Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 300,289	$ 487,235
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operations:
Deferred income tax provision	39,704	263,133
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	19,159	26,247
Other amortization	17,093	23,894
Share-based compensation	1,829	3,892
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,361	2,484
Net securities gains	(229,891)	(424,936)
Income related to associated companies	(213,527)	(401,908)
Distributions from associated companies	9,766	10,660
Net gains related to real estate, property and equipment, and other assets	(448)	(4,352)
Income related to Fortescue's Pilbara project, net of proceeds received		62,812
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations	500
Net change in:
Receivables	(1,931)	(28,591)
Other assets	(2,820)	3,142
Trade payables, expense accruals and other liabilities	(105,320)	(65,983)
Other	(22)	(416)
Net cash used for operating activities	(163,258)	(42,687)
Net cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	(20,777)	(18,575)
Acquisitions of and capital expenditures for real estate investments	(1,011)	(1,248)
Proceeds from disposals of real estate, property and equipment, and other assets	14,985	1,979
Net change in restricted cash	86	4,676
Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations, net of expenses and cash of operations sold	1,422	(384)
Cash acquired upon acquisition of Jefferies Group LLC	3,017,958
Advances on notes and other receivables	(1,406)	(451)
Collections on notes, loans and other receivables	6,206	6,068
Investments in associated companies	(16,173)	(498)
Capital distributions and loan repayment from associated companies	7,229	8,886
Purchases of investments (other than short-term)	(353,965)	(558,688)
Proceeds from maturities of investments	271,363	75,162
Proceeds from sales of investments	185,008	1,022,731
Other	(245)
Net cash provided by investing activities	3,110,680	539,658
Net cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	114,048	70,433
Reduction of debt	(18,899)	(525,940)
Cash and Cash equivalents of Crimson Wine Group, Ltd. Which was spun off	(21,042)
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(119)
Dividends paid	(22,996)
Other	(3,953)	(4,663)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	47,039	(460,170)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,994,461	36,801
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1, including cash classified as assets of discontinued operations	145,960	168,490
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, including cash classified as assets of discontinued operations	3,140,421	205,291
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest	37,587	56,466
Income tax payments, net	7,732	14,941
Non-cash investing activities:
Common stock issued for acquisition of Jefferies Group LLC	3,376,939
Non-cash financing activities:
Net assets excluding cash and cash equivalents of Crimson Wine Group, Ltd., which was spun off	$ 175,958