand-alone state and local tax returns. The Company has subsidiaries that are resident in foreign countries where tax filings have to be submitted on a stand-alone basis. These subsidiaries are subject to tax in their respective countries and the Company is responsible for and, thus, reports all taxes incurred by these subsidiaries. The countries where the Company owns subsidiaries are United Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg, Gibraltar, Japan, Hong Kong, and China.

The Company calculates its U.S. tax provision using the estimated annual effective tax rate methodology. The tax expense or benefit caused by an unusual or infrequent item is recorded in the quarter in which it occurs. The Company uses the discrete methodology to calculate its income tax provision for its foreign subsidiaries.

Earnings Per Share

Diluted earnings per common share are calculated by adjusting the weighted average outstanding shares to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive nonvested restricted stock and stock options. The Company uses the treasury stock method to reflect the potential dilutive effect of the unvested restricted shares, restricted stock units and unexercised stock options. In calculating the number of dilutive shares outstanding, the shares of common stock underlying unvested restricted shares and restricted stock units are assumed to have been delivered, and options are assumed to have been exercised, on the grant date. The assumed proceeds from the assumed vesting, delivery and exercising were calculated as the sum of (a) the amount of compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized and (b) the amount of tax benefit that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming vesting and delivery of the restricted stock. The tax benefit is the amount resulting from a tax deduction for compensation in excess of compensation expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes. All outstanding stock options and unvested restricted shares were not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Segment Reporting

The performance measure for these segments is Economic Income (Loss), which management uses to evaluate the financial performance of and make operating decisions for the segments including determining appropriate compensation levels.

In general, Economic Income (Loss) is a pre-tax measure that (i) eliminates the impact of consolidation for consolidated funds, (ii) excludes equity award expense related to the November 2009 Ramius/Cowen transaction, (iii) excludes certain other acquisition-related and/or reorganization expenses (including the discontinued operations of LaBranche) and (iv) excludes the bargain purchase gain which resulted from the LaBranche acquisition (See Note 2). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) revenues include investment income that represents the income the Company has earned in investing its own capital, including realized and unrealized gains and losses, interest and dividends, net of associated investment related expenses. For US GAAP purposes, these items are included in each of their respective line items. Economic Income (Loss) revenues also include management fees, incentive income and investment income earned through the Company's investment as a general partner in certain real estate entities and the Company's investment in the Value and Opportunity business. For US GAAP purposes, all of these items are recorded in other income (loss). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) expenses are reduced by reimbursement from affiliates, which for US GAAP purposes is presented gross as part of revenue.

As further stated below, one major difference between Economic Income (Loss) and US GAAP net income (loss) is that Economic Income (Loss) presents the segments' results of operations without the impact resulting from the full consolidation of any of the Consolidated Funds. Consolidation of these funds results in including in income the pro rata share of the income or loss attributable to other owners of such entities which is reflected in net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiaries in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. This pro rata share has no effect on the overall financial performance for the alternative investment segment, as ultimately, this income or loss is not income or loss for the alternative investment segment itself. Included in Economic Income (Loss) is the actual pro rata share of the income or loss attributable to the Company as an investor in such entities, which is relevant in management making operating decisions and evaluating financial performance.

The following tables set forth operating results for the Company's alternative investment and broker dealer segments and related adjustments necessary to reconcile the Company's Economic Income (Loss) measure to arrive at the Company's consolidated US GAAP net income (loss):

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
										Adjustments
	Alternative Investment			Broker-Dealer (1)			Total Economic Income/(Loss)			Funds Consolidation			Other Adjustments				US GAAP
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
Investment banking	$	—		$	18,666		$	18,666		$	—		$	—			$	18,666
Brokerage	—			22,701			22,701			—			—				22,701
Management fees	13,426			—			13,426			(362		)	(4,198		)	(a)	8,866
Incentive income	1,699			—			1,699			—			(283		)	(a)	1,416
Investment Income	6,864			2,288			9,152			—			(9,152		)	(c)	—
Interest and dividends	—			—			—			—			3,605			(c)	3,605
Reimbursement from affiliates	—			—			—			(97		)	1,467			(b)	1,370
Other revenue	168			213			381			—			320			(c)	701
Consolidated Funds revenues	—			—			—			273			—				273
Total revenues	22,157			43,868			66,025			(186		)	(8,241		)		57,598
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	11,759			34,490			46,249			—			1,073				47,322
Interest and dividends	93			38			131			—			1,826			(c)	1,957
Non-compensation expenses—Fixed	8,564			15,452			24,016			—			(24,016		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses—Variable	1,433			4,287			5,720			—			(5,720		)	(c)(d)	—
Non-compensation expenses	—			—			—			—			29,445			(c)(d)	29,445
Reimbursement from affiliates	(1,467		)	—			(1,467		)	—			1,467			(b)	—
Consolidated Funds expenses	—			—			—			330			—				330
Total expenses	20,382			54,267			74,649			330			4,075				79,054
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	—			—			—			—			12,510			(c)	12,510
Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)	—			—			—			(815		)	(1,694		)		(2,509		)
Total other income (loss)	—			—			—			(815		)	10,816				10,001
Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests	1,775			(10,399		)	(8,624		)	(1,331		)	(1,500		)		(11,455		)
Income taxes expense / (benefit)	—			—			—			—			163			(b)	163
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests	1,775			(10,399		)	(8,624		)	(1,331		)	(1,663		)		(11,618		)
(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(301		)	—			(301		)	1,331			3				1,033
Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	1,474		$	(10,399	)	$	(8,925	)	$	—		$	(1,660	)		$	(10,585	)

(1) For the three months

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Acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation

The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation of net tangible and intangible assets acquired as of June 28, 2011:

	(dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	117,496
Cash collateral pledged	1,127
Securities owned, at fair value	221,855
Other investments	2,569
Receivable from brokers	93,754
Fixed assets, net	8,804
Intangibles	2,770
Other assets	5,137
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	(175,391		)
Payable to brokers	(81,536		)
Compensation payable	(3,521		)
Fees payable	(969		)
Unfavorable lease	(3,388		)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(12,725		)
Total net assets acquired	$	175,982
Non compete agreements and covenants with limiting conditions acquired	2,310
Goodwill/(Bargain purchase gain) on transaction	(22,244		)
Total purchase price	$	156,048

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Organization and Business

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Business

Organization and Business

Cowen Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation formed on June 1, 2009, is a diversified financial services firm and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “Cowen,” “Cowen Group” or the “Company”), provides alternative investment management, investment banking, research, market-making and sales and trading services through its two business segments: alternative investment and broker-dealer. The Company's alternative investment segment includes hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures funds, funds of funds, real estate, healthcare royalty funds, cash management services and mortgage advisory services offered primarily under the Ramius name. The broker-dealer segment offers research, brokerage and investment banking services to companies and institutional investor clients primarily in the healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, consumer, aerospace and defense, industrials, real estate investment trusts ("REITs") and alternative energy sectors, primarily under the Cowen name.

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Discontinued Operations (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

The results of operations related to the Company's discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are summarized below:

	Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Total revenues, net of interest expense	$	869
Loss from discontinued operations	(5,087		)
Income tax expense/(benefit)	—
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(5,087		)

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Treasury Stock (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Equity [Abstract]

Treasury Stock Activity

The following represents the activity relating to the treasury stock held by the Company during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Treasury stock shares	Cost (dollars in thousands)		Average cost per share
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	5,346,003	$	16,902	$	3.16
Shares purchased for minimum tax withholding under the Equity Plan	1,062,296	2,652		2.50
Purchase of treasury stock	3,211,852	8,252		2.57
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	9,620,151	$	27,806	$	2.89

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Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Equity Method Investments (Details) (USD $)						3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Clawback Obligation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] entities	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Net Gains (Losses) on Securities, Derivatives and Other Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Net Gains (Losses) on Securities, Derivatives and Other Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Net Gains (Losses) on Securities, Derivatives and Other Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Net Gains (Losses) on Securities, Derivatives and Other Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] RCG Longview Partners II, LLC [Member] Clawback Obligation [Member] Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investee, Exceeded Threshold for Income Test [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investee, Exceeded Threshold for Income Test [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Management, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Management, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Healthcare Royalty GP II, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Healthcare Royalty GP II, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Starboard Value L.P. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Starboard Value L.P. [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Longview Partners, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Longview Partners, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Longview Louisiana Manager, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Longview Louisiana Manager, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Urban American, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Urban American, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Urban American Management, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Urban American Management, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Longview Equity Management, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Longview Equity Management, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Urban American Real Estate Fund II, L.P. [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Urban American Real Estate Fund II, L.P. [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Kennedy House, LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] RCG Kennedy House, LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Equity Method Investee, Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Equity Method Investments [Member] Equity Method Investee, Other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage										9.70%																																30.00%	55.00%
Number of entities in which Company holds a majority				3
Other investments	$ 70,151,000	$ 59,943,000		$ 70,151,000	$ 59,943,000									$ 20,001,000	$ 16,687,000	$ 1,490,000	$ 1,980,000	$ 662,000	$ 513,000	$ 443,000	$ 258,000	$ 2,165,000	$ 2,423,000	$ 7,651,000	$ 3,693,000	$ 1,698,000	$ 1,569,000	$ 1,490,000	$ 1,140,000	$ 1,347,000	$ 1,258,000	$ 538,000	$ 1,096,000	$ 226,000	$ 557,000	$ 1,564,000	$ 1,541,000	$ 396,000	$ 323,000	$ 331,000	$ 336,000
Contractual obligation			6,200,000								6,200,000
Income (loss) from equity method investments						1,500,000	500,000	9,400,000	2,900,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Revenues												5,877,000	232,000
Expenses												(588,000)	105,000
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)												73,000	(21,000)
Net Income												$ 5,362,000	$ 316,000

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Short-Term Borrowings and Other Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 letters_of_credit		Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012 letters_of_credit		Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Components of short-term borrowings and other debt
Notes payable	$ 246,000				$ 246,000			$ 370,000
Capital lease obligations	4,270,000				4,270,000			5,280,000
Short-term borrowings and other debt	4,516,000				4,516,000			5,650,000
Capital leases entered into				6,300,000
Capital lease interest expense	100,000		100,000		100,000		100,000
Number of letters of credit, in letters of credit	4				4
Future minimum lease payments for capital lease obligations
2012	386,000				386,000
2013	1,541,000				1,541,000
2014	1,402,000				1,402,000
2015	1,051,000				1,051,000
2016	194,000				194,000
Thereafter	0				0
Subtotal	4,574,000				4,574,000
Less: Amount representing interest	(304,000)	[1]			(304,000)	[1]
Total	4,270,000				4,270,000
Repayments on long-term and short-term borrowings
2012	46,000				46,000
2013	183,000				183,000
2014	46,000				46,000
2015	0				0
2016	0				0
Thereafter	0				0
Subtotal	275,000				275,000
Less: Amount representing interest	(29,000)	[1]			(29,000)	[1]
Notes payable	246,000				246,000			370,000
Minimum [Member]
Components of short-term borrowings and other debt
Capital leases, term					48 months
Capital leases, interest rate	0.60%				0.60%
Maximum [Member]
Components of short-term borrowings and other debt
Capital leases, term					60 months
Capital leases, interest rate	6.14%				6.14%
Letter of Credit, San Francisco Office, Expires May 2013 [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Components of short-term borrowings and other debt
Letter of credit, borrowing capacity	82,000				82,000
Letter of Credit, Expires September 2013 [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Components of short-term borrowings and other debt
Letter of credit, borrowing capacity	1,200,000				1,200,000
Letter of Credit, Expires December 2012 [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Components of short-term borrowings and other debt
Letter of credit, borrowing capacity	6,700,000				6,700,000
Letter of Credit, Expires February 2013 [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Components of short-term borrowings and other debt
Letter of credit, borrowing capacity	$ 1,000,000				$ 1,000,000

[1] Amount necessary to reduce net minimum lease payments to present value calculated at the Company's implicit rate at lease inception.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 55,776	$ 128,875
Cash collateral pledged	9,269	9,785
Securities owned, at fair value	648,772	744,914
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	0	166,260
Other investments	70,151	59,943
Receivable from brokers	103,825	62,046
Fees receivable	22,113	22,297
Due from related parties	16,366	16,554
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $28,720 and $23,852, respectively	33,722	37,042
Goodwill	26,211	20,028
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $22,116 and $20,220, respectively	11,668	5,760
Other assets	23,192	26,620
Consolidated Funds
Cash and cash equivalents, Consolidated Funds	1,892	297
Securities owned, at fair value, Consolidated Funds	3,095	6,334
Other investments, at fair value, Consolidated Funds	205,095	228,820
Other assets, Consolidated Funds	372	263
Total Assets	1,231,519	1,535,838
Liabilities
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	210,705	334,251
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	123,839	228,783
Payable to brokers	203,250	213,360
Compensation payable	27,313	71,223
Short-term borrowings and other debt	4,516	5,650
Fees payable	4,972	5,503
Due to related parties	646	1,914
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	60,405	61,462
Consolidated Funds
Capital withdrawals payable, Consolidated Funds	2,841	394
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, Consolidated Funds	1,042	246
Total Liabilities	639,529	922,786
Commitments and Contingencies (Note X)
Redeemable non-controlling interests	88,011	104,587
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	709,005	688,427
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(178,516)	(163,980)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	161	(215)
Total Stockholders' Equity	503,979	508,465
Liabilities and Stockholders' equity	1,231,519	1,535,838
Common Stock Class A
Stockholders' equity
Common stock	1,135	1,135
Less: Class A common stock held in treasury, at cost, 9,620,151 and 5,346,003 shares as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(27,806)	(16,902)
Common Stock Class B
Stockholders' equity
Common stock	$ 0	$ 0

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Acquisitions - Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 28, 2011 LaBranche and Co Inc. [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 LaBranche and Co Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents					$ 117,496
Cash collateral pledged					1,127
Securities owned, at fair value					221,855
Other investments					2,569
Receivable from brokers					93,754
Fixed assets, net					8,804
Intangibles					2,770
Other assets					5,137
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value					(175,391)
Payable to brokers					(81,536)
Compensation payable					(3,521)
Fees payable					(969)
Unfavorable lease					(3,388)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities					(12,725)
Total net assets acquired					175,982
Non compete agreements and covenants with limiting conditions acquired					2,310
Goodwill/(Bargain purchase gain) on transaction	0	0	0	(22,244)	(22,244)	(22,244)
Total purchase price					$ 156,048

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings/(Accumulated Deficit)	Redeemable Non-controlling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 508,465	$ 1,135	$ (16,902)	$ 688,427	$ (215)	$ (163,980)	$ 104,587
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		114,047,637
Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	(14,536)					(14,536)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	(1,225)						(1,225)
Defined benefit plans	250				250
Foreign currency translation	126				126
Deconsolidation of funds							(17,104)
Consolidation of funds							18,521
Capital withdrawals to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds							(17,268)
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Equity Issuance or Sale of Parent Equity Interest							500
Restricted stock awards issued, shares		4,189,400
Amortization of share based compensation	20,578			20,578
Purchase of treasury stock, at cost	(10,904)		(10,904)
Purchase of treasury stock, at cost, Shares		(4,274,148)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 503,979	$ 1,135	$ (27,806)	$ 709,005	$ 161	$ (178,516)	$ 88,011
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2012		113,962,889

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Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Unobservable Input Roll Forward (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Warrants and Rights [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Warrants and Rights [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Warrants and Rights [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Warrants and Rights [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Warrants and Rights [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Warrants and Rights [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Warrants and Rights [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Warrants and Rights [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Portfolio Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Portfolio Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Portfolio Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Portfolio Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Real Estate Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Real Estate Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Real Estate Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Real Estate Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Lehman Claim [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Lehman Claim [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Lehman Claim [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Operating Companies [Member] Lehman Claim [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Consolidated Funds [Member] Portfolio Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Consolidated Funds [Member] Portfolio Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Consolidated Funds [Member] Portfolio Funds [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Consolidated Funds [Member] Portfolio Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Consolidated Funds [Member] Lehman Claim [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Consolidated Funds [Member] Lehman Claim [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Consolidated Funds [Member] Lehman Claim [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Level 3 [Member] Consolidated Funds [Member] Lehman Claim [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Investments at fair value, beginning of period			$ 8,058										$ 959	$ 953	$ 1,069	$ 334	$ 0	$ 5,000	$ 0	$ 5,000	$ 2,844	$ 3,534	$ 1,534		$ 1,977	$ 19,876	$ 17,744	$ 16,919	$ 17,081	$ 2,079	$ 2,289	$ 2,353	$ 1,882	$ 731	$ 501	$ 553	$ 313	$ 209,507	$ 239,588	$ 213,402		$ 311,242	$ 6,538	$ 7,320	$ 7,340	$ 6,243
Transfers in													0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	16,227	[1]	0	0	0	0	0
Transfers out													0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(88)	[2]	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	(17,151)	[1]	0	0	0	0	0
Purchases/(covers)													2,000	19	2,000	678	0	0	0	0	341	40	623		105	320	7,356	3,171	43,929	0	17	152	254	0	0	0	0	0	1	434		2	0	0	0	0
(Sales)/short buys													0	(135)	(6)	(544)	0	(4,857)	0	(4,857)	0	(36)	(65)		(84)	(361)	(11,648)	(1,175)	(48,377)	0	(1)	(501)	(6)	0	0	0	0	(19,233)	(16,320)	(24,259)		(97,244)	0	0	(2,291)	0
Realized gains (losses)													0	135	6	135	0	(143)	0	(143)	0	0	56		48	(48)	1	(41)	108	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	182	68	(1,510)		2,444	0	0	1,914	0
Unrealized gains (losses)													1	(160)	(109)	209	0	0	0	0	877	(2,184)	2,002		(692)	706	456	1,619	1,168	23	2	98	177	30	0	208	188	(2,659)	(4,181)	654		2,712	322	(125)	(103)	952
Investments at fair value, end of period			8,058										2,960	812	2,960	812	0	0	0	0	4,062	1,354	4,062		1,354	20,493	13,909	20,493	13,909	2,102	2,307	2,102	2,307	761	501	761	501	187,797	219,156	187,797		219,156	6,860	7,195	6,860	7,195
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value, beginning of period	210,705	334,251		0	0	0	0	3	0	0		0
Transfers in				0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0
Transfers out				0	0	0	0	0	0	(1,004)	[3]	0
Purchases/(covers)				0	0	0	(978)	0	0	(306)		0
(Sales)/short buys				0	0	0	833	0	0	982		0
Realized gains (losses)				0	0	0	145		0	(38)		0
Unrealized gains (losses)				0	0	0	0	0	0	366		0
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value, end of period	$ 210,705	$ 334,251		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0

[1] Change in consolidated funds (see Note 3b).

[2] The security was listed on an exchange subsequent to a private funding.

[3] The security began trading on an exchange due to a business combination.

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Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries and the related net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries are comprised as follows:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
Operating companies	$	5,148	$	6,472
Consolidated funds	82,863		98,115
	$	88,011	$	104,587

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(dollars in thousands)						(dollars in thousands)
Income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
Operating companies	$	298		$	1,147		$	893		$	3,087
Consolidated funds	(1,331		)	(1,930		)	(2,118		)	(614		)
	$	(1,033	)	$	(783	)	$	(1,225	)	$	2,473

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Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans - Deferred Compensation (Details) (Cowen Group, Inc. 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan [Member], Deferred Cash Award [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Cowen Group, Inc. 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan [Member] | Deferred Cash Award [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Deferred cash awards granted	$ 16.5
Deferred cash awards, vesting period		5 years
Deferred cash award, interest rate		0.75%
Deferred cash awards, unrecognized compensation expense		$ 13.2

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Short-Term Borrowings and Other Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Short-Term Borrowings and Other Debt

Short-Term Borrowings and Other Debt

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, short term borrowings and other debt of the Company were as follows:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Notes payable	$	246	$	370
Capital lease obligations	4,270		5,280
	$	4,516	$	5,650

The Company entered into several capital leases for computer equipment during the fourth quarter of 2010. These leases amount to$6.3 millionand are recorded in fixed assets and as capital lease obligations, which are included in short-term borrowings and other debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, and have lease terms that range from48 to 60months and interest rates that range from 0.60% to 6.14%. As ofSeptember 30, 2012, the remaining balance on these capital leases was$4.3 million. Interest expense for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and was$0.1 million and $0.1 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company hasfourirrevocable letters of credit, for which there is cash collateral pledged, including (i)$82,000, which expires on May 12, 2013, supporting the Company's San Francisco office, (ii) $1.2 millionwhich expires on September 3, 2013, supporting the Company's lease of additional office space in New York, (iii)$6.7 million, which expires December 12, 2012, supporting the lease of office space in New York which the Company pays a fee on the stated amount of the letter of credit and (iv)$1.0 millionwhich expires February 22, 2013, supporting the lease of additional office space in New York.

To the extent any letter of credit is drawn upon, interest will be assessed at the prime commercial lending rate. As ofSeptember 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no amounts due related to these letters of credit.

Annual scheduled maturities of debt and minimum lease payments for capital lease obligation and short term borrowings and other debt outstanding as of September 30, 2012, are as follows:

	Capital Lease Obligation			Short Term Borrowings
	(dollars in thousands)
2012	$	386		$	46
2013	1,541			183
2014	1,402			46
2015	1,051			—
2016	194			—
Thereafter	—			—
Subtotal	4,574			275
Less: Amount representing interest (a)	(304		)	(29		)
Total	$	4,270		$	246

(a) Amount necessary to reduce net minimum lease payments to present value calculated at the Company's implicit rate at lease inception.

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Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity

The following table summarizes the Company's stock option activity for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Shares Subject to Option		Weighted Average Exercise Price/Share		Weighted Average Remaining Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value(1)
					(in years)	(dollars in thousands)
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	866,428		$	12.95	2.53	$	—
Options granted	—		—		—	—
Options acquired	—		—		—	—
Options expired	(92,665	)	16.00		—	—
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	773,763		$	12.58	1.90	—
Options exercisable at September 30, 2012	623,760		$	14.66	1.19	$	—

(1) Based on the Company's closing stock price of $2.71 on September 30, 2012 and $2.59 on December 31, 2011.

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity

Restricted shares and restricted stock units are referred to collectively as restricted stock. The following table summarizes the Company's restricted share and restricted stock unit activity for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Nonvested Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	7,517,682		$	5.57
Granted	8,381,939		2.82
Vested	(4,337,252	)	3.95
Cancelled	—		—
Forfeited	(778,541	)	3.52
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	10,783,828		$	4.23

Schedule of Other Share-based Compensation, Activity

The following table summarizes the Company's RCG Grants activity for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Nonvested RCG Grants			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	1,298,213			$	7.30
Granted	—			—
Vested	—			—
Forfeited	(13,613	)	*	7.30
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	1,284,600			$	7.30

* Forfeitures of non vested RCG Grants are reallocated to other members within RCG Holdings, LLC.

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Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

7. Earnings Per Share

The Company calculates its basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with US GAAP. Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to the Company's stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. As of September 30, 2012, there were 113,962,889 shares outstanding, of which 420,276 are restricted. To the extent that outstanding restricted shares are unvested, they are excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share. The Company has included 336,895 fully vested, unissued restricted stock units in its calculation of basic earnings per share.

Diluted earnings per common share are calculated by adjusting the weighted average outstanding shares to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive nonvested restricted stock and stock options. The Company uses the treasury stock method to reflect the potential dilutive effect of the unvested restricted shares, restricted stock units and unexercised stock options. In calculating the number of dilutive shares outstanding, the shares of common stock underlying unvested restricted shares and restricted stock units are assumed to have been delivered, and options are assumed to have been exercised, on the grant date. The assumed proceeds from the assumed vesting, delivery and exercising were calculated as the sum of (a) the amount of compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized and (b) the amount of tax benefit that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming vesting and delivery of the restricted stock. The tax benefit is the amount resulting from a tax deduction for compensation in excess of compensation expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes. All outstanding stock options and unvested restricted shares were not included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per common share for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

The computation of earnings per share is as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(11,618		)	(43,930		)	(15,761		)	(20,553		)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(1,033		)	(783		)	(1,225		)	2,473
Net income (loss) from continuing operations less Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(10,585		)	(43,147		)	(14,536		)	(23,026		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(5,087		)	—			(5,087		)
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Weighted average shares used in basic computation	114,989			115,664			114,587			89,118
Stock options	—			—			—			—
Restricted stock	—			—			—			—
Weighted average shares used in diluted computation	114,989			115,664			114,587			89,118
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.26	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—			(0.04		)	—			(0.06		)
Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.26	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—			(0.04		)	—			(0.06		)

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Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans - RCG Grants (Details) (RCG Grants [Member], Restricted Shares [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
RCG Grants [Member] | Restricted Shares [Member]
Nonvested RCG Grants
Balance outstanding, beginning of period, shares	1,298,213
Granted, shares	0
Vested, shares	0
Forfeited, shares	(13,613)	[1]
Balance outstanding, end of period, shares	1,284,600
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance outstanding, beginning of period, in dollars per share	$ 7.30
Granted, in dollars per share	$ 0.00
Vested, in dollars per share	$ 0.00
Forfeited, in dollars per share	$ 7.30
Balance outstanding, end of period, in dollars per share	$ 7.30
Unrecognized compensation expense	$ 0.5
Weighted-average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense	0 months 29 days

[1] Forfeitures of non vested RCG Grants are reallocated to other members within RCG Holdings, LLC.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (15,761)	$ (20,553)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(5,087)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities:
Bargain purchase gain	0	(22,244)
Depreciation and amortization	6,945	7,397
Share-based compensation	20,578	20,236
Deferred rent obligations	(1,316)	(718)
Purchases of securities owned, at fair value	(4,776,378)	(6,750,192)
Proceeds from sales of securities owned, at fair value	4,818,865	6,524,723
Proceeds from sales of securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	3,487,601	3,464,059
Payments to cover securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	(3,582,578)	(3,246,988)
Net (gains) losses on securities, derivatives and other investments	(33,576)	11,239
Consolidated Funds
Purchases of securities owned, at fair value, Consolidated Funds	(249,731)	(368,933)
Proceeds from sales of securities owned, at fair value, Consolidated Funds	252,966	373,392
Purchases of other investments, Consolidated Funds	(8,273)	(15,108)
Proceeds from sales of other investments, Consolidated Funds	33,795	106,611
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on investments and other transactions, Consolidated Funds	(2,718)	(1,729)
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Cash acquired upon transaction	0	117,496
Cash collateral pledged	516	(4)
Securities owned, at fair value, held at broker dealer	56,796	95,813
Receivable from brokers	(41,779)	68,075
Fees receivable	934	10,116
Due from related parties	(188)	(2,154)
Other assets	4,158	(16,960)
Consolidated Funds
Cash and cash equivalents, Consolidated Funds	(659)	7,019
Other assets, Consolidated Funds	1,290	475
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value, held at broker dealer	(13,086)	(131,773)
Payable to brokers	(10,110)	169,558
Compensation payable	(46,323)	(46,404)
Fees payable	(587)	(6,564)
Due to related parties	(1,268)	(7,705)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	(4,487)	(611)
Consolidated Funds
Due to related parties, Consolidated Funds	25	0
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, Consolidated Funds	777	(1,611)
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities	(103,196)	335,179
Cash flows from investing activities:
Securities purchased under agreement to resell	166,260	(140,394)
Purchases of other investments	(4,291)	(56,565)
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired (See Note 2)	(10,063)	0
Proceeds from sales of other investments	9,036	52,134
Purchase of fixed assets	(1,695)	(5,786)
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities	159,247	(150,611)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase	(104,944)	(53,328)
Borrowings on short-term borrowings and other debt	0	493
Repayments on short-term borrowings and other debt	(1,134)	(26,204)
Purchase of treasury stock	(8,252)	(8,228)
Capital withdrawals to noncontrolling interests in operating entities	(2,717)	(2,009)
Consolidated Funds
Capital contributions by non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds	0	4,038
Capital withdrawals to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds	(12,103)	(52,164)
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities	(129,150)	(137,402)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(73,099)	47,166
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	128,875	36,354
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	55,776	83,520
Supplemental non-cash information
Purchase of treasury stock, at cost, upon close of acquisition (see Note 2)	0	1,906
Net assets acquired upon acquisition (net of cash) (See Note 2)	0	58,486
Non compete agreements and covenants with limiting conditions acquired (see Note 2)	0	2,310
Common stock issuance upon close of acquisition (see Note 2)	0	156,048
Purchase of treasury stock, at cost, through net settlement (See Note 15)	2,652	1,566
Net assets of consolidated entities	18,521	3,470
Net assets of deconsolidated entities	$ 17,104	$ 0

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Fixed assets, accumulated depreciation and amortization (in dollars)	$ 28,720	$ 23,852
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$ 22,116	$ 20,220
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common Stock Class A
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	123,583,040	119,393,640
Common stock, shares outstanding	113,962,889	114,047,637
Common stock, restricted shares	420,276	576,892
Treasury stock, shares	9,620,151	5,346,003
Common Stock Class B
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, shares outstanding	0	0

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Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries

Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries and the related net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries are comprised as follows:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
Operating companies	$	5,148	$	6,472
Consolidated funds	82,863		98,115
	$	88,011	$	104,587

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(dollars in thousands)						(dollars in thousands)
Income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
Operating companies	$	298		$	1,147		$	893		$	3,087
Consolidated funds	(1,331		)	(1,930		)	(2,118		)	(614		)
	$	(1,033	)	$	(783	)	$	(1,225	)	$	2,473

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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 07, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Cowen Group, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001466538
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		113,508,235

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Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans

Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans

The Company issues share based compensation under the 2006 Equity and Incentive Plan, the 2007 Equity and Incentive Plan (both established prior to the November 2009 transaction between Ramius and Cowen) and the Cowen Group, Inc. 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan (collectively, the “Equity Plans”). The Equity Plans permit the grant of options, restricted shares, restricted stock units and other equity based awards to the Company's employees, consultants and directors for up to 17,725,000 shares of common stock plus any approved additional shares in accordance with the Equity Plans. Stock options granted generally vest over two-to-five-year periods and expire seven years from the date of grant. Restricted shares and restricted share units issued may be immediately vested or may generally vest over a two-to-five-year period. As of September 30, 2012, there were approximately 1.1 million shares available for future issuance under the Equity Plans. On January 1, 2012, 8.2 million shares were added to the shares available under the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan to bring the total equal to 7.5% of the Company's outstanding shares of stock.

Under the 2010 Equity Plan, the Company awarded $16.5 million of deferred cash awards to its employees in February 2012. These awards vest over a period of five years and accrue interest at 0.75% per year. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards of $13.2 million.

In addition to the Equity Plans, certain employees of the Company, in November 2009, were issued membership interests in RCG Holdings LLC (formerly Ramius LLC) ("RCG") by RCG, a related party of the Company (the “RCG Grants”). Substantially all of the assets owned by RCG consist of shares of common stock of the Company. Accordingly, upon withdrawal of capital from RCG, members receive either distributions in kind of shares of common stock of the Company, or the proceeds from the sale of shares of the Company's common stock attributable to their capital accounts. The RCG Grants are subject to a service condition and vest to each employee over a period of approximately three years. Any RCG Grants forfeited are redistributed to the remaining stakeholders in RCG, which includes both employees and non-employees. The RCG Grants represent awards to employees of the Company by a related party, as compensation for services provided to the Company. As such, the expense related to these grants is included in the compensation expense of the Company, with a corresponding credit to stockholders equity.

The Company measures compensation cost for share based awards according to the equity method. In accordance with the expense recognition provisions of those standards, the Company amortizes unearned compensation associated with share based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the option or award. In relation to awards under the Equity Plans, the Company recognized expense of $5.7 million and $5.1 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and $16.2 million and $15.6 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The income tax effect recognized for the Equity Plans was a benefit of $4.4 million and $2.8 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $9.0 million and $7.8 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

In relation to awards under the RCG Grants, the Company recognized expense of $1.3 million and $1.0 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $4.4 million and $3.9 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The income tax effect recognized for the RCG Grants was a benefit of $0.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1.7 million and $1.5 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes the Company's stock option activity for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Shares Subject to Option		Weighted Average Exercise Price/Share		Weighted Average Remaining Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value(1)
					(in years)	(dollars in thousands)
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	866,428		$	12.95	2.53	$	—
Options granted	—		—		—	—
Options acquired	—		—		—	—
Options expired	(92,665	)	16.00		—	—
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	773,763		$	12.58	1.90	—
Options exercisable at September 30, 2012	623,760		$	14.66	1.19	$	—

(1) Based on the Company's closing stock price of $2.71 on September 30, 2012 and $2.59 on December 31, 2011.

As of September 30, 2012, the unrecognized compensation expense related to the Company's grant of stock options was insignificant.

Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units Granted to Employees

Restricted shares and restricted stock units are referred to collectively as restricted stock. The following table summarizes the Company's restricted share and restricted stock unit activity for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Nonvested Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	7,517,682		$	5.57
Granted	8,381,939		2.82
Vested	(4,337,252	)	3.95
Cancelled	—		—
Forfeited	(778,541	)	3.52
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	10,783,828		$	4.23

The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.

As of September 30, 2012, there was $27.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the Company's grant of nonvested restricted shares and restricted stock units to employees. Unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted shares and restricted stock units granted to employees is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.56 years.

RCG Grants

The following table summarizes the Company's RCG Grants activity for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Nonvested RCG Grants			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	1,298,213			$	7.30
Granted	—			—
Vested	—			—
Forfeited	(13,613	)	*	7.30
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	1,284,600			$	7.30

* Forfeitures of non vested RCG Grants are reallocated to other members within RCG Holdings, LLC.

The fair value of the RCG Grants was determined based on the number of the Company's shares underlying the RCG membership interest and the quoted price of the Company's common stock on the date of the 2009 transactions between Ramius and Cowen.

As of September 30, 2012, there was $0.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the Company's RCG Grants. Unrecognized compensation expense related to RCG Grants is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.08 years.

Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units Granted to Non-employee Board Members

There were 257,004 restricted stock units awarded, which were immediately vested and expensed upon grant, during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012. Vested awards of 108,237 were delivered during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012. No awards were awarded or vested during the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012. As of September 30, 2012 there were 336,895 restricted stock units outstanding.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues
Investment banking	$ 18,666	$ 10,816	$ 50,550	$ 39,841
Brokerage	22,701	25,670	71,282	77,868
Management fees	8,866	14,778	28,515	37,799
Incentive income	1,416	(1,823)	2,687	3,233
Interest and dividends	3,605	10,930	14,845	21,330
Reimbursement from affiliates	1,370	978	3,796	2,968
Other revenues	701	309	2,398	1,230
Consolidated Funds
Interest and dividends, Consolidated Funds	24	138	115	443
Other revenues, Consolidated Funds	249	163	359	171
Total revenues	57,598	61,959	174,547	184,883
Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits	47,322	43,651	137,102	132,313
Floor brokerage and trade execution	3,058	4,488	10,992	12,283
Interest and dividends	1,957	1,904	6,888	7,627
Professional, advisory and other fees	3,534	8,063	11,158	25,601
Service fees	2,807	3,815	8,198	11,792
Communications	4,522	3,636	11,775	10,872
Occupancy and equipment	5,808	6,225	16,594	17,523
Depreciation and amortization	2,427	2,421	6,945	6,490
Client services and business development	3,510	3,534	11,089	12,343
Other expenses	3,779	2,158	11,138	5,007
Consolidated Funds
Interest and dividends, Consolidated Funds	2	51	22	137
Professional, advisory and other fees, Consolidated Funds	263	1,002	1,112	2,075
Other expenses, Consolidated Funds	65	82	205	423
Total expenses	79,054	81,030	233,218	244,486
Other income (loss)
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments	12,510	(21,989)	41,969	(4,631)
Bargain purchase gain	0	0	0	22,244
Consolidated Funds
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and other transactions, Consolidated Funds	(2,730)	(3,181)	817	4,133
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, Consolidated Funds	212	70	626	(456)
Net gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions, Consolidated Funds	9	313	(6)	40
Total other income (loss)	10,001	(24,787)	43,406	21,330
Income (loss) before income taxes	(11,455)	(43,858)	(15,265)	(38,273)
Income tax expense (benefit)	163	72	496	(17,720)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(11,618)	(43,930)	(15,761)	(20,553)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(5,087)	0	(5,087)
Net income (loss)	(11,618)	(49,017)	(15,761)	(25,640)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(1,033)	(783)	(1,225)	2,473
Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$ (10,585)	$ (48,234)	$ (14,536)	$ (28,113)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	114,989	115,664	114,587	89,118
Diluted (in shares)	114,989	115,664	114,587	89,118
Earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.26)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.26)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)

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Cash collateral pledged

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Cash collateral pledged

Cash collateral pledged

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, cash collateral pledged in the amount of $9.3 million and$9.8 million, respectively, primarily relates to (a) a bond held as collateral on a letter of credit and (b) letters of credit issued to the landlord of the Company's premises in New York City (see Note 14).

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Discontinued Operations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations

The subsidiaries acquired through the LaBranche acquisition (see Note 2) met the criteria of discontinued operations under US GAAP because the operations and cash flows of these subsidiaries can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the Company. As a result of these subsidiaries not meeting the Company's expectations as to their results of operations and not generating positive cash flows, the Company decided, during the fourth quarter of 2011, to exit the business operated by these subsidiaries. The subsidiaries comprised of market making operations for exchange traded funds in the US, Europe and Asia which were included in the broker-dealer segment. The results of operations and cash flows for these subsidiaries were eliminated from the Company's ongoing operations and the Company has no continuing involvement in these operations. In accordance with US GAAP the Company reclassified and reported the results of operations related to these subsidiaries in discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

The results of operations related to the Company's discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are summarized below:

	Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Total revenues, net of interest expense	$	869
Loss from discontinued operations	(5,087		)
Income tax expense/(benefit)	—
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(5,087		)

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Treasury Stock

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Equity [Abstract]

Treasury stock

Treasury stock

Treasury stock of $27.8 million as of September 30, 2012, compared to $16.9 million as of December 31, 2011, resulted from $2.7 million acquired through repurchases of shares to cover employee minimum tax withholding obligations related to stock compensation vesting events under the Company's Equity Plan and $8.2 million purchased in connection with a share repurchase program. In August 2012, the Company's Board of Directors approved a $15.0 million increase in the Company's share repurchase program that authorizes the Company to purchase the Company's Class A common shares. The total amount authorized as of September 30, 2012 is $35.0 million.

The following represents the activity relating to the treasury stock held by the Company during the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012:

	Treasury stock shares	Cost (dollars in thousands)		Average cost per share
Balance outstanding at December 31, 2011	5,346,003	$	16,902	$	3.16
Shares purchased for minimum tax withholding under the Equity Plan	1,062,296	2,652		2.50
Purchase of treasury stock	3,211,852	8,252		2.57
Balance outstanding at September 30, 2012	9,620,151	$	27,806	$	2.89

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Defined Benefit Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Defined Benefit Plans

Defined Benefit Plans

The following amounts relate to the above plans in aggregate for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, and 2011:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost included in employee compensation and benefits
Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Interest cost	53			60			159			198
Expected return on plan assets	(60		)	(71		)	(176		)	(207		)
Amortization of (loss) / gain	—			—			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost	5			5			15			15
Effect of settlement	(17		)	1			(20		)	(30		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(19	)	$	(5	)	$	(22	)	$	(24	)

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Receivables from and Payable to Brokers

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Brokers and Dealers [Abstract]

Receivables from and Payable to Brokers

Receivables from and Payable to Brokers

Receivables from and payable to brokers includes cash held at the clearing brokers, amounts receivable or payable for unsettled transactions, monies borrowed and proceeds from short sales (including commissions and fees related to securities transactions) equal to the fair value of securities sold, not yet purchased, which are restricted until the Company purchases the securities sold short. Pursuant to the master netting agreements the Company entered into with its brokers, these balances are presented net (assets less liabilities) across balances with the same broker. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, receivable from brokers was $103.8 million and $62.0 million, respectively. Payable to brokers was $203.3 million and $213.4 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company's receivables from and payable to brokers balances are concentrated with eight reputable financial institutions.

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Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Fair Value Inputs, Unobservable Inputs, Quantitative Information (Details) (Operating Companies [Member], Level 3 [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	8,058
Assets and liabilities at fair value	225,035
Other Assets and Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Assets and liabilities at fair value	216,977	[1]
Income Approach and Market Approach Valuation Techniques [Member] | Common Stocks [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	2,960
Income Approach and Market Approach Valuation Techniques [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Valuation Metric	25.00%
DCF Discount Rate	15.00%
Market Multiple	9
Income Approach and Market Approach Valuation Techniques [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Valuation Metric	100.00%
DCF Discount Rate	25.00%
Market Multiple	10
Income Approach and Market Approach Valuation Techniques [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	761
DCF Discount Rate	15.00%
Projected Cash Flow Timing	9 months
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Warrants and Rights [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	4,062
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Warrants and Rights [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Volatility	20.00%
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Warrants and Rights [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Volatility	40.00%
Market Approach, Income Approach and Replacement Cost Valuation Techniques [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	275
Market Approach, Income Approach and Replacement Cost Valuation Techniques [Member] | Real Estate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Capital Rate	4.99%
Market Approach, Income Approach and Replacement Cost Valuation Techniques [Member] | Real Estate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Capital Rate	8.75%

[1] Quantitative disclosures of unobservable inputs and assumptions are not required for investments for which NAV per share is used as a practical expedient to determine fair value, as their redemption features rather than observability of inputs cause them to be classified as a level 3 type asset within the fair value hierarchy. In addition, the fair value of the Consolidated Funds' investments are determined based on net asset value and therefore quantitative disclosures are not included in the table above.

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Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

a. Operating Entities

Securities owned, at fair value

Securities owned are held by the Company and considered held for trading and carried at fair value. Substantially all equity securities and options are pledged to the clearing broker under terms which permit the clearing broker to sell or re-pledge the securities to others subject to certain limitations.

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, securities owned, at fair value consisted of the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government securities (a)	$	95,038	$	182,868
Common stocks	300,990		250,380
Convertible bonds (b)	50,854		18,130
Corporate bonds (c)	168,021		231,864
Options	26,543		55,699
Warrants and rights	4,436		2,759
Mutual funds	2,890		3,214
	$	648,772	$	744,914

(a) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from November 2013 to August 2014 with interest rate of 0.25%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from November 2013 to November 2021 and interest rates ranged between 0.25% and 8%.

(b) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from October 2014 to June 2017 and interest rates ranged between 1.38% and 5.75%. As of December 31, 2011, the maturity was August 2027 with an interest rate of 2.75%.

(c) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from January 2013 to February 2041 and interest rates ranged between 4.52% and 13.50%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from January 2012 to February 2041 and interest rates ranged between 3.13% and 13.50%.

The Company's direct involvement with derivative financial instruments includes credit default swaps, futures, equity swaps, options and warrants and rights. Open equity positions in futures transactions are recorded as receivables from and payables to broker‑dealers or clearing brokers, as applicable. The Company's derivatives trading activities exposes the Company to certain risks, such as price and interest rate fluctuations, volatility risk, credit risk, counterparty risk, foreign currency movements and changes in the liquidity of markets. The Company's overall exposure to financial derivatives is limited. The Company's long exposure to futures, equity swaps and currency forward derivative contracts, at fair value, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 of $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, is included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company's short exposure to futures, equity swap and currency forward derivative contracts, at fair value, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 of $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to derivatives trading activities for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, and 2011 were $1.3 million and $0.8 million and for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 were $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and are included in other income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Pursuant to the various derivatives transactions discussed above, the Company is required to post collateral for its obligations or potential obligations. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, collateral consisting of $11.0 million and $8.1 million of cash, respectively, is included in receivable from brokers on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 all derivative contracts were with multiple major financial institutions.

Other investments

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, other investments consisted of the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
(1) Portfolio Funds, at fair value	$	47,287	$	40,350
(2) Real estate investments, at fair value	2,102		2,353
(3) Equity method investments	20,001		16,687
(4) Lehman claims, at fair value	761		553
	$	70,151	$	59,943

(1) Portfolio Funds, at fair value

The Portfolio Funds, at fair value as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, included the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Healthcare Royalty Partners (a)(*)	$	8,119	$	6,297
Healthcare Royalty Partners II (a)(*)	2,617		1,521
Ramius Global Credit Fund LP (b)(*)	13,600		11,790
Ramius Alternative Replication Ltd (c)(*)	831		837
Tapestry Investment Co PCC Ltd (d)	193		185
Ramius Enhanced Replication Fund LLC (e)(*)	708		337
Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP (f)(*)	12,246		11,123
RCG LV Park Lane LLC (g)	700		—
Other private investment (h)	7,413		7,415
Other affiliated funds (i)(*)	860		845
	$	47,287	$	40,350

* These portfolio funds are affiliates of the Company

The Company has no unfunded commitments regarding the portfolio funds held by the Company except as noted for Healthcare Royalty Partners (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners), Healthcare Royalty Partners II (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners II) and Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP in Note 14.

(a) Healthcare Royalty Partners and Healthcare Royalty Partners II are private equity funds and therefore redemptions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.

(b) Ramius Global Credit Fund LP has a quarterly redemption policy with a 60 day notice period and a 4% penalty on redemptions of investments of less than a year in duration.

(c) Ramius Alternative Replication Ltd has monthly redemption policy with a seven day notice period.

(d) Tapestry Investment Company PCC Ltd is in the process of liquidation and redemptions will be made periodically at the investment managers' decision as the underlying investments are liquidated.

(e) Ramius Enhanced Replication Fund LLC has monthly redemption policy with a seven day notice period.

(f) Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP permits quarterly withdrawals upon ninety days notice.

(g) RCG LV Park Lane LLC  is single purpose entity formed to participate in a joint venture which acquired, at a discount, the mortgage notes on a portfolio of multifamily real estate properties located in Birmingham, Alabama.  RCG LV Park Lane is a private equity structure and therefore distributions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.

(h) Other private investment represents the Company's closed end investment in an investment company, which was formed to make an investment in a wireless broadband communication provider in Italy.

(i) The majority of these funds are real estate fund affiliates of the Company or are managed by the Company and the investors can redeem from these funds as investments are liquidated.

(2) Real estate investments, at fair value

Real estate investments as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are carried at fair value and include real estate equity investments held by RCG RE Manager, LLC (“RE Manager”), a real estate operating subsidiary of the Company, of $1.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and real estate debt investments held by the Company of $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

(3) Equity method investments

Equity method investments include investments held by the Company in several operating companies whose operations primarily include the day to day management of a number of real estate funds, including the portfolio management and administrative services related to the acquisition, disposition, and active monitoring of the real estate funds' underlying debt and equity investments. The Company's ownership interests in these equity method investments range from 30% to 55%. The Company holds a majority of the outstanding ownership interest (i.e., more than 50%) in three of these entities: RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Management, LLC, RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Partners, LLC and RCG Longview Partners II, LLC. The operating agreements that govern the management of day-to-day operations and affairs of each of these three entities stipulate that certain decisions require support and approval from other members in addition to the support and approval of the Company. As a result, all operating decisions made in these three entities require the support of both the Company and an affirmative vote of a majority of the other managing members who are not affiliates of the Company. As the Company does not possess control over any of these entities, the presumption of consolidation has been overcome pursuant to current accounting standards and the Company accounts for these investments under the equity method of accounting. Also included in equity method investments is the investment in (a) Healthcare Royalty Partners General Partners, (b) an investment in the CBOE (Chicago Board Options Exchange) Stock Exchange LLC representing a 9.7% stake in the exchange service provider for which the Company exercises significant influence over through representation on the CBOE Board of Directors, and (c) Starboard Value LP (and certain related parties) which serves as an operating company whose operations primarily include the day to day management (including portfolio management) of a deep value small cap hedge fund and related managed accounts. The following table summarizes equity method investments held by the Company:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Management, LLC	$	1,490	$	1,980
Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC)	662		513
Healthcare Royalty GP II, LLC (formerly Cowen Healthcare Royalty GP II, LLC)	443		258
CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC	2,165		2,423
Starboard Value LP	7,651		3,693
RCG Longview Partners, LLC	1,698		1,569
RCG Longview Louisiana Manager, LLC	1,490		1,140
RCG Urban American, LLC	1,347		1,258
RCG Urban American Management, LLC	538		1,096
RCG Longview Equity Management, LLC	226		557
Urban American Real Estate Fund II, L.P.	1,564		1,541
RCG Kennedy House, LLC	396		323
Other	331		336
	$	20,001	$	16,687

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company's share of losses in its equity method investment in RCG Longview Partners II, LLC has exceeded the carrying amount recorded in this investee. RCG Longview Partners II, LLC, as general partner to a real estate fund, has reversed previously recorded incentive income allocations and has recorded a current clawback obligation to the limited partners in the fund. This obligation is due to a change in unrealized value of the fund on which there have previously been distributed carried interest realizations; however, the settlement of a potential obligation is not due until the end of the life of the respective fund. As the Company is obligated to return previous distributions it received from RCG Longview Partners II, LLC, it has continued to record its share of gains/losses in the investee including reflecting its share of the clawback obligation in the amount of $6.2 million. All such amounts are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

The Company's income (loss) from equity method investments was $1.5 million and $0.5 million, for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and was $9.4 million and $2.9 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and is included in net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company recorded no impairment charges in relation to its equity method investments for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

For the period ended September 30, 2012 an equity method investment held by the Company has exceeded the 20% threshold for the income test required under SEC guidance. As such, the Company is required to present summarized income statement information for this significant investee for the current period. The summarized income statement information for the Company's investment in the individually significant investee is as follows:

		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	(dollars in thousands)
Revenues		$	5,877		$	232
Expenses		(588		)	105
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)		73			(21		)
Net Income		$	5,362		$	316

(4) Lehman Claims, at fair value

Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (“LBIE”), through certain affiliates, was a prime broker to the Company, and the Company held cash and cash equivalent balances with LBIE. On September 15, 2008, LBIE was placed into administration (the “Administration”) in the United Kingdom and, as a result, the assets held by the Company in its LBIE accounts were frozen at LBIE. The status and ultimate resolution of the assets under LBIE's Administration proceedings is uncertain. The assets of the Company at LBIE at the time of Administration (the “Total Net Equity Claim”) consist of $1.0 million, which the Company believes will represent an unsecured claim against LBIE. On November 2, 2012, the Company executed a Claims Determination Deed with respect to this claim.  By entering into this deed, the Company and LBIE reached agreement on the amount of the Company's unsecured claim, which was agreed to be approximately $0.9 million.  As a result of entering into this deed, the Company will be entitled to participate in the first dividend to unsecured creditors of LBIE, which is expected to be paid before the end of the year, though the amount of that dividend has not yet been determined. This does not include claims held by the Company against LBIE through its investment in Enterprise Master discussed in Note 6b(2). There can be no assurance that the Total Net Equity Claim value, as determined by the Company, will be accepted by the Administrators, nor does the Company know the manner and timing in which such claim will be satisfied and the ultimate value that will be received.

Given the degree of uncertainty as to the status of the assets held at LBIE and the process and prospects of the return of those assets, the Company has decided to record the estimated fair value of the Total Net Equity Claim at an approximately 27% discount as of September 30, 2012 and a 47% discount as of December 31, 2011, which represents management's best estimate at the respective dates of the value that ultimately may be recovered with respect to the Total Net Equity Claim (the “Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim”). The Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim was recorded at estimated fair value considering a number of factors including the status of the assets under U.K. insolvency laws and the trading levels of LBIE unsecured debt. In determining the estimated value of the Total Net Equity Claim, the Company was required to use considerable judgment and is based on the facts currently available. As additional information on the LBIE proceeding becomes available, the Company may need to adjust the valuation of the Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim. The actual loss that may ultimately be incurred by the Company with respect to the pending LBIE claim is not known and could be materially different from the estimated value assigned by the Company. (See Note 6b(2)).

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value represent obligations of the Company to deliver a specified security at a contracted price and, thereby, create a liability to purchase that security at prevailing prices. The Company's liability for securities to be delivered is measured at their fair value as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements. However, these transactions result in off-balance sheet risk, as the Company's ultimate cost to satisfy the delivery of securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value may exceed the amount reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Substantially all equity securities and options are pledged to the clearing broker under terms which permit the clearing broker to sell or re-pledge the securities to others subject to certain limitations. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value consisted of the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government securities (a)	$	8	$	165,197
Common stocks	195,911		123,877
Corporate bonds (b)	61		1,529
Options	14,725		43,648
	$	210,705	$	334,251

(a) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from April 2016 to January 2040 and interest rates ranged between 5.95% and 7.41%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from September 2013 to January 2040 and interest rates ranged between 0.13% and 7.41%.

(b) As of September 30, 2012, the maturity was January 2026 with an interest rate of 5.55%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from December 2016 to January 2026 and interest rates ranged between 5.55% and 9.50%.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

The following table represents the Company's securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

	As of September 30, 2012
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Agreements with Royal Bank of Canada bearing interest of 2.12% - 2.2% due on October 2, 2012 to June 25, 2013	29,039
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of 0.25% - 0.27% due on October 1, 2012	94,800
	$	123,839

	As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of (0.38%) - 0.25% due on January 3, 2012	$	166,260
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
Agreements with Royal Bank of Canada bearing interest of 1.53% - 1.58% due on January 3, 2012 to June 25, 2012	49,450
Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of 0.03% - 0.08% due on January 3, 2012	179,333
	$	228,783

For all of the Company's holdings of Repurchase Agreements as of September 30, 2012, the repurchase dates are open and the agreement can be terminated by either party at any time. The agreements rolls over on a day-to-day basis.

Transactions involving purchases of securities under agreements to resell are carried at their contract value which approximates fair value. These fair value measurement would be categorized as level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. As of September 30, 2012 the Company held no collateral. As of December 31, 2011, the fair value of the collateral received by the Company, consisting of government and corporate bonds, was $166.7 million.

Transactions involving the sale of securities under Repurchase Agreements are carried at their contract value, which approximates fair value, and are accounted for as collateralized financings. In connection with these financings, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had pledged collateral, consisting of government and corporate bonds, in the amount of $130.3 million and $243.1 million, respectively, which is included in securities owned, at fair value in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Other

During the second and fourth quarters of 2011, the Company acquired two Luxembourg reinsurance companies from third parties through a wholly-owned local subsidiary, which, upon acquisition, recorded deferred assets and subsequently deferred tax benefits. The purchase price of the reinsurance companies totaled EUR 234.8 million (USD $331.8 million). The acquisitions were not accounted for as business combinations as after separation from the transferor, the reinsurance companies do not meet the definition of a business and did not continue any normal revenue producing or cost generating activities.

b. Consolidated Funds

Securities owned, at fair value

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 securities owned, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds are comprised of:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Government sponsored securities (a)	$	1,501	$	2,006
Commercial paper (b)	1,594		3,927
Corporate bond (c)	—		401
	$	3,095	$	6,334

(a) As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from October 2012 to February 2014 and interest rates ranged between 0.32% and 1.74%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from October 2012 to October 2013 and interest rates ranged between 0.32% and 1.74%.

(b) As of September 30, 2012, commercial paper was purchased at a discount and matures on October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, commercial paper was purchased at a discount and matured on January 3, 2012.

(c) As of December 31, 2011, the maturity was April 2012 with an interest rate of 0.58%.

Other investments, at fair value

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 other investments, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds are comprised of:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
(1) Portfolio Funds	$	198,235	$	221,480
(2) Lehman claims	6,860		7,340
	$	205,095	$	228,820

(1) Investments in Portfolio Funds, at fair value

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, investments in Portfolio Funds, at fair value, included the following:

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Investments of Enterprise LP	$	174,314	$	193,012
Investments of consolidated fund of funds	23,921		28,468
	$	198,235	$	221,480

Consolidated investments of Enterprise LP    

Enterprise LP operates under a “master‑feeder” structure with Enterprise Master, whereby Enterprise Master's shareholders are Enterprise LP and RCG II Intermediate Fund, L.P. The consolidated investments in Portfolio Funds are recorded in other investments on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition include Enterprise LP's investment of $174.3 million and $193.0 million in Enterprise Master as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. On May 12, 2010, the Company announced its intention to close Enterprise Master. Prior to this announcement, strategies utilized by Enterprise Master included merger arbitrage and activist investing, investments in distressed securities, convertible hedging, capital structure arbitrage, equity market neutral, investments in private placements of convertible securities, proprietary mortgages, structured credit investments, investments in mortgage backed securities and other structured finance products, investments in real estate and real property interests, structured private placements and other relative value strategies. Enterprise Master had broad investment powers and maximum flexibility in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Enterprise Master was permitted to invest in equity securities, debt instruments, options, futures, swaps, credit default swaps and other derivatives. Enterprise Master has been selling, and will continue to sell, its positions and return capital to its investors. There are no unfunded commitments at Enterprise LP.

Investments of consolidated fund of funds investment companies

The investments of consolidated fund of funds investment companies are $23.9 million and $28.5 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. These investments include the investments of Levered FOF, Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF as of September 30, 2012 and Levered FOF, Multi‑Strat FOF and Vintage FOF as of December 31, 2011 (see Note 3b), all of which are investment companies managed by Ramius Alternative Solutions LLC. RTS Global 3X is consolidated as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, which is managed by Ramius Trading Strategies LLC. Multi‑Strat Master FOF's investment objectives (as was Multi-Strat FOF's objective) is to invest discrete pools of their capital among portfolio managers that invest through Portfolio Funds, forming a multi‑strategy, diversified investment portfolio designed to achieve returns with low to moderate volatility. Levered FOF had a similar strategy, but on a levered basis, prior to the fund winding down. Levered FOF is no longer levered. Vintage Master FOF's investment objective (as was Vintage FOF's objective) is to allocate its capital among portfolio managers that invest through investment pools or managed accounts thereby forming concentrated investments in high conviction managers designed to achieve attractive risk adjusted returns with moderate relative volatility. Levered FOF, Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF are all in liquidation. RTS Global 3X's investment objective is to achieve attractive investment returns on a risk-adjusted basis that are non-correlated with the traditional equity and bond markets by investing substantially all of its capital in managed futures and global macro‑based investment strategies. RTS Global 3X seeks to achieve its objective through a multi‑advisor investment approach by allocating its capital among third‑party trading advisors that are unaffiliated with RTS Global 3X. However, unlike a traditional “fund of funds” that invests with advisors through entities controlled by third‑parties, RTS Global 3X will allocate its capital among a number of different trading accounts organized and managed by the general partner.

The following is a summary of the investments held by the four consolidated fund of funds, at fair value, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

		Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Strategy	Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP		Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP		Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP		RTS Global 3X Fund LP		Total
		(dollars in thousands)
Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC*	Credit-Based	$	430	$	884	$	944	$	—	$	2,258	(b)
Independently Advised Portfolio Funds*	Futures & Global Macro	—		—		—		10,438		10,438		(c)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Credit-Based	152		57		233		—		442		(b)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Event Driven	1,562		2,339		3,781		—		7,682		(d)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Hedged Equity	17		226		1,002		—		1,245		(e)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Multi-Strategy	246		635		685		—		1,566		(f)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Fixed Income Arbitrage	29		42		—		—		71		(g)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Opportunistic Equity	—		103		116		—		219		(h)
		$	2,436	$	4,286	$	6,761	$	10,438	$	23,921

		Fair value as of December 31, 2011
	Strategy	Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP		Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP		Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP		RTS Global 3X Fund LP		Total
		(dollars in thousands)
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*	Multi-Strategy	$	—	$	8,269	$	—	$	—	$	8,269	(a)
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*	Multi-Strategy	—		—		8,883		—		8,883		(a)
Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC*	Credit-Based	438		—		—		—		438		(b)
Independently Advised Portfolio Funds*	Futures & Global Macro	—		—		—		8,078		8,078		(c)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Credit-Based	260		—		—		—		260		(b)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Event Driven	1,992		—		—		—		1,992		(d)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Hedged Equity	35		—		—		—		35		(e)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Multi-Strategy	459		—		—		—		459		(f)
Externally Managed Portfolio Funds	Fixed Income Arbitrage	54		—		—		—		54		(g)
		$	3,238	$	8,269	$	8,883	$	8,078	$	28,468

 *    These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

The Company has no unfunded commitments regarding investments held by the four consolidated funds.

(a) Investments held in affiliated master funds can be redeemed on a monthly basis with no advance notice.

(b) The Credit‑Based strategy aims to generate returns via positions in the credit sensitive sphere of the fixed income markets. The strategy generally involves the purchase of corporate bonds with hedging of the interest exposure. The investments held in Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC, a related fund, are held solely in a credit based fund which the fund's manager has placed in a side-pocket. The remaining amount of the investments within this category represents an investment in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.

(c) The Futures and Global Macro strategy is comprised of several portfolio accounts, each of which will be advised independently by a commodity trading advisor implementing primarily managed futures or global macro‑based investment strategies. The trading advisors (through their respective portfolio accounts) will trade independently of each other and, as a group, will employ a wide variety of systematic, relative value and discretionary trading programs in the global currency, fixed income, commodities and equity futures markets. In implementing their trading programs, the trading advisors will trade primarily in the futures and forward markets (as well as in related options). Although certain trading advisors may be permitted to use total return swaps and trade other financial instruments from time to time on an interim basis, the primary focus will be on the futures and forward markets. Redemption frequency of these portfolio accounts are monthly (and intra month for a $10,000 fee) and the notification period for redemptions is 5 business days (or 3 business days for intra month redemptions).

(d) The Event Driven strategy is generally implemented through various combinations and permutations of merger arbitrage, restructuring and distressed instruments. The investments in this category are primarily in a side pocket or suspended with undetermined payout dates.

(e) The Hedged Equity strategy focuses on equity strategies with some directional market exposure. The strategy attempts to profit from market efficiencies and direction. The investee fund manager has side-pocketed investments.

(f) The Multi‑Strategy investment objective is to invest discrete pools of its capital among portfolio managers that invest through investment funds, forming multi-strategy, diversified investment portfolios designed to achieve non-market directional returns with low relative volatility. The investments in this category represent investments in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.

(g) The Fixed Income Arbitrage strategy seeks to achieve long term capital appreciation by employing a variety of strategies to generate returns without significant exposure to credit spread, interest rate changes or duration. As of September 30, 2012, the investment manager has gated investments.

(h) The Opportunistic Equity investment style seeks to profit from higher levels of realized market volatility giving to shorter term price momentum and mean reversion trading opportunities.  The investee fund manager has side-pocketed investments with undetermined payout dates.

(2) Lehman Claims, at fair value

With respect to the aforementioned Lehman claims, the Total Net Equity Claim of Enterprise Master consists of $24.3 million. Included in this claim were assets with a value of $9.5 million at the time LBIE entered Administration, that were returned to Enterprise Master and its affiliated funds in June 2010. Enterprise Master and its affiliated funds sold the returned assets for an aggregate $10.7 million, and distributed this amount to Enterprise Master's investors in July 2010. In December 2011, Enterprise Master received an aggregate of approximately $2.4 million relating to securities, interest and dividends earned with respect to securities held by LBIE on behalf of Enterprise Master. A distribution of $2.9 million occurred in February of 2012. Post-distribution, the remaining Net Equity Claim for Enterprise Master is $12.4 million. On November 2, 2012, Enterprise Master executed a Claims Determination Deed with respect to the unsecured portion of its claim against LBIE.  By entering into this deed, Enterprise Master and LBIE reached agreement on the amount of Enterprise Master's unsecured claim, which was agreed to be approximately $1.1 million.  As a result of entering into this deed, Enterprise Master will be entitled to participate in the first dividend to unsecured creditors of LBIE, which is expected to be paid before the end of the year, though the amount of that dividend has not yet been determined. Enterprise Master is valuing this claim at $8.6 million as of September 30, 2012. Of this amount, $6.9 million was attributable to Enterprise LP based on its ownership percentage in Enterprise Master at the time of the Administration. As discussed in Note 6a(4), the Company has an additional $1.0 million claim against LBIE as a result of certain cash and cash equivalent balances held at LBIE. LBIE claims consist of several components, valued as follows: (a) the trust assets that the Company was informed were within the control of LBIE and were expected to be returned in the relatively near term were valued at market less a 1% discount that corresponds to the fee to be charged under the Claim Resolution Agreement (“CRA”), (b) the trust assets that are not within the control of LBIE were valued at 73% with respect to US denominated Assets (which the Company believes to be held through Lehman Brothers, Inc. ("LBI")) and 73% with respect to foreign denominated Assets (which the Company does not believe are held through LBI) which represented the Company's estimate of potential recovery rates and (c) the remaining unsecured claims against LBIE were valued at 73%, which represented the Company's estimate of potential recovery rates with respect to this exposure using available market quotes. The Company believes that shortfalls with respect to trust assets that are not within LBIE's control will give rise to unsecured claims against LBIE. As a result, these claims were valued at 73%, as the Company believes the unsecured recovery rate may be higher than the recovery rate of the trust assets based on its current valuation methodology. The estimated final recoverable amount by Enterprise Master may differ from the actual recoverable amount of the pending LBIE and LBI claims, and the differences may be significant.

As a result of Enterprise Master and certain of the funds managed by the Company having assets held at LBIE frozen in their LBIE prime brokerage account and the degree of uncertainty as to the status of those assets and the process and prospects of the return of those assets, Enterprise Master and the funds managed by the Company decided that only the investors who were invested at the time of the Administration should participate in any profit or loss relating to the Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim. As a result, Enterprise Master and certain of the funds managed by the Company with assets held at LBIE granted a 100% participation in the Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claims to Special Purpose Vehicles (the “SPVs” or “Lehman Segregated Funds”) incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on September 29, 2008, whose shares were distributed to each of their investor funds. Fully redeeming investors of Enterprise LP will not be paid out on the balance invested in the SPV until the claim with LBIE is settled and assets are returned by LBIE.

In addition to Enterprise Master's claims against LBIE, LBI was a prime broker to Enterprise Master and Enterprise Master holds cash balances of $5.3 million at LBI. On September 19, 2008, LBI was placed in a Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) liquidation proceeding after the filing for bankruptcy of its parent Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. The status of the assets under LBI's bankruptcy proceedings has not been determined. The amount that will ultimately be recovered from LBI will depend on the amount of assets available in the fund of customer property to be established by the trustee appointed under the Securities Investor Protection Act (the “SIPA Trustee”) as approved by the bankruptcy court as well as the total amount of customer claims that seek recovery from the fund of customer property. Based on court filings by the SIPA Trustee, the total amount of customer claims exceeds the assets that are likely to be in the fund of customer property. There has been a recent announcement regarding an agreement in principle being reached between LBIE and LBI with respect to their claims against each other which should reduce the total amount of claims against the fund of customer property. This agreement in principle is non-binding and still subject to execution of a definitive agreement and approval of the bankruptcy court. In addition, while there has been an initial ruling with respect to the claims asserted by Barclays plc against LBI relating to an asset purchase agreement entered into by Barclays plc with LBIE near the time of the SIPC liquidation proceeding, there is still uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of these claims that could affect the amount of assets that are included in the fund of customer property. As a result of these uncertainties and the timing of any distributions from LBI in respect of the Company's customer claims, but taking into consideration the agreement in principle reached between LBIE and LBI and the reduction of the total amount of claims against LBI as contemplated by that agreement, management has estimated recovery with respect to the Company's exposure to LBI at 69% or $3.6 million as of September 30, 2012, which represents the present value of the mid point between what management believes are reasonable estimates of the low side and high side potential recovery rates with respect to the Company's exposure. The estimated recoverable amount by the Company may differ from the actual recoverable amount of the pending LBI claim, and the differences may be significant.(See Note 6a(4)).

Indirect Concentration of the Underlying Investments Held by Consolidated Funds

From time to time, through its investments in the Consolidated Funds, the Company may indirectly maintain exposure to a particular issue or issuer (both long and/or short) which may account for 5% or more of the Consolidated Funds' net assets (on an aggregated basis). Based on information that is available to the Company as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company assessed whether or not its Consolidated Funds had interests in an issuer for which the Company's pro-rata share exceeds 5% of the Consolidated Funds' net assets (on an aggregated basis). There were no indirect concentrations that exceed 5% of the Consolidated Funds' net assets held by the Company as of September 30, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

Underlying Investments of Unconsolidated Funds Held by Consolidated Funds

Enterprise Master

Enterprise LP's investment in Enterprise Master represents Enterprise LP's proportionate share of Enterprise Master's net assets; as a result, the investment balances of Enterprise Master reflected below may exceed the net investment which Enterprise LP has recorded. The following tables present summarized investment information for the underlying investments and derivatives held by Enterprise Master as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

Securities owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased by Enterprise Master, at fair value

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Bank debt	$	66	$	—
Common stock	2,353		2,173
Preferred stock	823		1,027
Private equity	294		276
Restricted stock	18		47
Rights	1,755		2,173
Trade claims	128		128
Warrants	3		3
	$	5,440	$	5,827

Derivative contracts, at fair value, owned by Enterprise Master, net

	As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Currency forwards	$	8	$	53
	$	8	$	53

Portfolio Funds, owned by Enterprise Master, at fair value

		As of September 30, 2012		As of December 31, 2011
	Strategy	Fair Value
		(dollars in thousands)
624 Art Holdings, LLC*	Artwork	$	32	$	38
RCG Longview Equity Fund, LP*	Real Estate	14,326		14,460
RCG Longview II, LP*	Real Estate	1,280		1,592
RCG Longview Debt Fund IV, LP*	Real Estate	30,572		23,594
RCG Longview, LP*	Real Estate	293		271
RCG Soundview, LLC*	Real Estate	2,684		2,748
RCG Urban American Real Estate Fund, L.P.*	Real Estate	3,261		3,142
RCG International Sarl*	Multi-Strategy	864		870
Ramius Navigation Fund Ltd*	Multi-Strategy	—		1,106
RCG Special Opportunities Fund, Ltd*	Multi-Strategy	79,599		97,144
Ramius Credit Opportunities Fund Ltd*	Distressed	—		121
RCG Endeavour, LLC*	Multi-Strategy	48		47
RCG Energy, LLC *	Energy	19,255		16,560
RCG Renergys, LLC*	Energy	1		2
Other Private Investments	Various	15,923		16,580
Real Estate Investments	Real Estate	13,670		15,795
		$	181,808	$	194,070

* These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP and Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP

Multi‑Strat FOF's and Vintage FOF's investments in their respective master funds, when Multi‑Strat FOF's and Vintage FOF were consolidated as of December 31, 2011, represented their proportionate share of their master fund's net assets; as a result, the master funds investments in Portfolio Funds reflected below may have exceeded the net investments which Multi‑Strat FOF and Vintage FOF have recorded. Due to a restructuring related to the liquidation of the funds, Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF were first consolidated during the first quarter of 2012 (see Note 3b). The following table presents summarized investment information for the underlying Portfolio Funds held by Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF, at estimated fair value, as of December 31, 2011:

		As of December 31, 2011
	Strategy	Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP		Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP
		(dollars in thousands)
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*	Multi Strategy	$	552	$	—
Tapestry Pooled Account V, LLC*	Credit-Based	901		962
Externally Managed Funds	Credit-Based	40		399
Externally Managed Funds	Event Driven	3,015		5,044
Externally Managed Funds	Fixed Income Arbitrage	79		—
Externally Managed Funds	Hedged Equity	1,272		1,753
Externally Managed Funds	Multi Strategy	1,319		1,442
		$	7,178	$	9,600

* These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

RTS Global 3X Fund LP's Portfolio Fund investments

RTS Global 3X, which commenced operations in March 2010, invests over half of its equity in six externally managed portfolio funds which primarily concentrate on futures and global macro strategies. RTS Global 3X's investments in the portfolio funds represent its proportionate share of the portfolio funds net assets; as a result, the portfolio funds' investments reflected below may exceed the net investment which RTS Global 3X has recorded. The following table presents the summarized investment information, which primarily consists of receivables/(payables) on derivatives, for the underlying Portfolio Funds held by RTS Global 3X, at fair value, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

	As of September 30, 2012			As of December 31, 2011
	(dollars in thousands)
Bond futures	$	482		$	(2	)
Commodity options	—			181
Currency options	—			487
Commodity forwards	(650		)	51
Commodity futures	1,087			756
Currency forwards	(65		)	157
Currency futures	504			418
Energy futures	76			2
Equity future	(59		)	—
Foreign currency option	—			358
Index options	(9		)	80
Index futures	(1,837		)	80
Interest rate futures	670			20
Interest rate options	—			(25		)
	$	199		$	2,563

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Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

The following table presents the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition by caption and by level within the valuation hierarchy as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

Operating Entities

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned and derivatives
US Government securities	$	95,038	$	—	$	—	$	95,038
Common stocks	297,987		43		2,960		300,990
Convertible bonds	—		50,854		—		50,854
Corporate bonds	—		168,021		—		168,021
Futures	653		—		—		653
Currency forwards	—		418		—		418
Options	23,298		3,245		—		26,543
Warrants and rights	374		—		4,062		4,436
Mutual funds	2,890		—		—		2,890
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		26,794		20,493		47,287
Real estate investments	—		—		2,102		2,102
Lehman claim	—		—		761		761
	$	420,240	$	249,375	$	30,378	$	699,993

	Liabilities at Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities sold, not yet purchased and derivatives
US Government securities	$	8	$	—	$	—	$	8
Common stocks	195,911		—		—		195,911
Corporate bonds	—		61		—		61
Futures	101		—		—		101
Currency forwards	—		21		—		21
Options	14,725		—		—		14,725
	$	210,745	$	82	$	—	$	210,827

	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned and derivatives
US Government securities	$	182,868	$	—	$	—	$	182,868
Common stocks	248,598		713		1,069		250,380
Convertible bonds	—		18,130		—		18,130
Corporate bonds	—		231,864		—		231,864
Futures	172		—		—		172
Equity swaps	—		635		—		635
Options	55,530		169		—		55,699
Warrants and rights	1,225		—		1,534		2,759
Mutual funds	3,214		—		—		3,214
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		23,431		16,919		40,350
Real estate investments	—		—		2,353		2,353
Lehman claim	—		—		553		553
	$	491,607	$	274,942	$	22,428	$	788,977

	Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities sold, not yet purchased and derivatives
US Government securities	$	165,197	$	—	$	—	$	165,197
Common stocks	123,875		2		—		123,877
Corporate bonds	—		1,529		—		1,529
Futures	617		—		—		617
Equity swaps—short exposure	—		140		—		140
Options	43,648		—		—		43,648
	$	333,337	$	1,671	$	—	$	335,008

Consolidated Funds' investments

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned
US Government securities	$	1,501	$	—	$	—	$	1,501
Commercial paper	—		1,594		—		1,594
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		10,438		187,797		198,235
Lehman claims	—		—		6,860		6,860
	$	1,501	$	12,032	$	194,657	$	208,190

	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned
US Government securities	$	2,006	$	—	$	—	$	2,006
Commercial paper	—		3,927		—		3,927
Corporate bonds	—		401		—		401
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		8,078		213,402		221,480
Lehman claims	—		—		7,340		7,340
	$	2,006	$	12,406	$	220,742	$	235,154

The following table includes a rollforward of the amounts for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 for financial instruments classified within level 3. The classification of a financial instrument within level 3 is based upon the significance of the unobservable inputs to the overall fair value measurement.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
	Operating Entities																						Consolidated Funds
	Common stocks			Common stocks, sold not yet purchased		Restricted Common Stock			Warrants and Rights			Warrants and Rights, sold not yet purchased			Portfolio Funds			Real estate			Lehman claim		Portfolio Funds			Lehman claim
	(dollars in thousands)
Balance at June 30, 2012	$	959		$	—	$	—		$	2,844		$	3		$	19,876		$	2,079		$	731	$	209,507		$	6,538
Transfers in	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Transfers out	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Purchases/(covers)	2,000			—		—			341			—			320			—			—		—			—
(Sales)/short buys	—			—		—			—			—			(361		)	—			—		(19,233		)	—
Realized gains (losses)	—			—		—			—			(3		)	(48		)	—			—		182			—
Unrealized gains (losses)	1			—		—			877			—			706			23			30		(2,659		)	322
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	2,960		$	—	$	—		$	4,062		$	—		$	20,493		$	2,102		$	761	$	187,797		$	6,860
Balance at June 30, 2011	$	953		$	—	$	5,000		$	3,534		$	—		$	17,744		$	2,289		$	501	$	239,588		$	7,320
Transfers in	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Transfers out	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Purchases/(covers)	19			—		—			40			—			7,356			17			—		1			—
(Sales)/short buys	(135		)	—		(4,857		)	(36		)	—			(11,648		)	(1		)	—		(16,320		)	—
Realized gains (losses)	135			—		(143		)	—			—			1			—			—		68			—
Unrealized gains (losses)	(160		)	—		—			(2,184		)	—			456			2			—		(4,181		)	(125		)
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	812		$	—	$	—		$	1,354		$	—		$	13,909		$	2,307		$	501	$	219,156		$	7,195

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
	Operating Entities																									Consolidated Funds
	Common stocks			Common stocks, sold not yet purchased			Restricted Common Stock			Warrants and Rights				Warrants and Rights, sold not yet purchased				Portfolio Funds			Real estate			Lehman claim		Portfolio Funds				Lehman claim
	(dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	1,069		$	—		$	—		$	1,534			$	—			$	16,919		$	2,353		$	553	$	213,402			$	7,340
Transfers in	—			—			—			—				—				—			—			—		16,227			(a)	—
Transfers out	—			—			—			(88		)	(b)	(1,004		)	(c)	—			—			—		(17,151		)	(a)	—
Purchases/(covers)	2,000			—			—			623				(306		)		3,171			152			—		434				—
(Sales)/short buys	(6		)	—			—			(65		)		982				(1,175		)	(501		)	—		(24,259		)		(2,291		)
Realized gains (losses)	6			—			—			56				(38		)		(41		)	—			—		(1,510		)		1,914
Unrealized gains (losses)	(109		)	—			—			2,002				366				1,619			98			208		654				(103		)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	2,960		$	—		$	—		$	4,062			$	—			$	20,493		$	2,102		$	761	$	187,797			$	6,860
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	334		$	—		$	5,000		$	1,977			$	—			$	17,081		$	1,882		$	313	$	311,242			$	6,243
Transfers in	—			—			—			—				—				—			—			—		—				—
Transfers out	—			—			—			—				—				—			—			—		—				—
Purchases/(covers)	678			(978		)	—			105				—				43,929			254			—		2				—
(Sales)/short buys	(544		)	833			(4,857		)	(84		)		—				(48,377		)	(6		)	—		(97,244		)		—
Realized gains (losses)	135			145			(143		)	48				—				108			—			—		2,444				—
Unrealized gains (losses)	209			—			—			(692		)		—				1,168			177			188		2,712				952
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	812		$	—		$	—		$	1,354			$	—			$	13,909		$	2,307		$	501	$	219,156			$	7,195

(a) Change in consolidated funds (see Note 3b).

(b) The security was listed on an exchange subsequent to a private funding.

(c) The security began trading on an exchange due to a business combination.

All realized and unrealized gains (losses) in the table above are reflected in other income (loss) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and therefore are not included in the tables above. These include assets such as goodwill and intangibles.

The Company recognizes all transfers at the beginning of the reporting period and related unrealized gain (loss) is also transferred at the beginning of the reporting period.

Transfers between level 1 and 2 generally relate to whether the principal market for the security becomes active or inactive. Transfers between level 2 and 3 generally relate to whether significant relevant observable inputs are available for the fair value measurements or due to change in liquidity restrictions for the investments.

During the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, there were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 assets and liabilities.

The following table includes quantitative information as of September 30, 2012 for financial instruments classified within level 3. The table below quantifies information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company's level 3 financial instruments.

	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value at September 30, 2012		Valuation techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Range (weighted average)
Common stocks	$	2,960	Discounted cash flows, market multiples, recent transactions, bid levels, and comparable transactions.	Market multiples, valuation metric weights, and DCF discount rate.	Valuation metric: 25%-100%. DCF discount rates: 15%-25%, Market multiples: 9x-10x
Warrants and rights	4,062		Model based	Volatility	Volatility: 20% to 40%
Real estate	275		Market approach, income approach, and replacement cost.	Capital rate, DCF discount rate, net operating income, and replacement cost assumptions.	Capital rate: 4.99% to 8.75%
Lehman claim	761		Discounted cash flows and market quotes.	Projected cash flows and DCF discount rate.	Timing of projected cash flow: 9 months. DCF discount rate: 15%
	$	8,058
Other level 3 assets and liabilities (a)	216,977
Total level 3 assets and liabilities	$	225,035

(a) Quantitative disclosures of unobservable inputs and assumptions are not required for investments for which NAV per share is used as a practical expedient to determine fair value, as their redemption features rather than observability of inputs cause them to be classified as a level 3 type asset within the fair value hierarchy. In addition, the fair value of the Consolidated Funds' investments are determined based on net asset value and therefore quantitative disclosures are not included in the table above.

The Company has established valuation policies and procedures and an internal control infrastructure over its fair value measurement of financial instruments which includes ongoing oversight by the valuation committee as well as periodic audits performed by the Company's internal audit group. The valuation committee is comprised of senior management, including non-investment professionals, who are responsible for overseeing and monitoring the pricing of the Company's investments, including the review of the results of the independent price verification process, approval of new trading asset classes and use of applicable pricing models and approaches.

The US GAAP fair value leveling hierarchy is designated and monitored on an ongoing basis. In determining the designation, the Company takes into consideration a number of factors including the observability of inputs, liquidity of the investment and the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement. Designations, models, pricing vendors, third party valuation providers and inputs used to derive fair market value are subject to review by the valuation committee and the internal audit group. The Company reviews its valuation policy guidelines on an ongoing basis and may adjust them in light of, improved valuation metrics and models, the availability of reliable inputs and information, and prevailing market conditions. The Company reviews a daily profit and loss report, as well as other periodic reports, and analyzes material changes from period-to-period in the valuation of its investments as part of its control procedures. The Company also performs back testing on a regular basis by comparing prices observed in executed transactions to previous valuations.

The fair market value for level 3 securities may be highly sensitive to the use of industry standard models, unobservable inputs and subjective assumptions. The degree of fair market value sensitivity is also contingent upon the subjective weight given to specific inputs and valuation metrics. The Company holds various equity and debt instruments where different weight may be applied to industry standard models representing standard valuation metrics such as: discounted cash flows, market multiples, comparative transactions, capital rates, recovery rates and timing, and bid levels. Generally, changes in the weights ascribed to the various valuation metrics and the significant unobservable inputs in isolation may result in significantly lower or higher fair value measurements. Volatility levels for warrants and options are not readily observable and subject to interpretation. Changes in capital rates, discount rates and replacement costs could significantly increase or decrease the valuation of the real estate investments. The interrelationship between unobservable inputs may vary significantly amongst level 3 securities as they are generally highly idiosyncratic. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation can result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.

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Goodwill

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill

Goodwill

In accordance with US GAAP, the Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or at an interim period if events or changed circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Under US GAAP, the Company first assesses the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amounts as a basis for determining if it is necessary to perform the two-step approach. Periodically estimating the fair value of a reporting unit requires significant judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant effect on whether or not an impairment charge is recorded and the magnitude of such a charge.

Due to the acquisition of the ATM Group (see Note 2) the Company recognized goodwill in the amount of $6.2 million in the second quarter of 2012. The goodwill primarily relates to the expected synergies from the merger and has been assigned to the broker-dealer segment of the Company.

No impairment charges for goodwill were recognized during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012.

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Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended							3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Equity Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Equity Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member] Employee Stock Option [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member] Employee Stock Option [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member] Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Non-employee Director [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Non-employee Director [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Maximum [Member]	Jan. 02, 2012 Cowen Group, Inc. 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Cowen Group, Inc. 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 RCG Grants [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 RCG Grants [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 RCG Grants [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 RCG Grants [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 RCG Grants [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Grants to Non-employee Directors [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Grants to Non-employee Directors [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized under compensation plan, in shares	17,725,000		17,725,000
Stock compensation award, vesting period					2 years	5 years		2 years	5 years			2 years	5 years							3 years
Stock options, initial term			7 years
Shares available for issuance under compensation plan, in shares	1,100,000		1,100,000							336,895	336,895
Additional shares authorized under compensation plan, in shares														8,200,000
Shares available under compensation plan, as a percentage of outstanding stock															7.50%
Stock-compensation expense recognized in connection with compensation plan	$ 5.7	$ 5.1	$ 16.2	$ 15.6												$ 1.3	$ 1.0	$ 4.4	$ 3.9
Tax benefit of stock-compensation expense recognized in connection with compensation plan	$ 4.4	$ 2.8	$ 9.0	$ 7.8												$ 0.5	$ 0.4	$ 1.7	$ 1.5
Shares granted to non-employee board members											257,004										0	257,004
Shares vested in period							4,337,252			0	108,237									0

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Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans - Stock Options (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member]
Shares Subject to Option
Balance outstanding, beginning of period, shares			866,428
Options granted, shares			0
Options acquired, shares			0
Options expired, shares			(92,665)
Balance outstanding, end of period, shares			773,763
Options exercisable, shares			623,760
Weighted Average Exercise Price/Share
Balance outstanding, beginning of period, in dollars per share			$ 12.95
Options granted, in dollars per share			$ 0.00
Options acquired, in dollars per share			$ 0.00
Options expired, in dollars per share			$ 16.00
Balance outstanding, end of period, in dollars per share			$ 12.58
Options exercisable, in dollars per share			$ 14.66
Weighted average remaining term, options outstanding	1 year 10 months 24 days	2 years 6 months 11 days
Weighted average remaining term, options exercisable	1 year 2 months 9 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance outstanding, beginning of period			$ 0	[1]
Balance outstanding, end of period			0	[1]
Options exercisable			$ 0	[1]
Closing stock price, in dollars per share	$ 2.71	$ 2.59

[1] Based on the Company's closing stock price of $2.71 on September 30, 2012 and $2.59 on December 31, 2011.

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Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	$ 88,011		$ 88,011		$ 104,587
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(1,033)	(783)	(1,225)	2,473
Operating Companies [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	5,148		5,148		6,472
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	298	1,147	893	3,087
Consolidated Funds [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	82,863		82,863		98,115
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	$ (1,331)	$ (1,930)	$ (2,118)	$ (614)

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Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis

The following table presents the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition by caption and by level within the valuation hierarchy as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

Operating Entities

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned and derivatives
US Government securities	$	95,038	$	—	$	—	$	95,038
Common stocks	297,987		43		2,960		300,990
Convertible bonds	—		50,854		—		50,854
Corporate bonds	—		168,021		—		168,021
Futures	653		—		—		653
Currency forwards	—		418		—		418
Options	23,298		3,245		—		26,543
Warrants and rights	374		—		4,062		4,436
Mutual funds	2,890		—		—		2,890
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		26,794		20,493		47,287
Real estate investments	—		—		2,102		2,102
Lehman claim	—		—		761		761
	$	420,240	$	249,375	$	30,378	$	699,993

	Liabilities at Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities sold, not yet purchased and derivatives
US Government securities	$	8	$	—	$	—	$	8
Common stocks	195,911		—		—		195,911
Corporate bonds	—		61		—		61
Futures	101		—		—		101
Currency forwards	—		21		—		21
Options	14,725		—		—		14,725
	$	210,745	$	82	$	—	$	210,827

	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned and derivatives
US Government securities	$	182,868	$	—	$	—	$	182,868
Common stocks	248,598		713		1,069		250,380
Convertible bonds	—		18,130		—		18,130
Corporate bonds	—		231,864		—		231,864
Futures	172		—		—		172
Equity swaps	—		635		—		635
Options	55,530		169		—		55,699
Warrants and rights	1,225		—		1,534		2,759
Mutual funds	3,214		—		—		3,214
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		23,431		16,919		40,350
Real estate investments	—		—		2,353		2,353
Lehman claim	—		—		553		553
	$	491,607	$	274,942	$	22,428	$	788,977

	Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities sold, not yet purchased and derivatives
US Government securities	$	165,197	$	—	$	—	$	165,197
Common stocks	123,875		2		—		123,877
Corporate bonds	—		1,529		—		1,529
Futures	617		—		—		617
Equity swaps—short exposure	—		140		—		140
Options	43,648		—		—		43,648
	$	333,337	$	1,671	$	—	$	335,008

Consolidated Funds' investments

	Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned
US Government securities	$	1,501	$	—	$	—	$	1,501
Commercial paper	—		1,594		—		1,594
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		10,438		187,797		198,235
Lehman claims	—		—		6,860		6,860
	$	1,501	$	12,032	$	194,657	$	208,190

	Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities owned
US Government securities	$	2,006	$	—	$	—	$	2,006
Commercial paper	—		3,927		—		3,927
Corporate bonds	—		401		—		401
Other investments
Portfolio Funds	—		8,078		213,402		221,480
Lehman claims	—		—		7,340		7,340
	$	2,006	$	12,406	$	220,742	$	235,154

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation

The following table includes a rollforward of the amounts for the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 for financial instruments classified within level 3. The classification of a financial instrument within level 3 is based upon the significance of the unobservable inputs to the overall fair value measurement.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
	Operating Entities																						Consolidated Funds
	Common stocks			Common stocks, sold not yet purchased		Restricted Common Stock			Warrants and Rights			Warrants and Rights, sold not yet purchased			Portfolio Funds			Real estate			Lehman claim		Portfolio Funds			Lehman claim
	(dollars in thousands)
Balance at June 30, 2012	$	959		$	—	$	—		$	2,844		$	3		$	19,876		$	2,079		$	731	$	209,507		$	6,538
Transfers in	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Transfers out	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Purchases/(covers)	2,000			—		—			341			—			320			—			—		—			—
(Sales)/short buys	—			—		—			—			—			(361		)	—			—		(19,233		)	—
Realized gains (losses)	—			—		—			—			(3		)	(48		)	—			—		182			—
Unrealized gains (losses)	1			—		—			877			—			706			23			30		(2,659		)	322
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	2,960		$	—	$	—		$	4,062		$	—		$	20,493		$	2,102		$	761	$	187,797		$	6,860
Balance at June 30, 2011	$	953		$	—	$	5,000		$	3,534		$	—		$	17,744		$	2,289		$	501	$	239,588		$	7,320
Transfers in	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Transfers out	—			—		—			—			—			—			—			—		—			—
Purchases/(covers)	19			—		—			40			—			7,356			17			—		1			—
(Sales)/short buys	(135		)	—		(4,857		)	(36		)	—			(11,648		)	(1		)	—		(16,320		)	—
Realized gains (losses)	135			—		(143		)	—			—			1			—			—		68			—
Unrealized gains (losses)	(160		)	—		—			(2,184		)	—			456			2			—		(4,181		)	(125		)
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	812		$	—	$	—		$	1,354		$	—		$	13,909		$	2,307		$	501	$	219,156		$	7,195

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
	Operating Entities																									Consolidated Funds
	Common stocks			Common stocks, sold not yet purchased			Restricted Common Stock			Warrants and Rights				Warrants and Rights, sold not yet purchased				Portfolio Funds			Real estate			Lehman claim		Portfolio Funds				Lehman claim
	(dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	1,069		$	—		$	—		$	1,534			$	—			$	16,919		$	2,353		$	553	$	213,402			$	7,340
Transfers in	—			—			—			—				—				—			—			—		16,227			(a)	—
Transfers out	—			—			—			(88		)	(b)	(1,004		)	(c)	—			—			—		(17,151		)	(a)	—
Purchases/(covers)	2,000			—			—			623				(306		)		3,171			152			—		434				—
(Sales)/short buys	(6		)	—			—			(65		)		982				(1,175		)	(501		)	—		(24,259		)		(2,291		)
Realized gains (losses)	6			—			—			56				(38		)		(41		)	—			—		(1,510		)		1,914
Unrealized gains (losses)	(109		)	—			—			2,002				366				1,619			98			208		654				(103		)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	2,960		$	—		$	—		$	4,062			$	—			$	20,493		$	2,102		$	761	$	187,797			$	6,860
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	334		$	—		$	5,000		$	1,977			$	—			$	17,081		$	1,882		$	313	$	311,242			$	6,243
Transfers in	—			—			—			—				—				—			—			—		—				—
Transfers out	—			—			—			—				—				—			—			—		—				—
Purchases/(covers)	678			(978		)	—			105				—				43,929			254			—		2				—
(Sales)/short buys	(544		)	833			(4,857		)	(84		)		—				(48,377		)	(6		)	—		(97,244		)		—
Realized gains (losses)	135			145			(143		)	48				—				108			—			—		2,444				—
Unrealized gains (losses)	209			—			—			(692		)		—				1,168			177			188		2,712				952
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	812		$	—		$	—		$	1,354			$	—			$	13,909		$	2,307		$	501	$	219,156			$	7,195

(a) Change in consolidated funds (see Note 3b).

(b) The security was listed on an exchange subsequent to a private funding.

Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information

The following table includes quantitative information as of September 30, 2012 for financial instruments classified within level 3. The table below quantifies information about the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company's level 3 financial instruments.

	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value at September 30, 2012		Valuation techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Range (weighted average)
Common stocks	$	2,960	Discounted cash flows, market multiples, recent transactions, bid levels, and comparable transactions.	Market multiples, valuation metric weights, and DCF discount rate.	Valuation metric: 25%-100%. DCF discount rates: 15%-25%, Market multiples: 9x-10x
Warrants and rights	4,062		Model based	Volatility	Volatility: 20% to 40%
Real estate	275		Market approach, income approach, and replacement cost.	Capital rate, DCF discount rate, net operating income, and replacement cost assumptions.	Capital rate: 4.99% to 8.75%
Lehman claim	761		Discounted cash flows and market quotes.	Projected cash flows and DCF discount rate.	Timing of projected cash flow: 9 months. DCF discount rate: 15%
	$	8,058
Other level 3 assets and liabilities (a)	216,977
Total level 3 assets and liabilities	$	225,035

(a) Quantitative disclosures of unobservable inputs and assumptions are not required for investments for which NAV per share is used as a practical expedient to determine fair value, as their redemption features rather than observability of inputs cause them to be classified as a level 3 type asset within the fair value hierarchy. In addition, the fair value of the Consolidated Funds' investments are determined based on net asset value and therefore quantitative disclosures are not included in the table above.

XML

Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Portfolio Funds (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Number of funds	7
Other investments	$ 70,151,000		$ 59,943,000
Operating Entities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	70,151,000		59,943,000
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	47,287,000		40,350,000
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Healthcare Royalty Partners [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	8,119,000	[1],[2]	6,297,000	[1],[2]
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Healthcare Royalty Partners II [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	2,617,000	[1],[2]	1,521,000	[1],[2]
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Global Credit Fund LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	13,600,000	[2],[3]	11,790,000	[2],[3]
Required notice period, redemption	60 days		60 days
Penalty on redemptions of less than one year	4.00%		4.00%
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Alternative Replication Ltd [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	831,000	[2],[4]	837,000	[2],[4]
Required notice period, redemption	7 days		7 days
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Tapestry Investment Co PCC Ltd [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	193,000	[5]	185,000	[5]
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Enhanced Replication Fund LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	708,000	[2],[6]	337,000	[2],[6]
Required notice period, redemption	7 days		7 days
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	12,246,000	[2],[7]	11,123,000	[2],[7]
Required notice period, withdrawal	90 days		90 days
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG LV Park Lane LLC [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	700,000	[8]	0	[8]
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Other Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	7,413,000	[9]	7,415,000	[9]
Operating Entities [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Other Funds [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	860,000	[2],[9]	845,000	[2],[9]
Consolidated Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	205,095,000		228,820,000
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	198,235,000		221,480,000
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	181,808,000		194,070,000
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Other Private Investment [Member] | Various Strategies [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	15,923,000		16,580,000
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | 624 Art Holdings, LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Artwork Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	32,000	[10]	38,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG Longview Equity Fund, LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Real Estate Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	14,326,000	[10]	14,460,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG Longview II, LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Real Estate Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	1,280,000	[10]	1,592,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG Longview Debt Fund IV, LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Real Estate Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	30,572,000	[10]	23,594,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG Longview, LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Real Estate Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	293,000	[10]	271,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG Soundview, LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Real Estate Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	2,684,000	[10]	2,748,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG Urban American Real Estate Fund, L.P. [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Real Estate Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	3,261,000	[10]	3,142,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG International Sarl [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	864,000	[10]	870,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Navigation Fund Ltd [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[10]	1,106,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG Special Opportunities Fund, Ltd [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	79,599,000	[10]	97,144,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Credit Opportunities Fund Ltd [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Distressed Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[10]	121,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG Endeavour, LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	48,000	[10]	47,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG Energy, LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Energy Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	19,255,000	[10]	16,560,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | RCG Renergys, LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Energy Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	1,000	[10]	2,000	[10]
Enterprise Master [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member] | Real Estate Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	13,670,000		15,795,000
Enterprise LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	174,314,000		193,012,000
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Number of funds	4		4
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	23,921,000		28,468,000
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			8,269,000	[10],[11]
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			8,883,000	[10],[11]
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	2,258,000	[10],[12]	438,000	[10],[12]
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Independently Advised Portfolio Funds [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Futures and Global Macro Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	10,438,000	[10],[13]	8,078,000	[10],[13]
Required notice period, redemption	5 days		5 days
Required notice period, redemption, intra-month	3 days		3 days
Intra-month redemption fee	10,000		10,000
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	442,000	[12]	260,000	[12]
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Event Driven Stategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	7,682,000	[14]	1,992,000	[14]
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Hedged Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	1,245,000	[15]	35,000	[15]
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	1,566,000	[16]	459,000	[16]
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Fixed Income Arbitrage Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	71,000	[17]	54,000	[17]
Consolidated Fund of Funds [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Opportunistic Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	219,000	[18]
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	2,436,000		3,238,000
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10],[11]
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10],[11]
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	430,000	[10],[12]	438,000	[10],[12]
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Independently Advised Portfolio Funds [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Futures and Global Macro Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[10],[13]	0	[10],[13]
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	152,000	[12]	260,000	[12]
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Event Driven Stategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	1,562,000	[14]	1,992,000	[14]
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Hedged Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	17,000	[15]	35,000	[15]
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	246,000	[16]	459,000	[16]
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Fixed Income Arbitrage Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	29,000	[17]	54,000	[17]
Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Opportunistic Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[18]
Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			8,269,000
Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			8,269,000	[10],[11]
Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10],[11]
Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10],[12]
Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Independently Advised Portfolio Funds [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Futures and Global Macro Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10],[13]
Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[12]
Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Event Driven Stategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[14]
Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Hedged Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[15]
Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[16]
Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Fixed Income Arbitrage Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[17]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			8,883,000
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10],[11]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			8,883,000	[10],[11]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10],[12]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Independently Advised Portfolio Funds [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Futures and Global Macro Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10],[13]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[12]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Event Driven Stategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[14]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Hedged Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[15]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[16]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Fixed Income Arbitrage Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[17]
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	4,286,000		7,178,000
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			552,000	[10]
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	884,000	[10],[12]	901,000	[10]
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Independently Advised Portfolio Funds [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Futures and Global Macro Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[10],[13]
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	57,000	[12]	40,000
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Event Driven Stategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	2,339,000	[14]	3,015,000
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Hedged Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	226,000	[15]	1,272,000
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	635,000	[16]	1,319,000
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Fixed Income Arbitrage Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	42,000	[17]	79,000
Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Opportunistic Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	103,000	[18]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	6,761,000		9,600,000
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	944,000	[10],[12]	962,000	[10]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Independently Advised Portfolio Funds [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Futures and Global Macro Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[10],[13]
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	233,000	[12]	399,000
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Event Driven Stategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	3,781,000	[14]	5,044,000
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Hedged Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	1,002,000	[15]	1,753,000
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	685,000	[16]	1,442,000
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Fixed Income Arbitrage Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[17]	0
Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Opportunistic Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	116,000	[18]
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Number of funds	6
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	10,438,000		8,078,000
Derivative asset (liability)	199,000		2,563,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Bond Futures [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	482,000		(2,000)
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Commodity Futures [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	1,087,000		756,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Currency Futures [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	504,000		418,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Energy Futures [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	76,000		2,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Equity Futures [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	(59,000)		0
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Index Futures [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	(1,837,000)		80,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Interest Rate Futures [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	670,000		20,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Commodity Options [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	0		181,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Currency Options [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	0		487,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Foreign Currency Options [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	0		358,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Index Options [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	(9,000)		80,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Interest Rate Options [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	0		(25,000)
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Commodity Forwards [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	(650,000)		51,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Currency Forwards [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Derivative asset (liability)	(65,000)		157,000
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10],[11]
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments			0	[10],[11]
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[10],[12]	0	[10],[12]
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Independently Advised Portfolio Funds [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member] | Futures and Global Macro Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	10,438,000	[10],[13]	8,078,000	[10],[13]
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Credit-Based Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[12]	0	[12]
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Event Driven Stategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[14]	0	[14]
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Hedged Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[15]	0	[15]
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Multi-strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[16]	0	[16]
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Fixed Income Arbitrage Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	0	[17]	0	[17]
RTS Global 3X Fund LP [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Externally Managed Portfolio Funds [Member] | Opportunistic Equity Strategy [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other investments	$ 0	[18]

[1] Healthcare Royalty Partners and Healthcare Royalty Partners II are private equity funds and therefore redemptions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.

[2] These portfolio funds are affiliates of the Company

[3] Ramius Global Credit Fund LP has a quarterly redemption policy with a 60 day notice period and a 4% penalty on redemptions of investments of less than a year in duration.

[4] Ramius Alternative Replication Ltd has monthly redemption policy with a seven day notice period.

[5] Tapestry Investment Company PCC Ltd is in the process of liquidation and redemptions will be made periodically at the investment managers' decision as the underlying investments are liquidated.

[6] Ramius Enhanced Replication Fund LLC has monthly redemption policy with a seven day notice period.

[7] Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP permits quarterly withdrawals upon ninety days notice.

[8] RCG LV Park Lane LLC is single purpose entity formed to participate in a joint venture which acquired, at a discount, the mortgage notes on a portfolio of multifamily real estate properties located in Birmingham, Alabama. RCG LV Park Lane is a private equity structure and therefore distributions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.

[9]

[10] These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

[11] Investments held in affiliated master funds can be redeemed on a monthly basis with no advance notice.

[12] The Credit‑Based strategy aims to generate returns via positions in the credit sensitive sphere of the fixed income markets. The strategy generally involves the purchase of corporate bonds with hedging of the interest exposure. The investments held in Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC, a related fund, are held solely in a credit based fund which the fund's manager has placed in a side-pocket. The remaining amount of the investments within this category represents an investment in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.

[13] The Futures and Global Macro strategy is comprised of several portfolio accounts, each of which will be advised independently by a commodity trading advisor implementing primarily managed futures or global macro‑based investment strategies. The trading advisors (through their respective portfolio accounts) will trade independently of each other and, as a group, will employ a wide variety of systematic, relative value and discretionary trading programs in the global currency, fixed income, commodities and equity futures markets. In implementing their trading programs, the trading advisors will trade primarily in the futures and forward markets (as well as in related options). Although certain trading advisors may be permitted to use total return swaps and trade other financial instruments from time to time on an interim basis, the primary focus will be on the futures and forward markets. Redemption frequency of these portfolio accounts are monthly (and intra month for a $10,000 fee) and the notification period for redemptions is 5 business days (or 3 business days for intra month redemptions).

[14] The Event Driven strategy is generally implemented through various combinations and permutations of merger arbitrage, restructuring and distressed instruments. The investments in this category are primarily in a side pocket or suspended with undetermined payout dates.

[15] The Hedged Equity strategy focuses on equity strategies with some directional market exposure. The strategy attempts to profit from market efficiencies and direction. The investee fund manager has side-pocketed investments.

[16] The Multi‑Strategy investment objective is to invest discrete pools of its capital among portfolio managers that invest through investment funds, forming multi-strategy, diversified investment portfolios designed to achieve non-market directional returns with low relative volatility. The investments in this category represent investments in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.

[17] The Fixed Income Arbitrage strategy seeks to achieve long term capital appreciation by employing a variety of strategies to generate returns without significant exposure to credit spread, interest rate changes or duration. As of September 30, 2012, the investment manager has gated investments.

[18] The Opportunistic Equity investment style seeks to profit from higher levels of realized market volatility giving to shorter term price momentum and mean reversion trading opportunities. The investee fund manager has side-pocketed investments with undetermined payout dates.

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Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Obligations

The Company has entered into non-cancellable leases for office space and equipment. These leases contain rent escalation clauses. The Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any rent holiday periods. Rent expense was $3.6 million and $3.6 million, for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and was $11.0 million and $10.5 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The liability relating to future rent payments and other monthly amounts associated with vacating the remaining portion of the Company's leased premises, located at 1221 Avenue of Americas, was $3.3 million and $5.7 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

As of September 30, 2012, future minimum annual lease and service payments for the Company were as follows:

	Equipment Leases (a)		Service Payments		Facility Leases (b)
	(dollars in thousands)
2012	$	825	$	2,445	$	4,503
2013	3,301		10,920		17,560
2014	1,548		7,935		15,396
2015	1,051		2,030		12,310
2016	194		194		11,421
Thereafter	—		—		53,607
	$	6,919	$	23,524	$	114,797

(a) Equipment Leases include the Company's commitments relating to operating and capital leases. See Note 15 for further information on capital lease minimum payments.

(b) The Company has entered into various agreements to sublease certain of its premises. The Company recorded sublease income related to these leases of $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1.0 million and $0.3 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Clawback Obligations

For financial reporting purposes, the general partners have recorded a liability for potential clawback obligations to the limited partners of a real estate fund, due to changes in the unrealized value of the fund's remaining investments and where the fund's general partner has previously received carried interest distributions.

The actual clawback liability, however, does not become realized until the end of a fund's life. The life of the real estate funds with a potential clawback obligation, including available contemplated extensions, are currently anticipated to expire at the end of 2013. Further extensions of such terms may be implemented under certain circumstances. As of September 30, 2012, the clawback obligations were $6.2 million. (See Note 20).

The Company serves as the general partner/managing member and/or investment manager to various affiliated and sponsored funds. As such, the Company is contingently liable for obligations for those entities. These amounts are not included above as the Company believes that the assets in these funds are sufficient to discharge any liabilities.

Unfunded Commitments

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had unfunded commitments of$6.4 millionpertaining to capital commitments intworeal estate investments held by the Company, all of which pertain to related party investments. Such commitments can be called at any time, subject to advance notice. The Company, as a limited partner of the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds and also as a member of Healthcare Royalty Partners General Partner, has committed to invest $42.2 millionin the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds which are managed by Healthcare Royalty Management. This commitment is expected to be called over atwo tofive year period. The Company will make its pro-rata investment in the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds along with the other limited partners. ThroughSeptember 30, 2012, the Company has funded$26.3 million towards these commitments. In April 2011, the Company committed$15.0 millionto Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP, which may increase or decrease over time with the performance of Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP. As ofSeptember 30, 2012, the Company's unfunded commitment to Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP is $2.9 million.

Litigation

In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries and current and former officers, directors and employees (the "Company and Related Parties") are named as defendants in, or as parties to, various legal actions and proceedings. Certain of these actions and proceedings assert claims or seek relief in connection with alleged violations of securities, banking, anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, employment and other statutory and common laws. Certain of these actual or threatened legal actions and proceedings include claims for substantial or indeterminate compensatory or punitive damages, or for injunctive relief.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company and Related Parties are also subject to governmental and regulatory examinations, information gathering requests (both formal and informal), certain of which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. Certain affiliates and subsidiaries of the Company are investment banks, registered broker-dealers, futures commission merchants, investment advisers or other regulated entities and, in those capacities, are subject to regulation by various U.S., state and foreign securities, commodity futures and other regulators. In connection with formal and informal inquiries by these regulators, the Company and such affiliates and subsidiaries receive requests, and orders seeking documents and other information in connection with various aspects of their regulated activities.

Due to the global scope of the Company's operations, and its presence in countries around the world, the Company and Related Parties may be subject to litigation, and governmental and regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal), in multiple jurisdictions with legal and regulatory regimes that may differ substantially, and present substantially different risks, from those the Company and Related Parties are subject to in the United States.

The Company seeks to resolve all litigation and regulatory matters in the manner management believes is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and contests liability, allegations of wrongdoing and, where applicable, the amount of damages or scope of any penalties or other relief sought as appropriate in each pending matter.

In accordance with the US GAAP, the Company establishes reserves for contingencies when the Company believes that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company discloses a contingency if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred and there is no reserve for the loss because the conditions above are not met. The Company's disclosure includes an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss for those matters, for which an estimate can be made. Neither reserve nor disclosure is required for losses that are deemed remote.     

The Company appropriately reserves for certain matters where, in the opinion of management, the likelihood of liability is probable and the extent of such liability is reasonably estimable. Such amounts are included within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and currently available information and involve a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the type and nature of the litigation, claim or proceeding, the progress of the matter, the advice of legal counsel, the Company's defenses and its experience in similar cases or proceedings as well as its assessment of matters, including settlements, involving other defendants in similar or related cases or proceedings. The Company may increase or decrease its legal reserves in the future, on a matter-by-matter basis, to account for developments in such matters.

In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of various claims against the Company, particularly where the matters are in early stages of discovery or claimants seek indeterminate damages, the Company cannot reasonably determine the possible outcome, the timing of ultimate resolution or estimate a range of possible loss, or impact related to each currently pending matter. Based on information currently available, the Company believes that the amount of reasonably possible losses will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition or cash flows. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such proceedings, losses may be material to the Company's operating results in a future period, depending in part, on the operating results for such period and the size of the loss or liability imposed.

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Regulatory Requirements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Brokers and Dealers [Abstract]

Regulatory Requirements

Regulatory Requirements

As registered broker‑dealers, Cowen and Company, Cowen Capital LLC (formerly known as LaBranche Capital, LLC) and ATM USA are subject to the SEC's Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the “Rule”), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Under the alternative method permitted by the Rule, Cowen and Company's minimum net capital requirement, as defined, is$1.0 million. Under the basic method permitted by the Rule, Cowen Capital LLC is required to maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equivalent to the greater of $1.0 million or 6.667%of aggregate indebtedness.ATM USA is required to maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equivalent to the greater of$5,000 or 6.667%of aggregate indebtedness.The broker-dealers are not permitted to withdraw equity if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. As of September 30, 2012, Cowen and Company had total net capital of approximately$31.1 million, which was approximately $30.1 million in excess of its minimum net capital requirement of$1.0 million. As of September 30, 2012, Cowen Capital, LLC had total net capital of approximately$3.1 million, which was approximately$2.1 millionin excess of its minimum net capital requirement of$1.0 million. As of September 30, 2012, ATM USA had total net capital of approximately $0.6 million, which was approximately $0.5 millionin excess of its minimum net capital requirement of $0.1 million.

Cowen and Company, Cowen Capital LLC and ATM USA are exempt from the provisions of Rule 15c3-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as its activities are limited to those set forth in the conditions for exemption appearing in paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of the Rule.

Proprietary accounts of introducing brokers (“PAIB”) held at the clearing broker are considered allowable assets for net capital purposes, pursuant to agreements between Cowen and Company and Cowen Capital LLC and the clearing broker, which require, among other things, that the clearing broker performs computations for PAIB and segregates certain balances on behalf of Cowen and Company and Cowen Capital LLC, if applicable.

Ramius UK Ltd. (“Ramius UK”) and Cowen International Limited (“CIL”) are subject to the capital requirements of the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) of the UK. Financial Resources, as defined, must exceed the requirement of the FSA. As of September 30, 2012, Ramius UK's Financial Resources of$0.6 millionexceeded its minimum requirement of$0.2 million by $0.4 million. As of September 30, 2012, CIL's Financial Resources of$4.5 millionexceeded its minimum requirement of$2.3 million by $2.2 million.

Cowen and Company (Asia) Limited (“CCAL”) (formerly known as Cowen Latitude Advisors Limited) is subject to the financial resources requirements of the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) of Hong Kong. Financial Resources, as defined, must exceed the Total Financial Resources requirement of the SFC. As of September 30, 2012, CCAL's Financial Resources of $0.7 millionexceeded the minimum requirement of $0.4 million by $0.3 million.

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Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Securities Owned at Fair Value (Details) (USD $)					3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended						9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended					9 Months Ended																		12 Months Ended												9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Other Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Other Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Other Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Other Income [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] US Government Securities [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] US Government Securities [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] US Government Securities [Member] Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] US Government Securities [Member] Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] US Government Securities [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member] Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member] Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member] Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Convertible Bonds [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Convertible Bonds [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Convertible Bonds [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Convertible Bonds [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Options Held [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Options Held [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Derivative [Member] Receivables from Brokers-Dealers and Clearing Organizations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Derivative [Member] Receivables from Brokers-Dealers and Clearing Organizations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Warrants and Rights [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Warrants and Rights [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Credit Default Swaps, Futures and Equity Swap Contracts [Member] Other Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Credit Default Swaps, Futures and Equity Swap Contracts [Member] Other Assets [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Futures and Equity Swap Contracts [Member] Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Futures and Equity Swap Contracts [Member] Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Operating Entities [Member] Mutual Funds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Operating Entities [Member] Mutual Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Consolidated Funds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Consolidated Funds [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Consolidated Funds [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Consolidated Funds [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Consolidated Funds [Member] Commercial Paper [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Consolidated Funds [Member] Commercial Paper [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Consolidated Funds [Member] Government Sponsored Securities [Member]		Dec. 31, 2011 Consolidated Funds [Member] Government Sponsored Securities [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Consolidated Funds [Member] Government Sponsored Securities [Member] Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Consolidated Funds [Member] Government Sponsored Securities [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Consolidated Funds [Member] Government Sponsored Securities [Member] Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Consolidated Funds [Member] Government Sponsored Securities [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Enterprise Master [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Enterprise Master [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Enterprise Master [Member] Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Enterprise Master [Member] Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Enterprise Master [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Enterprise Master [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Enterprise Master [Member] Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Enterprise Master [Member] Preferred Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Enterprise Master [Member] Private Equity [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Enterprise Master [Member] Private Equity [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Enterprise Master [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Enterprise Master [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Enterprise Master [Member] Rights [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Enterprise Master [Member] Rights [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Enterprise Master [Member] Warrant [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Enterprise Master [Member] Warrant [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Enterprise Master [Member] Currency Forwards [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Enterprise Master [Member] Currency Forwards [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Enterprise Master [Member] Trade Claims [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Enterprise Master [Member] Trade Claims [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Derivative, Fair Value, Net																																																														$ 8,000	$ 53,000															$ 8,000	$ 53,000
Debt securities									95,038,000	[1]	182,868,000	[1]				168,021,000	[2]	231,864,000	[2]					18,130,000	[3]	50,854,000	[3]																							1,594,000	[4]	3,927,000	[4]	1,501,000	[5]	2,006,000	[5]
Equity Securities																														300,990,000	250,380,000	26,543,000	55,699,000			4,436,000	2,759,000					2,890,000	3,214,000																					66,000	0	2,353,000	2,173,000	823,000	1,027,000	294,000	276,000	18,000	47,000	1,755,000	2,173,000	3,000	3,000			128,000	128,000
Financial Instruments, Owned, Corporate Debt, at Fair Value																																														401,000	[6]	0	[6]
Securities owned, at fair value	648,772,000	744,914,000	648,772,000	744,914,000																																								3,095,000	6,334,000																	5,440,000	5,827,000
Debt securities, interest rate													0.25%	0.25%	8.00%					4.52%	3.13%	13.50%	13.50%	2.75%				1.38%	5.75%																	0.58%												0.32%	0.32%	1.74%	1.74%
Derivative Assets																																						1,100,000	800,000
Derivative liabilities																																								100,000	800,000
Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to derivatives trading activities					1,300,000	800,000	1,100,000	600,000
Collateral posted																																		$ 11,000,000	$ 8,100,000

[1] As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from November 2013 to August 2014 with interest rate of 0.25%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from November 2013 to November 2021 and interest rates ranged between 0.25% and 8%.

[2] As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from January 2013 to February 2041 and interest rates ranged between 4.52% and 13.50%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from January 2012 to February 2041 and interest rates ranged between 3.13% and 13.50%.

[3] As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from October 2014 to June 2017 and interest rates ranged between 1.38% and 5.75%. As of December 31, 2011, the maturity was August 2027 with an interest rate of 2.75%.

[4] As of September 30, 2012, commercial paper was purchased at a discount and matures on October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, commercial paper was purchased at a discount and matured on January 3, 2012.

[5] As of September 30, 2012, maturities ranged from October 2012 to February 2014 and interest rates ranged between 0.32% and 1.74%. As of December 31, 2011, maturities ranged from October 2012 to October 2013 and interest rates ranged between 0.32% and 1.74%.

[6] As of December 31, 2011, the maturity was April 2012 with an interest rate of 0.58%.

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The computation of earnings per share is as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(11,618		)	(43,930		)	(15,761		)	(20,553		)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(1,033		)	(783		)	(1,225		)	2,473
Net income (loss) from continuing operations less Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(10,585		)	(43,147		)	(14,536		)	(23,026		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(5,087		)	—			(5,087		)
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Weighted average shares used in basic computation	114,989			115,664			114,587			89,118
Stock options	—			—			—			—
Restricted stock	—			—			—			—
Weighted average shares used in diluted computation	114,989			115,664			114,587			89,118
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.26	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—			(0.04		)	—			(0.06		)
Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.37	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.26	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—			(0.04		)	—			(0.06		)

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (15,761)	$ (25,640)
Foreign currency translation	126	(352)
Prior service cost arising during period	15	15
Net gain/(loss) arising during period	235	(152)
Pension adjustment	(250)	137
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	376	(489)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (15,385)	$ (26,129)

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Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies

a. Basis of presentation

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) related to interim financial statements. Results for interim periods should not be considered indicative of results for any other interim period or for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, included in the Form 10-K of Cowen Group as filed with the SEC on March 9, 2012. The financial information contained herein is unaudited; however, management believes all adjustments have been made that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by US GAAP. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain fund entities that are consolidated in these condensed consolidated financial statements, as further discussed below, are not subject to these consolidation provisions with respect to their own investments pursuant to their specialized accounting.

The Company serves as the managing member/general partner and/or investment manager to affiliated fund entities which it sponsors and manages. Funds in which the Company has a controlling financial interest are consolidated with the Company pursuant to US GAAP as described below. Consequently, the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of these funds on a gross basis. The ownership interests in these funds that are not owned by the Company are reflected as redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The management fees and incentive income earned by the Company from these funds are eliminated in consolidation.

b. Principles of consolidation

The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting operating entity ("VOE") or a variable interest entity ("VIE") under US GAAP.

Voting Operating Entities—VOEs are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders at risk have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance. VOEs are consolidated in accordance with US GAAP.

Under US GAAP, the usual condition for a controlling financial interest in a VOE is ownership of a majority voting interest. Accordingly, the Company consolidates VOEs in which it owns a majority of the entity's voting shares or units. US GAAP also provides that a general partner of a limited partnership (or a managing member, in the case of a limited liability company) is presumed to control the partnership, and thus should consolidate it, unless a simple majority of the limited partners has the right to remove the general partner without cause or to terminate the partnership. In accordance with these standards, the Company presently consolidatessevenfunds deemed to be VOEs for which it acts as the general partner and investment manager.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company consolidates the following funds (the “2012 Consolidated Funds”): Ramius Enterprise LP (“Enterprise LP”), Ramius Multi‑Strategy Master FOF LP (“Multi‑Strat Master FOF”), Ramius Vintage Multi‑Strategy Master FOF LP (“Vintage Master FOF”), Ramius Levered Multi‑Strategy FOF LP (“Levered FOF”), and RTS Global 3X Fund LP (“RTS Global 3X”). As of December 31, 2011, the Company consolidated the following funds (the “2011 Consolidated Funds”): Enterprise LP, Ramius Multi‑Strategy FOF LP (“Multi‑Strat FOF”), Ramius Vintage Multi‑Strategy FOF LP (“Vintage FOF”), Levered FOF and RTS Global 3X. Effective January 1, 2012, Multi-Strat FOF and Vintage FOF collapsed their operations into their respective master funds, Multi-Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF due to a winding down decision earlier adopted by the Boards of Directors of the respective funds. This resulted in the Company's voting shares or units being held directly at the master funds level and thus consolidating them. Collectively the 2012 Consolidated Funds and the 2011 Consolidated Funds are referred to as the Consolidated Funds.

The Company also consolidates RCG Linkem II LLC, an investment company that was formed to make an investment in a wireless broadband communication provider in Italy, and Cowen Bluebird LLC, an investment company that was formed to make an investment in a company which works on the development of innovative gene therapies for severe genetic disorders. The Company determined that RCG Linkem II LLC and Cowen Bluebird LLC are VOE's due to its controlling equity interests held through the managing member and/or affiliates, and control exercised by the managing member who is not subject to substantive removal rights.

Variable Interest Entities—VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a VOE. In accordance with US GAAP, an enterprise must consolidate all VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. Under the US GAAP consolidation model for VIEs, an enterprise that (1) has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impacts the VIE's economic performance, and (2) has an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and thus is required to consolidate it.

However, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has deferred the application of the revised consolidation model for VIEs that meet the following conditions: (a) the entity has all the attributes of an investment company as defined under AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, or does not have all the attributes of an investment company but is an entity for which it is acceptable based on industry practice to apply measurement principles that are consistent with investment companies, (b) the reporting entity does not have explicit or implicit obligations to fund any losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity, and (c) the entity is not a securitization entity, asset‑backed financing entity or an entity that was formerly considered a qualifying special‑purpose entity. The Company's involvement with its funds is such that allthreeof the above conditions are met. Where the VIEs have qualified for the deferral, the analysis is based on previous consolidation rules. These rules require an analysis to (a) determine whether an entity in which the Company holds a variable interest is a variable interest entity and (b) whether the Company's involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (e.g., management and performance related fees), would be expected to absorb a majority of the VIE's expected losses, receive a majority of the VIEs expected residual returns, or both. If these conditions are met, the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and thus is required to consolidate it. Under both guidelines, the Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a variable interest entity and reconsiders that conclusion on a periodic basis.

The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by performing a periodic qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of the VIE that includes a review of, among other things, its capital structure, contractual agreements between the Company and the VIE, the economic interests that create or absorb variability, related party relationships and the design of the VIE. As of September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011, the Company does not consolidate any VIEs.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company holds a variable interest in Ramius Enterprise Master Fund Ltd (“Enterprise Master”) (the “2012 Unconsolidated Master Fund”) throughoneof its Consolidated Funds, Enterprise LP. As of December 31, 2011, the Company held a variable interest in Enterprise Master, Multi‑Strat Master FOF and Vintage Master FOF (the “2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds”) throughthreeof its Consolidated Funds: Enterprise LP, Multi‑Strat FOF and Vintage FOF (the “2011 Consolidated Feeder Funds”), respectively. Investment companies, which account for their investments under the specialized industry accounting guidance for investment companies prescribed under US GAAP, are not subject to the consolidation provisions for their investments. Therefore, the Company has not consolidated the 2012 or 2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds. Collectively the 2012 Unconsolidated Master Funds and the 2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds are referred to as the Unconsolidated Master Funds.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company also sponsors various other entities that it has determined to be VIEs. These VIEs are primarily funds and real estate entities for which the Company serves as the general partner, managing member and/or investment manager with decision-making rights.

The Company does not consolidate any of these funds or real estate entities that are VIEs as it has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary in each instance. Fund investors are entitled to all of the economics of these VIEs with the exception of the management fee and incentive income, if any, earned by the Company. The Company's involvement with funds and real estate entities that are unconsolidated VIEs is limited to providing investment management services in exchange for management fees and incentive income. Although the Company may advance amounts and pay certain expenses on behalf of the funds and real estate entities that it considers to be VIEs, it does not provide, nor is it required to provide, any type of substantive financial support to these entities outside of regular investment management services.

The total assets and liabilities of the variable interest entities for which the Company has concluded that it holds a variable interest, but for which it is not the primary beneficiary, are$217.2 millionand$1.7 millionas of September 30, 2012and$259.2 millionand$2.0 millionas ofDecember 31, 2011, respectively. In addition, the maximum exposure relating to these variable interest entities as ofSeptember 30, 2012was$175.4 million, and as ofDecember 31, 2011was$211.0 million, all of which is included in other investments, at fair value in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The exposure to loss primarily relates to the respective 2012 or 2011 Consolidated Feeder Funds' investment in their respective 2012 or 2011 Unconsolidated Master Funds as ofSeptember 30, 2012and December 31, 2011. See Note 6 for further information regarding the Company's investments.

Equity Method Investments—For operating entities over which the Company exercises significant influence but which do not meet the requirements for consolidation as outlined above, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. The Company's investments in equity method investees are recorded in other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company's share of earnings or losses from equity method investees is included in net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Company evaluates for impairment its equity method investments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. The difference between the carrying value of the equity method investment and its estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment charge when the loss in value is deemed other than temporary.

Other—If the Company does not consolidate an entity, apply the equity method of accounting or account for an investment under the cost method, the Company accounts for all securities which are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term as trading securities in accordance with US GAAP, at fair value with unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Retention of Specialized Accounting—The Consolidated Funds are investment companies and apply specialized industry accounting for investment companies. The Company has retained this specialized accounting for these funds pursuant to US GAAP. The Consolidated Funds report their investments on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at their estimated fair value, with unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and other transactions. Accordingly, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect different accounting policies for investments depending on whether or not they are held through a consolidated investment company. In addition, the Company's broker‑dealer subsidiaries, Cowen and Company, LLC (“Cowen and Company”), Cowen Capital LLC, Cowen International Limited ("CIL"), Cowen International Trading Limited (“CITL”), Cowen and Company (Asia) Limited (“CCAL”), and Cowen Structured Products Hong Kong Limited (“CSPH”), apply the specialized industry accounting for brokers and dealers in securities also prescribed under US GAAP. The Company also has retained this specialized accounting in consolidation.

c. Use of estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of securities and other investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, the accounting for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to conform with current period presentation.

d. Valuation of investments and derivative contracts

US GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). Thethreelevels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has

the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2     Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including

inputs in markets that are not considered to be active; and

Level 3 Fair value is determined based on pricing inputs that are unobservable and includes situations where there is little,

if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The determination of fair value for assets and liabilities in this

category requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Inputs are used in applying the various valuation techniques and broadly refer to the assumptions that market participants use to make valuation decisions, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may include price information, volatility statistics, specific and broad credit data, liquidity statistics, and other factors. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. However, the determination of what constitutes “observable” requires significant judgment by the Company. The Company considers observable data to be that market data which is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market. The categorization of a financial instrument within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the instrument and does not necessarily correspond to the Company's perceived risk of that instrument.

The Company and its operating company subsidiaries act as the manager for the Consolidated Funds. Both the Company and the Consolidated Funds hold certain investments which are valued by the Company, acting as the investment manager. The fair value of these investments is generally estimated based on proprietary models developed by the Company, which include discounted cash flow analysis, public market comparables, and other techniques and may be based, at least in part, on independently sourced market information. The material estimates and assumptions used in these models include the timing and expected amount of cash flows, the appropriateness of discount rates used, and, in some cases, the ability to execute, timing of, and estimated proceeds from expected financings. Significant judgment and estimation goes into the selection of an appropriate valuation methodology as well as the assumptions used in these models, and the timing and actual values realized with respect to investments could be materially different from values derived based on the use of those estimates. The valuation methodologies applied impact the reported value of the Company's investments and the investments held by the Consolidated Funds in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Certain of the Company's investments are relatively illiquid or thinly traded and may not be immediately liquidated on demand if needed. Fair values assigned to these investments may differ significantly from the fair values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed and such differences could be material.

The Company primarily uses the “market approach” to value its financial instruments measured at fair value. In determining an instrument's level within the hierarchy, the Company separates the Company's financial instruments intothreecategories: securities, derivative contracts and other investments. To the extent applicable, each of these categories can further be divided between those held long or sold short.

Securities—Securities whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, and are therefore classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, include active listed equities, certain U.S. government and sovereign obligations, ETF's and certain money market securities. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

Certain positions for which there is a limited market, consisting primarily of convertible debt, corporate debt and loans, are stated at fair value. The estimated fair values assigned by management are determined in good faith and are based on available information considering, among other things, quotations provided by published pricing services, counterparties and other market participants, and pricing models using quoted inputs, and do not necessarily represent the amounts which might ultimately be realized. Such positions that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources which are supported by observable inputs are classified within level 2. As level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets and/or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability.

Derivative contracts—Derivative contracts can be exchange‑traded or privately negotiated over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange‑traded derivatives, such as futures contracts and exchange traded option contracts, are typically classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether or not they are deemed to be actively traded. OTC derivatives, such as generic forwards, swaps and options, have inputs which can generally be corroborated by market data and are therefore classified within level 2. Futures, equity swaps and credit default swaps are included within other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and all other derivatives are included within securities owned, at fair value on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Other investments—Other investments consist primarily of portfolio funds, real estate investments and equity method investments, which are valued as follows:

i. Portfolio funds—Portfolio funds (“Portfolio Funds”) include interests in funds and investment companies managed by the Company or its affiliates. The Company follows US GAAP regarding fair value measurements and disclosures relating to investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent). The guidance permits, as a practical expedient, an entity holding investments in certain entities that either are investment companies as defined by the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, or have attributes similar to an investment company, and calculate net asset value per share or its equivalent for which the fair value is not readily determinable, to measure the fair value of such investments on the basis of that NAV per share, or its equivalent, without adjustment.

The Company categorizes its investments in Portfolio Funds within the fair value hierarchy dependent on its ability to redeem the investment. If the Company has the ability to redeem its investment at NAV at the measurement date or within the near term, the Portfolio Fund is categorized as a level 2 investment within the fair value hierarchy. If the Company does not know when it will have the ability to redeem its investment or cannot do so in the near term, the Portfolio Fund is categorized as a level 3 investment within the fair value hierarchy.See Notes 6 and 7 for further details of the Company's investments in Portfolio Funds.

ii. Real estate investments—Real estate investments are valued at fair value. The fair value of real estate investments are estimated based on the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between marketplace participants at the measurement date. Real estate investments without a public market are valued based on assumptions and valuation techniques used by the Company. Such valuation techniques may include discounted cash flow analysis, prevailing market capitalization rates or earnings multiples applied to earnings from the investment, analysis of recent comparable sales transactions, actual sale negotiations and bona fide purchase offers received from third parties, consideration of the amount that currently would be required to replace the asset, as adjusted for obsolescence, as well as independent external appraisals. In general, the Company considers several valuation techniques when measuring the fair value of a real estate investment. However, in certain circumstances, a single valuation technique may be appropriate. Real estate investments are reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Company for significant changes at the property level or a significant change in the overall market which would impact the value of the real estate investment resulting in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

The Company also reflects its real estate equity investments net of investment level financing. Valuation adjustments attributable to underlying financing arrangements are considered in the real estate equity valuation based on amounts at which the financing liabilities could be transferred to market participants at the measurement date.

Real estate and capital markets are cyclical in nature. Property and investment values are affected by, among other things, the availability of capital, occupancy rates, rental rates and interest and inflation rates. In addition, the Company invests in real estate and real estate related investments for which no liquid market exists. The market prices for such investments may be volatile and may not be readily ascertainable. Amounts ultimately realized by the Company from investments sold may differ from the fair values presented, and the differences could be material.

The Company's real estate investments are typically categorized as a level 3 investment within the fair value hierarchy as management uses significant unobservable inputs in determining their estimated fair value.

See Notes 6 and 7 for further information regarding the Company's investments, including equity method investments, and fair value measurements.

e. Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

The Company uses securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“Repurchase Agreements”) as part of its liquidity management activities and to support its trading and risk management activities. In particular, securities purchased and sold under Repurchase Agreements are used for short-term liquidity purposes. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 Repurchase Agreements are secured predominantly by liquid corporate credit and/or government issued securities. The use of Repurchase Agreements will fluctuate with the Company's need to fund short term credit or obtain competitive short term credit financing. The Company's securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were transacted pursuant to agreements with multiple counterparties as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Collateral is valued daily and the Company and its counterparties may adjust the collateral or require additional collateral to be deposited when appropriate. Collateral held by counterparties may be sold or re-hypothecated by such counterparties, subject to certain limitations sometimes imposed by the Company. Collateralized Repurchase Agreements may result in credit exposure in the event the counterparties to the transactions are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. The Company minimizes the credit risk associated with this activity by monitoring credit exposure and collateral values, and by requiring additional collateral to be promptly deposited with or returned to the Company when deemed necessary.

f.    Deferred Rent

Deferred rent primarily consists of step rent, allowances from landlords and valuing the Company's lease properties in accordance with US GAAP. Step rent represents the difference between actual operating lease payments due and straight-line rent expense, which is recorded by the Company over the term of the lease, including the build-out period. This amount is recorded as deferred rent in the early years of the lease, when cash payments are generally lower than straight-line rent expense, and reduced in the later years of the lease when payments begin to exceed the straight-line expense. Landlord allowances are generally comprised of amounts received and/or promised to the Company by landlords and may be received in the form of cash or free rent. These allowances are part of the negotiated terms of the lease. The Company recorded a receivable from the landlord and a deferred rent liability when the allowances are earned. This deferred rent is amortized into income (through lower rent expense) over the term (including the pre-opening build-out period) of the applicable lease, and the receivable is reduced as amounts are received from the landlord. Liabilities resulting from valuing the Company's leased properties acquired through business combinations are quantified by comparing the current fair value of the leased space to the current rental payments on the date of acquisition. Deferred rent, included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is $14.0 million and $15.3 million, respectively.

g.    New accounting pronouncements

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In July 2012, the FASB issued guidance for testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. The guidance permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset, other than goodwill, is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. The update does not revise the requirement to test indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment, or more frequently if deemed appropriate. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that this update will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In December 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance which will enhance disclosures required by US GAAP by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (1) offset or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset. This information will enable users of an entity's financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity's financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with certain financial instruments and derivative instruments. An entity is required to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Company already discloses the derivative transactions and repurchase / resale agreements on a gross basis on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and is currently evaluating the impact of the other disclosure requirements required under the amended guidance.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

In May 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance clarifying how to measure fair value and requires additional disclosures regarding fair value measurements. The amendments, among other things, prohibit the use of blockage factors at all levels of the fair value hierarchy, provide guidance on measuring financial instruments that are managed on a net portfolio basis, and clarify guidance on the application of premiums and discounts in measuring fair value. Additional disclosure requirements include the disclosure of transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, and for Level 3, fair value measurements, a description of the valuation processes and additional information regarding unobservable inputs affecting Level 3 measurements. The amendments were effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2012. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to present the components of net income, the components of other comprehensive income and the total of comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In addition, in December 2011, the FASB issued additional guidance which indefinitely deferred the provision that requires the entity to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented. The adoption of these amendments did not have any impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows since the changes are limited to presentation of other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance simplifying how entities test goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to assess qualitative factors in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under US GAAP. This was effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2012. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have any impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

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Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds - Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	$ 210,705		$ 334,251
Operating Companies [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	8,058
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	699,993		788,977
Liabilities at fair value	210,827		335,008
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	420,240		491,607
Liabilities at fair value	210,745		333,337
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	249,375		274,942
Liabilities at fair value	82		1,671
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	30,378		22,428
Liabilities at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	8		165,197
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	8		165,197
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	61		1,529
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	61		1,529
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	195,911		123,877
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	195,911		123,875
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	0		2
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	0	0	0	0	0	0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Warrants and Rights [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	0	3	0	0	0	0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Futures [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	101		617
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Futures [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	101		617
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Futures [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Futures [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Swap [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities			140
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Swap [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities			0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Swap [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities			140
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Swap [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities			0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	21
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	21
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Options [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	14,725		43,648
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Options [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	14,725		43,648
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Options [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Options [Member] | Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	95,038		182,868
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	95,038		182,868
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Convertible Bonds [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	50,854		18,130
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Convertible Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Convertible Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	50,854		18,130
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Convertible Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	168,021		231,864
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	168,021		231,864
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	300,990		250,380
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	297,987		248,598
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	43		713
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	2,960	959	1,069	812	953	334
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Warrants and Rights [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	4,436		2,759
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Warrants and Rights [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	374		1,225
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Warrants and Rights [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Warrants and Rights [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	4,062	2,844	1,534	1,354	3,534	1,977
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	2,890		3,214
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	2,890		3,214
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Futures [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	653		172
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Futures [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	653		172
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Futures [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Futures [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Equity Swap [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets			635
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Equity Swap [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets			0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Equity Swap [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets			635
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Equity Swap [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets			0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	418
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	418
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Options [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	26,543		55,699
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Options [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	23,298		55,530
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Options [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	3,245		169
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Derivative Assets [Member] | Options [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	47,287		40,350
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	26,794		23,431
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	20,493	19,876	16,919	13,909	17,744	17,081
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Real Estate Investments [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	2,102		2,353
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Real Estate Investments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Real Estate Investments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Real Estate Investments [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	2,102	2,079	2,353	2,307	2,289	1,882
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	761		553
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Operating Companies [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	761	731	553	501	501	313
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	208,190		235,154
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	1,501		2,006
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	12,032		12,406
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets at fair value	194,657		220,742
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	1,501		2,006
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	1,501		2,006
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | US Government Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value			401
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value			0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value			401
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value			0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	1,594		3,927
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	1,594		3,927
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	198,235		221,480
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	10,438		8,078
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Portfolio Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	187,797	209,507	213,402	219,156	239,588	311,242
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member] | Total Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	6,860		7,340
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	0		0
Consolidated Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Lehman Claim [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments at fair value	$ 6,860	$ 6,538	$ 7,340	$ 7,195	$ 7,320	$ 6,243

XML

Defined Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Components of net periodic benefit cost included in employee compensation and benefits
Service cost	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Interest cost	53	60	159	198
Expected return on plan assets	(60)	(71)	(176)	(207)
Amortization of (loss) / gain	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost	5	5	15	15
Effect of settlement	(17)	1	(20)	(30)
Net periodic benefit cost	$ (19)	$ (5)	$ (22)	$ (24)

XML

Related Party Transactions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions

The Company acts as managing member, general partner and/or investment manager to the Ramius managed funds, Healthcare Royalty Management, LLC, and the Healthcare Royalty Partners funds, and certain managed accounts. Management fees and incentive income are primarily earned from affiliated entities. Fees receivable primarily represents the management fees and incentive income owed to the Company from these related funds and certain affiliated managed accounts. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, $10.7 million and $14.9 million, respectively, included in fees receivable are earned from related parties.

The Company may, at its discretion, reimburse certain fees charged to the funds that it manages to avoid duplication of fees when such funds have an underlying investment in another affiliated investment fund. For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012, the Company reimbursed the funds that it manages $0.2 million, For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company reversed the previously recorded reimbursed fees of $0.2 million. For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company reimbursed the funds that it manages $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively, which were recorded net in management fees and incentive income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, related amounts still payable were $1.4 million and $3.4 million, respectively, and were reflected in fees payable in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

As a result of a business combination in 2004, Ramius Alternative Solutions LLC acquired receivables of $9.6 million and assumed liabilities of a corresponding amount relating to various agreements with investors. Such amounts have been recorded in fees receivable and due to related parties, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The remaining balance yet to be paid was $0.4 million and $1.0 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Of such amounts outstanding as of September 30, 2012, $0.2 million will be paid in 2012.

The Company may also make loans to employees or other affiliates, excluding executive officers of the Company. These loans are interest bearing and settle pursuant to the agreed-upon terms with such employees or affiliates and are included in due from related parties in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, loans to employees of $5.5 million and $5.3 million, respectively, were included in due from related parties on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. For the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011 the interest income was insignificant for these loans and advances. The remaining balance included in due from related parties primarily relates to amounts due to the Company from affiliated funds and real estate entities due to expenses paid on their behalf.

In April 2011, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Starboard Value LP (see Note 6), whereby the Company can loan up to $3.0 million to Starboard Value LP at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.75% (payable quarterly) with a maturity of March 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2012, $1.5 million is included in due from related parties in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition. For the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, interest charged for this loan was not significant.

Included in due to related parties is approximately $0.2 million and $0.3 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, related to a subordination agreement with an investor in certain real estate funds. This total is based on a hypothetical liquidation of the real estate funds as of the balance sheet date.

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Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Employee Stock Option [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Employee Stock Option [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Employee Stock Option [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Employee Stock Option [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Equity Plans [Member] Non-employee Director [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Common Stock Class A	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock Class A	Sep. 30, 2012 Common Stock Class A Restricted Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding															113,962,889	114,047,637
Share-based compensation, shares outstanding																	420,276
Shares available for issuance under compensation plan, in shares													1,100,000	336,895
Computation of earnings per share:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (11,618)	$ (43,930)	$ (15,761)	$ (20,553)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(1,033)	(783)	(1,225)	2,473
Net income (loss) from continuing operations less Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	(10,585)	(43,147)	(14,536)	(23,026)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0	$ (5,087)	$ 0	$ (5,087)
Shares for basic and diluted calculations:
Weighted average shares used in basic computation	114,989,000	115,664,000	114,587,000	89,118,000
Shares attributable to share-based payment awards					0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Weighted average shares used in diluted computation	114,989,000	115,664,000	114,587,000	89,118,000
Earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.26)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.26)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)

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Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Future Minimum Annual Lease and Service Payments

As of September 30, 2012, future minimum annual lease and service payments for the Company were as follows:

	Equipment Leases (a)		Service Payments		Facility Leases (b)
	(dollars in thousands)
2012	$	825	$	2,445	$	4,503
2013	3,301		10,920		17,560
2014	1,548		7,935		15,396
2015	1,051		2,030		12,310
2016	194		194		11,421
Thereafter	—		—		53,607
	$	6,919	$	23,524	$	114,797

(a) Equipment Leases include the Company's commitments relating to operating and capital leases. See Note 15 for further information on capital lease minimum payments.

(b) The Company has entered into various agreements to sublease certain of its premises. The Company recorded sublease income related to these leases of $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $1.0 million and $0.3 million for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The taxable results of the Company's U.S. operations are included in the consolidated income tax returns of the Company as well as stand-alone state and local tax returns. The Company has subsidiaries that are resident in foreign countries where tax filings have to be submitted on a stand-alone basis. These subsidiaries are subject to tax in their respective countries and the Company is responsible for and, thus, reports all taxes incurred by these subsidiaries. The countries where the Company owns subsidiaries are United Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg, Gibraltar, Japan, Hong Kong, and China.

The Company calculates its U.S. tax provision using the estimated annual effective tax rate methodology. The tax expense or benefit caused by an unusual or infrequent item is recorded in the quarter in which it occurs. The Company uses the discrete methodology to calculate its income tax provision for its foreign subsidiaries. Based on these methodologies, the Company's effective income tax rate was (3.26)% and 40.87% for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, the unusual or infrequent item whose tax impact was recorded discretely was primarily related to the tax provisions of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.

For the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2012, the effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to an increase in the Company's valuation allowance, stock compensation and other nondeductible expenses.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35% primarily because of the recognition of deferred tax benefits that resulted from the acquisition of a Luxembourg reinsurance company with deferred tax liabilities; the non-taxable bargain purchase gain recorded as a result of the acquisition of LaBranche; stock compensation; non-deductible syndication costs; other non-deductible expenses, and an increase in the Company's valuation allowance. The Luxembourg reinsurance company, which carried deferred tax liabilities, was acquired by a consolidated subsidiary of the Company as part of a reinsurance service program and this subsidiary recorded a deferred tax benefit upon the acquisition of the reinsurance company pursuant to an Advance Tax Agreement.

The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax benefit or expense that will result from differences between the carrying value of its assets for income tax purposes and for financial reporting purposes, as well as for operating or capital loss and tax credit carryovers. A valuation allowance is recorded to bring the net deferred tax assets to a level that, in management's view, is more likely than not to be realized in the foreseeable future. This level will be estimated based on a number of factors, especially the amount of net deferred tax assets of the Company that are actually expected to be realized, for tax purposes, in the foreseeable future. As of September 30, 2012 the Company recorded a valuation allowance against substantially all of its net deferred tax assets.

The Company is subject to examination by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the United Kingdom Inland Revenue Service and state and local and foreign tax authorities in jurisdictions where the Company has significant business operations, such as New York. In 2011, the Company concluded the IRS audit for the tax years 2006 through 2009 with no proposed changes by the IRS.

The Company intends to permanently reinvest the capital and accumulated earnings of its foreign subsidiaries in the respective subsidiary, but repatriates the current earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to the United States to the extent such repatriation is permissible under local regulatory rules. The undistributed earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries totaled $3.5 million as of September 30, 2012. The tax liability that would arise if these earnings were remitted to the United States is approximately $0.2 million.