Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 31,085	$ (247,859)	$ (179,789)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	53,606	56,493	59,057
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	3,051	(27,156)	(32,593)
Provision for doubtful accounts	(405)	1,401	203
Share-based compensation	20,861	15,628	20,156
Fixed asset disposal	649
Non-cash restructuring charges, net	357	548	2,480
Goodwill and other asset impairment	101	274,285	229,317
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Cash restricted or segregated under regulations and other	(9,491)	11,700	(2,625)
Deposits with clearing organizations	(45,622)	(3,611)	(11,303)
Securities owned, at fair value	2,445	(4,689)	18,403
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	86,593	(230,137)	(6,671)
Receivables from customers	(72,989)	(59,252)	134,913
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	2,614	(22,905)	(18,079)
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	(315,724)	241,231	(59,605)
Payables to customers	276,846	15,595	(64,592)
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	(2,086)	4,695	(18,915)
Income taxes receivable/payable	12,148	(1,459)	(6,053)
Excess tax benefit	(510)
Other, net	1,663	2,284	2,755
Net cash provided by operating activities	45,192	26,792	67,059
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisition of subsidiaries and minority interests, net of cash acquired	(474)		(36,185)
Capital purchases	(33,549)	(33,424)	(22,857)
Capitalization of software development costs	(22,579)	(24,635)	(29,061)
Proceeds from sale of investments			2,095
Net cash used in investing activities	(56,602)	(58,059)	(86,008)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds of short-term bank loans, net	51,385	20,548	1,606
Proceeds from term loans			25,469
Repayments of term loans	(9,505)	(7,185)	(4,043)
Proceeds from interim funding facility		605
Proceeds from sales-lease back transactions	20,565	1,855	2,571
Debt issuance costs			(2,908)
Excess tax benefit	510
Common stock issued	177	2,674	9,753
Common stock repurchased	(28,169)	(23,457)	(38,928)
Shares withheld for net settlements of share-based awards	(4,532)	(2,817)	(5,984)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	30,431	(7,777)	(12,464)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,999)	731	(1,409)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16,022	(38,313)	(32,822)
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of year	245,875	284,188	317,010
Cash and cash equivalents-end of year	261,897	245,875	284,188
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	3,343	2,673	2,453
Income taxes (refunded) paid	$ (4,079)	$ 5,495	$ 15,508