Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 1,730,365	$ 1,683,252	$ 1,692,422
Expenses:
Compensation and related costs	793,681	626,513	604,631
Distribution expense	141,170	150,239	165,033
Service fee expense	115,211	107,762	106,831
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	24,986	22,593	18,394
Fund-related expenses	42,441	40,357	37,602
Other expenses	238,636	214,917	204,729
Total expenses	1,356,125	1,162,381	1,137,220
Operating income	374,240	520,871	555,202
Non-operating income (expense):
Gains and other investment income, net	3,243	51,040	10,066
Interest expense	(23,940)	(23,795)	(23,629)
Other income (expense) of consolidated collateralized loan obligation (CLO) entities:
Gains and other investment income, net	36,123	70,272	16,882
Interest and other expense	(55,201)	(59,350)	(15,286)
Total non-operating income (expense)	(39,775)	38,167	(11,967)
Income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates	334,465	559,038	543,235
Income tax expense	(83,900)	(135,252)	(156,703)
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates, net of tax	(117,231)	9,090	11,373
Net income	133,334	432,876	397,905
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling and other beneficial interests	5,182	(32,841)	(15,967)
Net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders	$ 138,516	$ 400,035	$ 381,938
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 1.26	$ 3.63	$ 3.33
Diluted	$ 1.20	$ 3.50	$ 3.11
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	109,617	110,064	114,745
Diluted	115,735	114,388	122,932
Management Fees [Member]
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 1,514,388	$ 1,463,943	$ 1,459,186
Distribution And Underwriter Fees [Member]
Revenue:
Total revenue	77,056	85,612	97,371
Service Fees [Member]
Revenue:
Total revenue	131,724	123,073	122,231
Other Revenue [Member]
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 7,197	$ 10,624	$ 13,634