Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)		$ (14,263)	$ 75	$ (32,339)	$ 9,699
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(5)	16	(6)	30
Reclassification to realized gains		0	0	0	0
Net foreign currency translation adjustment	[1]	(5)	16	(6)	30
Gross unrealized gains on marketable securities, net of tax	[2]	(5,871)	(1,347)	(2,807)	10,071
Reclassification to realized losses (gains), net of tax	[3]	(567)	(1,345)	11,487	(3,784)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax		(6,438)	(2,692)	8,680	6,287
Comprehensive income (loss)		(20,706)	(2,601)	(23,665)	16,016
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest		(211)	(238)	79	99
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Steel Excel Inc.		(20,917)	(2,839)	(23,586)	16,115
Tax benefit on gross unrealized gains		3,279	0	1,572	0
Tax benefit (provision) on reclassifications to realized gains (losses)		$ 284	$ 0	$ (6,434)	$ 0

[1] No tax effect on cumulative translation adjustments

[2] Tax provision on gross unrealized gains: $3,279 $0 $1,572 $0

[3] Tax benefit on reclassifications to realized gains: $284 $0 $(6,434) $0