Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 51,910	$ 73,602
Restricted cash	21,311	0
Marketable securities	138,457	178,485
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0	28,016	25,355
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,228	5,870
Deferred income taxes	1,696	0
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	31
Total current assets	245,618	283,343
Property and equipment, net	107,187	105,890
Goodwill	30,864	67,530
Intangible assets, net	35,782	44,438
Other investments	28,525	25,844
Investments in equity method investees ($24,355 at fair value in 2014)	30,060	8,339
Deferred income taxes	80	1,556
Other long-term assets	1,238	1,754
Total assets	479,354	538,694
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,936	4,754
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	8,916	7,763
Financial instrument obligations	21,311	0
Current portion of long-term debt	13,214	13,214
Current portion of capital lease obligations	412	412
Convertible senior subordinated notes	0	346
Deferred income taxes	85	3,612
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	450	987
Total current liabilities	48,324	31,088
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	177	572
Long-term debt, net of current portion	66,071	79,286
Deferred income taxes	3,549	0
Other long-term liabilities	3,715	3,813
Total liabilities	121,836	114,759
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock ($0.001 par value, 40,000 shares authorized; 14,220 and 14,508 shares issued in 2014 and 2013, respectively; 11,406 and 12,005 shares outstanding in 2014 and 2013, respectively)	14	14
Additional paid-in capital	267,444	274,826
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(18,730)	6,516
Retained earnings	190,160	213,967
Treasury stock, at cost (2014 - 2,814 shares; 2013 - 2,503 shares)	(81,355)	(71,001)
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	357,533	424,322
Non-controlling interest	(15)	(387)
Total stockholders' equity	357,518	423,935
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 479,354	$ 538,694