Investments (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2012
Investments Table [Abstract]  
Summary of investments
 (in thousands) 2012  2011
 Investment securities, trading:        
  Corporate debt securities $ -  $ 4,832 
  Consolidated sponsored funds   157,405    143,517 
  Separately managed accounts   32,848    44,860 
  Total investment securities, trading   190,253    193,209 
 Investment securities, available-for-sale   31,148    39,841 
 Investment in non-consolidated CLO entity   350    278 
 Investments in equity method investees   257,652    46,900 
 Investments, other   7,530    7,507 
 Total investments(1) $ 486,933  $ 287,735 
           
 (1) Excludes the Company's investment in its consolidated CLO entity, which is discussed in Note 9. 
Summary of investments classified as trading securities
 (in thousands) 2012  2011
 Debt securities $ 70,805  $ 85,222 
 Equity securities   119,448    107,987 
 Total investment securities, trading $ 190,253  $ 193,209 
Summary of investments classified as available-for-sale securities
 2012    Gross Unrealized   
 (in thousands)Cost Gains Losses Fair Value
  Sponsored funds$ 22,331 $ 8,835 $(18) $ 31,148

 2011    Gross Unrealized   
 (in thousands)Cost Gains Losses Fair Value
  Sponsored funds$ 34,368 $ 5,518 $(45) $ 39,841
Summary of realized gains and losses upon disposition of sponsored funds classified as available-for-sale
 (in thousands)201220112010
 Gains$ 348$ 3,212$ 3,108
 Losses  (440)  (2,626)  (60)
 Net realized (losses) gains $ (92)$ 586$ 3,048
Summary of investments in equity method investees
   Equity Ownership Interest (%) Carrying Value ($)(1)
   October 31, October 31,  October 31,  October 31,
 (dollar amounts in thousands)2012 2011  2012  2011
 Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein          
  All Asset Strategy Fund44%  - $ 23,341 $ -
 Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund48%  -   16,494   -
 AGF Floating Rate Income Fund21%  -   15,334   -
 Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond         
  Strategies Long Term Fund31%  -   10,346   -
 Eaton Vance Parametric Structured          
  Currency Fund33%  -   1,043   -
 Eaton Vance Parametric Option          
  Absolute Return Strategy Fund - 27%   -   19,298
 Eaton Vance Parametric Structured          
  Commodity Strategy Fund - 47%   -   9,190
 Total    $ 66,558 $ 28,488
            
 (1) The carrying value of equity method investments in sponsored funds is measured based on the funds’ net asset values. The
  Company has the ability to redeem its investments in these funds at any time.
Summary of financial information on equity method investees.
    2012  2011
        Other      
 (in thousands) Hexavest   Investees  Total  Total
 Balance Sheet             
 Total assets $ 25,182  $ 363,539 $ 388,721 $ 323,126
 Total liabilities   11,544    14,351   25,895   415

   2012  2011  2010
       Other          
(in thousands) Hexavest   Investees  Total  Total  Total
Statement of Income(1)                
Revenue $ 10,691  $ 8,788 $ 19,479 $ 20,609 $ 41,715
Operating income   6,060    5,286   11,346   1,469   5,069
Net income   4,714    34,339   39,053   93,896   3,741
                 
(1) Statement of income figures are included only for the time in which the investees were accounted for under the equity method.