Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Non-Controlling Interest
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		14,220	2,814
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 357,518	$ 14	$ (81,355)	$ 267,444	$ (15,206)	$ 186,636	$ (15)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss attributable to Steel Excel Inc.	(32,260)					(32,260)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(79)						(79)
Other comprehensive income	8,674				8,674
Net issuance of restricted shares (in shares)		177
Net issuance of restricted shares	(32)			(32)
Stock-based compensation	2,338			2,338
Repurchases of common stock (in shares)			(231)
Repurchases of common stock	(4,612)		$ (4,612)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2015		14,397	3,045
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 331,547	$ 14	$ (85,967)	$ 269,750	$ (6,532)	$ 154,376	$ (94)