Acquisitions - Pro Forma Financial Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Pro Forma Financial Information [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 36,901	$ 62,408
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	17,429	18,021
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(121)	(2,470)
Net income attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	$ 18,472	$ 17,767

The pro forma income from discontinued operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The pro forma income from continuing operations before changes in accounting and extraordinary items, net of tax effect, for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1392-128463

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- Definition

The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

+ References

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- Definition

The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

+ References

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