Supplemental Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]

Supplemental Financial Information

The following table presents unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2012 and 2011. These quarterly results reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results. Revenues and net income (loss) can vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to the nature of the Company's business activities.

Cowen Group, Inc.

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

	Quarter Ended
	March 31, 2012		June 30, 2012			Sept. 30, 2012			December 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
Total revenues	$	57,480	$	59,470		$	57,598		$	65,932
Net Income (loss) before income taxes	6,378		(10,189		)	(11,455		)	(8,243		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	142		191			163			(48		)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	6,236		(10,380		)	(11,618		)	(8,195		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—		—			—			—
Net Income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	2,241		(2,434		)	(1,033		)	1,154
Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	3,995	$	(7,946	)	$	(10,585	)	$	(9,349	)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.03	$	(0.07	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.08	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		—			—			—
Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.03	$	(0.07	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.08	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		—			—			—
Weighted average number of common shares:
Basic	114,281		114,561			114,989			113,939
Diluted	115,663		114,561			114,989			113,939

	Quarter Ended
	March 31, 2011		June 30, 2011			Sept. 30, 2011			December 31, 2011
	(in thousands)
Total revenues	$	64,245	$	58,679		$	61,959		$	50,395
Net Income (loss) before income taxes	1,043		4,541			(43,858		)	(60,336		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	163		(17,954		)	71			(2,353		)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	880		22,495			(43,929		)	(57,983		)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—		—			(5,087		)	(18,559		)
Net Income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	798		2,458			(783		)	3,354
Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders	$	82	$	20,037		$	(48,233	)	$	(79,896	)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.00	$	0.25		$	(0.37	)	$	(0.54	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		—			(0.04		)	(0.16		)
Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.00	$	0.26		$	(0.37	)	$	(0.54	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		—			(0.04		)	(0.17		)
Weighted average number of common shares:
Basic	74,160		76,330			115,664			95,532
Diluted	76,083		77,898			115,664			95,532