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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Total Equity (USD $)
Total
Total GCC Equity [Member]
Preferred Stock [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Add'l Paid in Capital [Member]
Treasury Stock [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011 $ 1,437,900,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest $ 1,325,400,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
$ 3,800,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
$ 600,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
$ 666,700,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
$ (136,500,000)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
$ 888,200,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
$ (97,400,000)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
$ 112,500,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011     76,000us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
49,698,000us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                  
Comprehensive income (loss) 4,600,000us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest (2,900,000)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
        4,300,000us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
(7,200,000)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
7,500,000us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Preferred stock dividend (300,000)us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash (300,000)us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
        (300,000)us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
   
Stock option and RSU expense 10,000,000us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue 10,000,000us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    10,000,000us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Exercise of stock options 100,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised 100,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    100,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Exercise of stock options, shares       14,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Treasury shares related to nonvested stock vesting (800,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued (800,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
      (800,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
     
Treasury shares related to nonvested stock vesting, shares       (25,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Amortization of nonvested shares 2,300,000bgc_AmortizationOfNonvestedShares 2,300,000bgc_AmortizationOfNonvestedShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    2,300,000bgc_AmortizationOfNonvestedShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Excess tax benefits (deficiencies) from stock-based compensation (600,000)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet [1] (600,000)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    (600,000)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest (3,500,000)bgc_DividendsPaidToNonControllingInterest               (3,500,000)bgc_DividendsPaidToNonControllingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Repurchase of common shares (1,200,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue (1,200,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
      (1,200,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
     
Repurchase of common shares, shares       (50,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Other (300,000)bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther (300,000)bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    (1,800,000)bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
1,500,000bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
    0bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Other, shares       56,000bgc_ShareholdersEquityOtherShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012 1,448,200,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 1,331,700,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
3,800,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
600,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
676,700,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
(137,000,000)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
892,200,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
(104,600,000)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
116,500,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012     76,000us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
49,693,000us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                  
Comprehensive income (loss) (24,700,000)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest (25,300,000)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
        (17,800,000)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
(7,500,000)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
600,000us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Common stock dividends paid (26,700,000)us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash (26,700,000)us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
        (26,700,000)us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
   
Preferred stock dividend (300,000)us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash (300,000)us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
        (300,000)us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
   
Stock option and RSU expense 12,000,000us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue 12,000,000us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    12,000,000us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Exercise of stock options 600,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised 600,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    (100,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
700,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
     
Exercise of stock options, shares       51,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Treasury shares related to nonvested stock vesting (1,000,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued (1,000,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
      (1,000,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
     
Treasury shares related to nonvested stock vesting, shares       (32,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Amortization of nonvested shares 1,000,000bgc_AmortizationOfNonvestedShares 1,000,000bgc_AmortizationOfNonvestedShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    1,000,000bgc_AmortizationOfNonvestedShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Excess tax benefits (deficiencies) from stock-based compensation (700,000)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet [1] (700,000)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    (700,000)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Purchase of noncontrolling interest (4,000,000)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions 8,200,000us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    8,200,000us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
      (12,200,000)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest (5,300,000)bgc_DividendsPaidToNonControllingInterest               (5,300,000)bgc_DividendsPaidToNonControllingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Repurchase of common shares (19,500,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue (19,500,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
      (19,500,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
     
Repurchase of common shares, shares       (597,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Conversion of Preferred Stock     (3,800,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
  3,800,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Conversion of Preferred Stock, shares     (76,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
384,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Other 200,000bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther 200,000bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    (1,300,000)bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
1,500,000bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
      
Other, shares       99,000bgc_ShareholdersEquityOtherShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013 1,379,800,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 1,280,200,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
600,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
699,600,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
(155,300,000)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
847,400,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
(112,100,000)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
99,600,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013     0us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
49,598,000us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                  
Comprehensive income (loss) (773,600,000)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest (778,900,000)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
        (627,600,000)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
(151,300,000)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
5,300,000us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Common stock dividends paid (35,400,000)us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash (35,400,000)us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
        (35,400,000)us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
   
Sale of Philippines (31,500,000)us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestDecreaseFromDeconsolidation               (31,500,000)us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestDecreaseFromDeconsolidation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Stock option and RSU expense 14,500,000us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue 14,500,000us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    14,500,000us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Exercise of stock options 300,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised 300,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    (100,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
400,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
     
Exercise of stock options, shares 19,700us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised     20,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Treasury shares related to nonvested stock vesting (1,800,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued (1,800,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
      (1,800,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
     
Treasury shares related to nonvested stock vesting, shares       (63,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesTreasuryStockReissued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Amortization of nonvested shares 200,000bgc_AmortizationOfNonvestedShares 200,000bgc_AmortizationOfNonvestedShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    200,000bgc_AmortizationOfNonvestedShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Excess tax benefits (deficiencies) from stock-based compensation (500,000)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet [1] (500,000)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    (500,000)us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Purchase of noncontrolling interest (700,000)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions (1,900,000)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    (1,900,000)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
      1,200,000us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest (6,200,000)bgc_DividendsPaidToNonControllingInterest               (6,200,000)bgc_DividendsPaidToNonControllingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Repurchase of common shares (30,700,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue (30,700,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
      (30,700,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
     
Repurchase of common shares, shares       (1,000,000)us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Other (1,200,000)bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther 6,100,000bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
    3,000,000bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
3,100,000bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
    (7,300,000)bgc_ShareholdersEquityOther
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Other, shares       128,000bgc_ShareholdersEquityOtherShares
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014 $ 513,200,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest $ 452,100,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_ParentMember
$ 0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
$ 600,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
$ 714,800,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
$ (184,300,000)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
$ 184,400,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
$ (263,400,000)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
$ 61,100,000us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014     0us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_PreferredStockMember
48,683,000us-gaap_SharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
[1] Cash inflows (outflows) recognized as financing and operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows